The Dragonfly Painting – Knysna Lagoon Dragonfly and Arum Lily

Completed: 2024
Medium: Oils on wood panel with mirror mosaic frame

Set along the tranquil waters of the Knysna Lagoon, this painting looks toward the iconic Knysna Heads, where sea, sky and coastal wilderness meet. In the foreground, delicate arum lilies rise among lush foliage while vibrant dragonflies hover above the water.
A whale surfaces in the lagoon, adding life to the scene. Above the landscape, dramatic red clouds drift across the night sky, echoing the shape of the Chamaeleon Dark Cloud nebula, a celestial feature that introduces a cosmic dimension to the composition.
The work brings together terrestrial, marine and cosmic elements, creating a layered meditation on the interconnectedness of nature. Through luminous colour, reflective framing and carefully balanced composition, the painting honours both the real landscape of Knysna and the deeper sense of awe.