"Light & Texture" Artwork

My name is Natasha Taljaard, and I am based in Pretoria, South Africa. My artistic practice centres on contemporary ornamental and decorative drawing, using pen and mixed media on paper and board. I begin with a recognisable subject, such as a butterfly, and develop abstract shapes and lines from there. Selected works are digitally edited, allowing additional elements to be layered into the compositions. I was born and raised in Pretoria, where an early affinity for line and colour became a defining means of self-expression. I matriculated from Pro Arte High School, specialising in Design and Art, which fostered a lasting engagement with both digital graphic design and fine art. Although distinct, these interconnected disciplines have shaped my approach to both commercial work and mixed-media fine art practice. After completing a National Diploma in Textile Design in 1994, my work evolved through an exploration of organic forms, ornamental structures, and the rhythmic qualities found in nature. After many years I returned to creating art in my free time, in 2022 when I realised I neglected it. Alongside my fine art practice, I currently co-manage a Pretoria-based sublimation printing business, creating custom-designed clothing. Despite this parallel practice, drawing remains central to my work — always just a leaf of paper away. If the client chooses, each print can be individually hand-signed by me; alternatively, a unique digital signature is present on each artwork.