The year was 1974, mid July, on a farm in Apple Orchards, Walkerville, just South of Johannesburg I was born from a family of French origin. I was fortunate to be surrounded by gifted family members, among who were sculptors, painters, poets, photographers, graphic designers, clothing designers, architects, dancers and drama artists. I believe that this exposure to such a diversity of talents is what ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in art.

My grandparents lived with us on the farm. My grandmother taught art at the local primary school which I attended. She taught me the fundamentals of art and was most certainly my greatest influence while growing up. She loved to paint and sketch still life, be it people or landscapes while my grandfather was an abstract artist. Aside from the art lessons at school, my sister and I would get informal lessons at home. We would sit for hours and watch them sketch or paint. Even in our playtime, with not much around to amuse a child, we would play games by looking for faces in the clouds or the bark of a tree. I now realize that the trained eye of an artist starts at a young age and how fortunate I was to be surrounded by beauty, wilderness and talent. I have always had a passion for animals and the wilderness. My childhood dream was to become a game ranger. This same passion today gives me great joy to paint wildlife.

Through my schooling career and tertiary studies I continued to excel, receiving many awards as I furthered my artistic talents. After completing my high school studies I decided to move to Melkbosstrand, a quaint little town in the Western Cape . Here I found a market for painting wall murals, signboards, restaurant décor and other forms of advertising to supplement my income. I furthered my studies and received a diploma in Commercial Art. Still uncertain of my future career I decided upon a computer graphics course, which I completed and found employment with a small graphics company. Two years later I was put on short time. I used this opportunity to paint more regularly and focus on my true passion, wildlife. A few small galleries showed an interest in my work and even purchased several pieces. Shortly afterwards the company was liquidated. With no formal employment and unsure of the market for my art form, I opted to purchase some of the companies equipment in the hope of freelancing my services in graphic design. Much to my surprise the rising demand for my art pieces consumed all my time and the equipment just gathered dust.

 

It was by no means an easy start. As an artist, I first needed to develop a style before establishing myself in the market place. I use acrylic paint on leather and found this to be the best medium as it is flexible and the oil content is not too high thus the leather does not absorb too much paint. I then glaze the entire skin, which not only makes it water resistant but also enhances the colours. The glaze offers protection and I advise not to frame behind glass, as you will lose the affect of the leather. Furthermore I had to take on a second job to supplement my income. I still do other work today but it is purely to maintain a healthy balance between the isolation of art and interaction with other people. This distraction allows my passion for art to flare up, as I am eager to start my next piece.

My first wildlife paintings on leather were done in 1998 for my family's guesthouse in Bloubergstrand. As I compare those early pieces to my work today I can't help to feel a little bashful by the lack of detail but at the same time I am also completely bewildered by the way I have grown as an artist. A talent must be exercised to reach its full potential. This was the beginning of my career as a wildlife artist.

Although I adore my grandfather's abstract work, as they are rich in colour, mystery and life, and would love to produce a piece in this carefree style, it is not in my nature, I am still a realist. With each new painting I am constantly striving to improve on the previous one. I believe this stems from my parents who are perfectionists and instilled great discipline in the way I was raised. I must pay tribute to them for my precise attention to detail. I strive to sense the intensity of the wild in the animal's eyes or to feel the bristles of the fur coat as I reach out to touch it. To me this is the beauty of art. I am not selling a picture, but a part of myself, as I perceive the animal to feel. The way, in which we are raised and moulded with age, distinguishes us as individuals and is reflected in our own unique style.

Such is the diverse nature of an artist so to is the diverse nature of those who appreciate art. It is therefore my mission as an artist to reach out and touch those who share in my passion for wildlife combined with my unique display on a rustic leather canvass thus complimenting one another…….