Art Blog For July 2007
30 July 2007
South African artist Diane Erasmus primarily paints landscapes, seascapes and floral compositions. The floral element in her work extends beyond still life into the realms of flowers in nature.
Her approach to colour is both vivid and atmospheric with a generally impressionistic feel. The paintings are composed with a view to their specific compositional needs and requirements.
She paints in oils and acrylics on stretched canvas.
Painting for her is not only a powerful form of self-expression, but also a very important means of communicating both visually and spiritually with those who are exposed to her work.
More info on this South African artist
23 July 2007
South African artist Suzanne Du Toit was born in Pretoria, South Africa 1954, matriculated 1971 and spent the next 2 years travelling around Europe and studying art at the City of London Polytechnic. Suzanne Du Toit returned to South Africa and completed a degree in fine arts at the University of Pretoria, specializing in sculpture. Graduated 1977. Held a few exhibitions and held down various jobs including waitressing, signwriting and driving cranes. Suzanne Du Toit received a bursary from the Italian Embassy to study art in Perugia for 8 months. Returned to South Africa and spent 4 years in the paintshop of the Performing Arts Council of Transvaal (PACT) learning to paint and sculpt on a large scale. Left the theatre to work on movies, held exhibitions, did illustrations and met up with Lionel Levin and Partners interior designers in Johannesburg. Suzanne Du Toit worked on large projects such as the Carousel, Swakopmund Casino, the Windhoek Hotel, Sandton Towers, Michelangelo Hotel, The Sheraton Pretoria, Sheraton Albania, Caesar’s Casino and Montecasino.
In 2003 Suzanne Du Toit left the city and moved to a farm in Harkerville near Knysna with her life partner Anna-Marie de Vos and their children Nuschka and Reid. Built a house and a studio on their piece of paradise where they grow organic vegetables and look after a menagerie of animals.
More information on this South African artist
16 July 2007
South African artist Monica Du Toit’s background is in Industrial Engineering. She was born and educated in Pretoria. Art has always been a passion, but in the form of a hobby rather than being a full-time artist. After friends and family urged her to start selling her art Monica Du Toit has decided to start painting for a wider market, where previous paintings were specifically done for family and friends.
Monica Du Toit’s favorite subject is sunset landscapes with human activities to give life to the painting. The sunset’s colors provide the paintings with a vibrant warm feeling which animates any room.
9 July 2007
South African artist Guy Du Toit was born in 1958 in Rustenburg in the North West Province. He matriculated from Pretoria Boys High School in 1976 and graduated from the University of Pretoria in 1982. He was awarded his BA(FA) Degree with a distinction in sculpture. His work has been exhibited extensively, both locally and internationally. He has been consistently supported by private and public collectors, institutions, academics and fellow artists. He has been honoured with many awards and has in turn been invited to curate and adjudicate exhibitions. He has also lectured at a number of institutions, including Pelmama Academy in Soweto, Pretoria University, Johannesburg and Pretoria Technicons, and the Johannesburg School of Art, Ballet, Drama and Music.
Guy Du Toit has given workshops throughout South Africa and has been involved in community projects, seminars and symposia. The past few years have increasingly been spent on private and public commissions and in working closely with artists and businesses, especially those involved in design, communications, architecture, advertising and entertainment. Guy currently teaches part-time at the University of Pretoria and works fulltime from his new home and studio in Swavelpoort.
2 July 2007
This month sees the opening of many excellent art exhibitions in South Africa. Visit our art exhibitions page to plan your exhbitions visits for the the month of July.
I have been hard at work adding more art terms to our art dictionary and you are welcome to use our free art dictionary for your personal research. |
