Elsje Wiid

South African born, passionate, strong, talented and she is filled with the need to create through painting and by entering the recesses of her mind and projecting that onto canvas. Her inspiration comes from life and her love for nature and people. "You cannot get that kind of feeling without knowing life." She experience the good and the bad, the pain and the pleasure, hope and despair equally...and this is what pours out during the painting process. Her art is almost like a diary for her soul. Her art reflects her inner being in hues and shades of emotion. The artist's heart and soul are witnessed in the work - it can never be any other way. The style varies from one painting to the next and her only consistency; is her love for it.

Elsje obtained her honours degree in graphic design, at the North West University of Potchefstroom, a diploma in photography and almost five years experience in teaching visual arts. After two successful solo exhibitions in South Africa, where the majority of the works were sold she set her sights on Europe, settled in the beautiful English countryside.

Her formal achievements are only a measuring stick and she would rather count her travels, the laughter, and her joy, the love that she has given and received. The rejection, pain, acceptance and pleasure and her tears for all of the above. "For these reasons I know that I am alive!"

2007 - Solo Exhibition "Solitude" - Johannesburg, South Africa
2008 - Solo Exhibition "Sins of the Flesh" - Johannesburg, South Africa
2009 - Group Exhibition - St. John's, London,
2010 - Group Exhibition - Pescia, Italy
2011 - Group Exhibition - Montecatini, Italy
2012 - Group Exhibition - Buggiano, Italy
2012 - Group Exhibition - Barcelona, Spain