The Early Years

I took an early interest in art and remember drawing from as young as 6 years of age on any paper I could find. In so doing, I’ve developed a lifelong passion for art.

In my early years, my drawings helped me to achieve success in school, by achieving a Third Place in a provincial Biology Project competition in Grade 8 and winning my first art competition, taking the overall prize for my landscape painting.

I grew up in Virginia, a small Free State town in South Africa, where I completed my schooling. I have no formal qualifications in art, as the subject was not part of the curriculum. Although I studied a Bachelor of Social Science degree and have an Advanced Diploma in Labour Law, my passion for art was kept alive by drawing regularly and completing several commissions.

The Definitive Turn toward Her Passion for Art

 

I moved to Johannesburg and worked in the Human Resources field for seven years and it was during this period that I received informal oil painting lessons from Nuccia de Paoli (Nuccia was commissioned to paint the portrait of Gen. Jan Smuts, which hangs in a gallery in London.)

I joined the Paint and Palette Society, based in Edenvale, Johannesburg and exhibited at several of the society’s exhibitions. After the birth of my twins, I left the Human Resources field and decided to take my art more seriously. I received several commissions, two of which were oil paintings of leopards, measuring 1.5 x 2.5 metres. One of the highlights of my career was receiving a commission by a corporation to paint the portrait of the late President Nelson Mandela.

A Love for Detail and Traditional Miniature Fine Art

 

Due to my love of rendering detail and realistic work, I was encouraged to try traditional miniature fine art*. I joined the Miniature Art Society of South Africa (MASSA) and working almost exclusively in pencil, exhibited at their annual exhibition at Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg. When exhibiting for the first time, I obtained one of the Highly Commended Awards and this subsequently ignited my passion for miniatures. I have exhibited at all their subsequent exhibitions and obtained further awards. https://miniatureartsocietyofsa.co.za/

In 2013, one of my works was voted “Best on Show” by the public, which is most satisfying of all. I currently assist the judging panel for their annual exhibition selection process and I regularly enter works internationally.

* “Miniature art has been in existence for centuries tracing its heritage back to the illustrated manuscripts of scribes in the Far East and Europe prior to the 15th century. Subjects should be rendered one-sixth their life-size or smaller. Foremost in importance in contemporary miniature art is the highly skilled and painstaking techniques should be evident upon viewing the artwork. This is often described as the work should hold up well under magnification”. (Association of Miniature Artists).

National and International Acclaim and Recognition

Miniature Art Society of South Africa (MASSA)

2009                Highly Commended

2010                Highly Commended

2012                Highly Commended

2013                Highly Commended and Best on Show

2014                Highly Commended for Best Pencil Drawing

2016                Highly Commended for two works

2017                Highly Commended

2018                Second for Drawing

2019                Highly Commended for Drawing

2020                First for Drawing

2022                First for Drawing and Second for Watercolour

World Federation of Miniature Exhibition (WFM)

2012                Best Drawing (Russia)

2016                Award of Excellence (South Africa)

Miniature Art Society of Florida (MASF), USA https://www.miniature-art.com/

2011                “Best Work by a Young Artist”.

2012                “First for Human Figure”,

2013                “Third for Drawing and Pastel”

2014                “First for Drawing and Pastel”

2018                “First for Drawing and Pastel”

2019                “Second place for Marine”

The Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society (MPSGS), Washington D.C

2012                Honourable Mention International

Elizabeth Specht Memorial Exhibition, USA

2012                First for Seascape

2015                Second for Marine

Artistic Designs Gallery, Brownsburg, USA

2016                Best Drawing

Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Engravers, UK. https://www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk/

2015                Group Award for Best Set of 5 or more paintings and Elizabeth Meek Award

2016                Gold Bowl Honourable Mention

2019                Gold Bowl Honourable Mention

2021                Best on Show at the Degrees of Realism Exhibition by the Drawing Guild

ASSOCIATESHIP & MEMBERSHIP

I obtained my Associate Membership (ARMS) of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers in 2013 and my full membership in 2016 (RMS).

I am a member of the Botanical Art Society of South Africa and my work was selected for the 2013 Kirstenbosch Biennale.

Three of my miniature paintings were sold at the exhibition entitled “A Million Brushstrokes” in the Llewellyn Alexander (Fine Paintings) Ltd. gallery in London.

PUBLICATIONS

A larger work (Pied Kingfisher) was published in the US publication Strokes of Genius 5: Composition and North Lights Books’ Art Journey Animals: A Collection of Inspiring Contemporary Masterworks.

I am also included in the 36th edition of the UK publication: Who’s Who in Art”.

A Personal Note on Philosophies, Aims and Ambitions

 

My aim and ambition is to produce beautiful works of art that inspire, fascinate and excite a response and to capture unique moments and beauty and share them in expressive detail.

I try to live and gain courage from Phillipians 4:13: “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me”.