Exploding This Reality Print

As an acrylic and mixed media artist based in Barrydale, South Africa, I create work that explores our deep, often forgotten, connection to the natural world. Living at the foot of the Tradouw Pass, surrounded by mountains, streams, and rich biodiversity, I am continually inspired by nature’s quiet wonders—delicate poppies, bees, dragonflies, birds, and ancient trees. These recurring subjects are not just visual elements in my work; they are symbolic of a deeper spiritual relationship between humans and the earth. My creative process often includes subtle incorporations of upcycled materials such as foil and paper. These elements serve as a quiet commentary on transformation—on how beauty can emerge from the discarded, and how even “waste” can find new purpose. It is a reflection of both environmental mindfulness and the alchemy of art. Through my paintings, I aim to evoke a sense of stillness and intimacy, inviting viewers to pause, notice, and remember their innate connection to the natural kingdom. I want my art to inspire a return to the senses—to the experience of watching a sunset, walking through a forest, sitting beside a stream, or listening to birdsong. These moments of presence are, I believe, essential acts of reverence in a world that too often forgets its roots. My practice extends beyond the canvas. As an avid gardener and steward of my land, I live my love for nature through daily acts of care—tending vegetables, feeding birds, and observing the cycles of life around me. My art is a continuation of this practice: a quiet offering and an open invitation to reconnect. I combine my love of art with my fervor to write and share my own personal development and experience. I also run my own YouTube art channel as well as my own site. I have been a regular columnist for Conscious Life News (2012-2018) and South Africa's holistic magazine, Odyssey (2016-2018). I am currently on the board of directors for a local NGO called 'Bright Haven' which helps neurodiverse children in the area as well as incorporating the CPU (child protective unit) and feeding programs in our town. I taught art and crafts for 5 years at my local youth upliftment center called, Net Vir Pret (which is Afrikaans for Just For Fun) from 2015 - 2020. Our main focus for these classes was to teach the children to make crafts from upcycled material. I grew up and was schooled in Fish Hoek.