Nutella on Toast, with a bite missing, Drawing #2 Drawing

Many a time, the little corner where I paint has been like a citadel, a place where I can escape & get lost in painting. There’s something about the painting process, something to do with the intense concentration & the quiet creativity involved, that gives an artist a sense of inner peace, for the most part anyway! I started painting in High school, mostly portraits and always with acrylics. Much later in life, I thought I’d try my hand at oils. Painting in oils can be tricky, & at times extremely frustrating, but despite that - or maybe because of it - it can be incredibly rewarding too. Having grown up on the North coast of South Africa (at that time, a wild, untamed coast line), & as part of a family who enjoyed safaris at every opportunity, it seemed only natural to change subject matter, from portraits to wildlife. However, more & more, I’m finding fresh inspiration from all around. Here in England, the first signs of spring can be seen with the appearance of cherry blossoms above, and yellow daffodils below.. all of which inspire me to paint flowers, for the moment. Life as an artist is wonderful. It’s a never-ending process of discovery. There is something new to be learned with every artwork, & I look forward to exploring it all. For videos of my artwork, search @marie_noelle_erasmus on TikTok, marie_noelle_erasmus on Instagram, Marie-Noëlle Erasmus on YouTube & facebook.com/mepaintings