Artist
Chris Schoonwinkel is one of our upcoming abstract oil artists with a talent for pallet knife painting. He is from Krugersdorp and said this about his art. "Creativity is not something learned, it's an inborn passion. From childhood I have created art : from paint on canvas , sketches, refurbishing old furniture to metal work - the passion to create art runs strongly through my veins. Art is the expression of our innermost ideas and desires and I revel in expressing myself to the fullest using oils applied with palette knives in rich and abundant colours and tactile textures. If others enjoy viewing my art as much as I enjoy creating it that completes the picture !"
Artist
Introducing Johan Kruger, a man born to be an artist. He is a multi medium artist and a plein air painter. With no formal training his paintings can be mistaken for photographs. He started his art career in 1997 a versatile artist who's work speaks for itself. Come and visit our gallery next month and enjoy the spectacular use of color and realistic form found in Johan Kruger's art.
Artist
Artist Biography Dawid Van Deventer a local retired art teacher, has the presence of art all around him. Just his ability to paint just about anything amazes you right from the start. His quiet, down to earth personality and warm sense of humor only adds to the charm this talented artist has. He started, what is now, a successful career as a art teacher. He has various beautiful artworks that catches the eye like his version of the very famous "Monalisa" and " The girl with the pearl earing". He specializes in portraiture and is a extremely talented artist.
Artist
While still in primary school Lucas Kumba joined the little artist project in 2007. He received the award for second place winner in the weber wentzel young artist of the year competition, most hardworking artist and highly commended. Lucas furthered his career through studies at Artist Proof studio, professional print making. He had exhibitions at Graham gallery, Johannesburg stock exchange, Deutsche bank, Mary Edwards house, Absa and Khyalami.
Artist
Green Punk Designs started just over five years ago. Always been a tinkerer at heart, I have had this inspiration of taking the old and the new and combining it into an art form using modern technology. Hence Steam Punk. Old Victorian Science fiction... I am like the American Pickers on steroids. Where normal people would go to shopping malls, I would go to scrap yards and demolition sites. Looking for old gears, wooden boxes, brass plates and whatever visually appeals to me. It is amazing how you can transform a gear and piece of plumbing pipe into a functional Art. I would say I border on the acentric. Love to watch the expressions on people’s faces when they see my work. Every item I make is functional and has purpose, very often interesting history. How cool is that ? No greater satisfaction for me than taken something redundant from a scrap heap and give it new purpose. Love what I do.
Artist
Biography Elma van der Walt About Elma (Kruger) van der Walt was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1975. She started a career as a Scientist in 1997 and later ventured into Health and Safety. Elma studied at Potchefstroom Unitersity of Christian Higher Education (now known as Noth West University) and completed an M.Sc. in Chemistry in (2001). Elma describes herself as an intellectual and creative mom stuck in a day job. She inherited her natural art talent mostly from her dad. At 16, Elma won an award in the Rand Water Child Art competition. The theme “Water is life” was translated into a watercolour painting of seagulls sitting in a harbour. Elma took art in Grade 11 and 12 as an extra subject. Being an additional subject, she did not have many classes and had to teach herself to hand in her practicals. She, however, did share the Art trophy in Matric with another learner. Elma started her art studies in 2016 under Ronel Potgieter after her husband gave her a year’s worth of art classes as a birthday gift. Before this, she was mainly self-taught and focused on drawings with pen and graphite. She started endeavouring into crafting and did a lot of mixed workshops. Elma started studying under Daleen Matheus in 2017 and Lucas de Wit in 2019. Elma’s first successful art exhibition was in 20I6, participated in two smaller exhibitions in 2018 and 2019. Elma believes in continuous learning and attends various types of art courses annually. Art is limitless, an endless opportunity to express yourself. When an artist sets themselves free from reality, there are infinite ways to express and invent your self. Four people played a significant role in forming her as an artist. These are: Her husband who supported her and initiated her dream; Her dad, an artist himself, to look beyond art as a sign of talent; Her most influential teacher, Lucas de Wit, impacting on her technique in the shortest space of time; The artist that makes her stand in front of a painting and feel what it says is Kariena Kolisko. Family and friendships are precious commodities, and her best memories are doing art exhibitions and workshops with her brothers, their wives, family and friends. These are awesome experiences that sustain one in hours of loss and loneliness. For