Mekhala Van Der Schyff

I am a South African artist, currently based in the beautiful Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route. This is where I spend my days painting, drawing, walking and playing music. Some of my original artworks can currently be seen at the Natural Edge in Sedgefield, at Milkwood Gallery in Plettenberg Bay, and at Quarry Lake Estate in Wittedrift. My works are also for sale at the "African Portrait" gallery on the Long Street, in Cape Town.

I was born in 1975 in District 6, in Cape Town, South Africa. For as long as I can remember, I was drawing, and it seems that the ability to create images is my gift. I work with most all conventional mediums (chalk, charcoal, oil paints...), and enjoy creating images of people and wildlife, and particularly people of traditional African tribes. In my portraiture I try not only to portray natural beauty, but also emotions and desires, the aspects that lie within us all.

I live simply and I have a great reverence for nature. I have a deep passion for art and believe that all of life is art. Therefore, my passion is living, and my art is just an extension of who I am. We are all born with unique, individual abilities or gifts - let us honor them!

I completed a 3-year Graphic Design Course, however, the urge to explore the fine arts, was overwhelming. I am self-taught, and my most important lessons are the ones learnt during the time spent working at my easel.