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To Christelle art means freedom and to be an artist sets her free.

“At this current moment in time I strive to paint without any concept in mind. Just create. Just paint. After a 5 year leave of absence from oils, turps and Fabriano Artistico, I decided that change is as good as a holiday. The time to start again is now. 2012 became my year to create. I took the step of putting my art and myself out there and now there is no turning back.”

To understand her art is to know her. She had the privilege to grow up on a farm on the outskirts of Roodepoort called Vlakfontein. Surrounded by family, open plains, lusern fields, farm animals and huge akkerbome, she spent her days playing outside and developing a love for nature.

In 2002 she matriculated from Hoerskool Roodepoort where she was introduced to oil colours. After high school she studied Fine Art at TUT. She completed my B-Tech Fine Art Cum Laude in 2006 and specialized in drawing. In 2006 she was part of the Sasol New Signatures exhibition and in 2007 her work was selected for the Absa Atelier.

Her style leans more towards naturalism. Playing with the beauty of colour in subtle nuances and capturing the memory of the subject portrayed. She prefers to focus on single subjects, illuminating their beauty and adding a few feminine touches such as lace as I go along. My landscapes are soft and dreamy reminding one of somewhere you were once a nostalgic reminder of her visits to Nieu Bethesda in the Karoo. She loves the work of William Kentridge and is inspired by his charcoal drawings.

“The loves of my live are my amazing husband, my wonderful family, painting and reading. Each playing an integral part of my life and supporting and encouraging my vision as an artist.”