many years Elma painted for herself to improve. Later she painted for stress relief and even later for trauma relief. Currently, she is on the journey of rediscovering her *Why” as an artist. She believes this is an ever-changing process that will end the day she dies. The biggest impact on her as a person and as an artist was in 2016/17 when in 12 months, she underwent three traumatic events. She was assaulted with the intent of serious bodily harm, her husband drowned while trying to save their daughter, and her father passed away. She slowly fought her way back to a new normal where art played a significant role. Elma practiced various art forms such as Oil, acrylic, watercolours and mixed media. She loves portraits the most as it describes emotions and yearnings that boils in her as an artist. She also makes teddie bears, mosaics, and beading. One of her dreams is to make signature artistic findings for jewellery in metal. She is planning to venture into mixed media and jewelry making with resin and start learning some basic wood and metalwork. Elma loves to teach and dabbles in craft workshops from time to time. In 2021 she formalised a dream and opened her craft studio. Elma also joined the Art Corner community and formally started her business Creative Calling. God gave her the talent to create and called her to use her talent, and may her candle shine bright for all to see. Artist Statement Emotions, yearnings, and faith are what inspired many great artists. As an artist, she wants to communicate these feelings through her art. She believes that one should be able to experience the emotions from the art. You must be lifted from reality and go on a journey without words. Capturing beautiful moments and communicating with colour and a picture to speak to someone’s longings is a desire that she tries to fulfil. If her work makes you feel and has taken you on a journey, make it your own. Price Range R 3 500 – 25 000. Email elma@vanderwalt.me Education Studied under Ronel Potgieter, Daleen Mattheus en Lucas de Wit.
Artist
Biography My name is Tinus Brits better known as Tonka. Tonka is a nick name that was given to me by my grandfather, and up until this day my family still call me by Tonka. I am a South African artist; born on the 23rd of August 1983. I am residing with my beautiful little family in Brandfort, in the Free State. Besides being an artist I am a musician also, I simply love art and music which is both forms of art. I am a self taught artist, and only started painting in 2019. Many would ask why I only started painting then, well the answer to that is it was at that time of my life an avenue I simply had to explore. You see my son Duncan Brits was born on the 13th of September 2014. Me and my wife Lena Brits was blessed with such a little blessing on that day. When Duncan was about the age of three we noticed that he missed some milestones such as talking. We would call out to him and he would not react to his name. We initially thought that he might have hearing problems. We had his hearing tested, and no problems could be found with his hearing. We took him to a developmental pediatrician; and it is then that we were informed that Duncan was autistic. At first we didn't know what to do, but eventually found him a special needs school. We also had to get him to speech therapy. Financially it hit us hard to cater for all Duncan's needs. I asked God how will we possibly be able to cope with this financially? I almost got the answer immediately, He told me that I can paint. I knew my whole life that I can draw, but to think that I will now have to paint art to sell! It was unknown territory for me, but I simply had to try. I got my very first art commission in February 2019, and when I finished the painting to the client she started to weep and cry. I immediately did not know what to make of the situation!? I asked the client if it is tears of joy or sadness, she looked at me and told me that the piece is so beautiful that she could not control her emotions. That was a relief, it gave me the confidence to continue. I continued painting, selling my work was never really a problem for me. For that I am always grateful to our Heavenly Father. During that same year, a gentleman , and now a dear friend of mine by the name of Buddy Sears approached me after seeing some work of mine on social media. He asked me if I would interested to appear in the international art magazine, and off course I said yes. Later on that year I was nominated to be published in the international art magazine. In 2020 another gentleman with the name of Earl Large approached me to know if he could publish two of my works in his poetry bundle, and again I said yes. I could do with the publicity. This art journey for me is exciting, it is my escape from the stresses and worries of everyday life. Art for me is like breathing, without it I will cease to exist. I love to create art; to create something that could lift someones spirit.
Artist
Biography As a child, Leon Senekal always use to do pencil sketches and in grade eight had art as a subject. He then proceeded to take art lessons in all mediums withTea Lemmer. His course in texidermy led to his love for animals and birds. He completed a full photography course in klerksdorp.