Purchase Artworks - Art Investment Catalogue

In my reimagined artwork of the iconic Mona Lisa, I have transported her to the stunning landscapes of South Africa, with the majestic Drakensberg mountains looming in the background.

The original face and hands of Mona Lisa remain in monochrome, while the rest of the painting bursts with vibrant colours. I kept her original features in monochrome as a gesture of respect to her heritage and the original master artist Leonardo da Vinci.

Through this artwork, I seek to blend elements of Western art history with the rich cultural tapestry of South Africa, creating a harmonious fusion of traditions and symbols. The juxtaposition of the monochrome face with the vibrant colours and cultural references invites the viewer to reflect on themes of identity, heritage, and the interconnectedness of diverse cultures and different eras.

Mona is depicted wearing a traditional Voortrekker bonnet, a symbol of South African history, and a colourful kimono adorned with the warm hues of an African sunset.

In her hands, she holds a wooden spoon known as a "paplepel”, in this instance, showcasing the rich culinary traditions and a symbol for making friends (the tannies making and exchanging their “paptert” recipes at the braai - in Afrikaans there is a saying that goes “sy maak die pap dik aan” for making friends). She also holds a dishcloth, embodying elements of domestic life and everyday routines, making her quite ordinary and not the “grand auntie” from Europe.

Additionally, she holds a beautiful protea flower, the national flower of South Africa.

This reimagined Mona Lisa serves as a celebration of the beauty and diversity of South Africa, paying homage to parts of its history, customs, and natural splendour. It is a visual ode to the fusion of past and present, inviting viewers to contemplate their own story.

In my painting, I have reimagined the iconic scene of the Birth of Venus, infusing it with elements of the landscape of South Africa, grasslands and silhouettes of forests and mountains.

At the focal point of my painting the original monochrome body of Venus emerges not from the sea, but from a protea flower in full bloom, symbolising rebirth and beauty in a unique and unexpected way.

In my painting Venus becomes Magnifica (the Protea Queen), a mythical being, emerging from a magnificent king protea flower.

Magnifica's form is a stunning combination of flora and fauna, with a protea flower head as her crown and majestic ostrich feather wings extending from her back. Ostrich feathers have long been used symbolically to represent protection and safety.

Magnifica’s original (Venus) body is portrayed in monochrome mainly as a symbol of the past (and out of respect for her original creator and artist Sandro Botticelli) in contrast with the colourful surroundings.

By Venus's side stands a powerful cheetah, a symbol of speed, strength and grace. The cheetah embodies the wild and untamed spirit of nature and becomes Magnifica’s companion and guide.

Above Magnifica, two swallows soar through the sky, their graceful flight symbolising freedom and movement. They will navigate the road on which the duo need to travel.

The blending of realism and impressionism in my painting creates a dreamlike quality, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in a world where mythology and nature coexist harmoniously.

Through this artwork, I aim to capture the beauty and magic of the natural world, while also exploring themes of transformation and rebirth.

My painting serves as a visual poem, celebrating the wonders of the earth, stories and the eternal cycle of life.

The "Birth of Magnifica" is a symbol of beauty and resilience. As she blossomed from the protea, Magnifica radiated an aura of compassion and strength, embodying the essence of love, hope, fertility, and unity that would come to define her divine presence. She represents the spirit of the South African people.

She is welcomed by the Blue Crane bird, which supports her brave journey with its graceful wings. The Blue Crane, known for its loyalty, wisdom, and bravery recognises the significance of Magnifica's arrival and becomes her steadfast companion, guiding her through the challenges that lie ahead. Together, they embark on a transformative voyage that will inspire others to embrace their own inner magnificence and the power of unity and resilience.

A bluebird swoops in from the sky and joins the Blue Crane and Magnifica on their journey. With its vibrant blue feathers and cheerful song, the bluebird brings an added sense of joy and optimism to their adventure, reminding them to find beauty in every moment and to never lose sight of their ultimate purpose.

Their senses are flooded with a sense of anticipation and hope as they proceed along the path as a soft breeze carries the sweet scent of wind-swept pink cosmos flowers. The pink hue of the petals serves as a constant reminder to stay true to who they are while also reflecting their desire to grow personally and embrace new experiences.

They decide to stay near a river in the South African savanna, among the deep-rooted acacia trees, beneath a beautiful sunlit sky that stretches as far as the eye can see. The gentle rustling of leaves and the sound of flowing water provide a soothing backdrop to their daily lives, reminding them of the constant flow of time and the importance of remaining grounded in the present moment.

 “When I look into your eyes, darkness lights up and my heart is set on fire” 

Why fit in, when you can stand out?

Daydreamer

Observe and reflect, and become a little wiser every day. 

Orangutans are one of the world’s most endangered species due to deforestation and habitat loss.

The Flamingo symbolises beauty, grace, and freedom.

When life throws you lemons, laugh! The world is filled with sorrow and situations beyond our control. Life is not always easy, and many people struggle with depression and anxiety. This saying encourages people to maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity. It reminds us that we have the power to choose our response to difficult situations. In this painting, I created a close up of a little girl with the most beautiful laugh under a lemon tree. Despite the challenges we face, it's important to find moments of joy and hold onto them. 

The little girl's laughter reminds us that even in difficult times, there is still beauty and hope to be found. It is important to remember that laughter is a powerful tool that can help us cope with difficult situations. It can boost our mood, reduce stress, and even improve our physical health. I created this painting for mental health awareness and to remind people that sometimes all it takes is a good laugh to brighten up our day. Let's spread positivity and joy through laughter and make the world a happier place! 

So, when life throws you lemons, don't forget to laugh!

A stunning, regal creature that roams the continent of Africa is the rhino. Sadly, rhino poaching has compelled humans to dehorn rhinos in order to save their lives, taking away their cherished possession — their horn. In this painting the rhino’s horn is replaced with a watering can used for the purpose of a flowerpot. 

I want to emphasise the sad reality of bad human beings causing harm and good human beings on the other hand having to perform actions that are unnatural in order to prevent harm from being done. I want the audience to consider the repercussions of people's behaviour and what they could be hiding from themselves. What was once commonplace has changed. I wish that more of us would realise the significance of the issues that demand our support and attention. 

Beauty is only a perception based on each unique set of eyes. When you look at your reflection in the mirror you should do so with kind eyes, looking beyond the wrinkles and imperfections, and you will remain as youthful and beautiful as the essence of your soul.

Part of a Series of Three Paintings: Faith of Three Big Cats 

 The painting of a tiger looking up to the sky captures a sense of wonder and awe, as if the animal is contemplating something greater than itself. The warm brown and gold colors of the animal contrast beautifully against the soft green background, creating a visually stunning image that evokes a feeling of serenity and peace. The overall effect is one of harmony with nature and a deep appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us.

“When there is a moment to reflect, it's eyes meet the sky and it knows it's faith will allow it another glorious day.” 

Part of a Series of Three Paintings: Faith of Three Big Cats 

 The painting of a lion looking up to the sky captures a sense of wonder and awe, as if the animal is contemplating something greater than itself. The warm brown and gold colors of the animal contrast beautifully against the soft green background, creating a visually stunning image that evokes a feeling of serenity and peace. The overall effect is one of harmony with nature and a deep appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us. 

 “When there is a moment to reflect, it's eyes meet the sky and it knows it's faith will allow it another glorious day.” 

Part of a Series of Three Paintings: Faith of Three Big Cats 

 The painting of a leopard looking up to the sky captures a sense of wonder and awe, as if the animal is contemplating something greater than itself. The warm brown and gold colors of the animal contrast beautifully against the soft green background, creating a visually stunning image that evokes a feeling of serenity and peace. The overall effect is one of harmony with nature and a deep appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us. 

 “When there is a moment to reflect, it's eyes meet the sky and it knows it's faith will allow it another glorious day.” 

A series of three big cats looking up to the sky captures a sense of wonder and awe, as if the animals are contemplating something greater. The warm brown and gold colors of the animals contrast beautifully against the soft green background, creating a visually stunning image that evokes a feeling of serenity and peace. The overall effect is one of harmony with nature and a deep appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us. 

 “When there is a moment to reflect, it's eyes meet the sky and it knows it's faith will allow it another glorious day.” 

The painting is of a little girl wrapped in a field of flowers. The viewer is invited to share in her sense of wonder and possibility through her innocent eyes. We live in a fast paced, sometimes stressful world filled with many things that that cause anxiety and depression. With this painting I would like to remind the viewer to become aware of the self and find their inner child, where once was innocence, hopes and dreams. To become one with yourself, even if only for a moment, to be wrapped in a field of flowers and dreams.

The painting is of a beautiful woman with Koi fish. Koi fish are known to swim against the current and overcome great obstacles. Koi fish symbolise strength, courage, patience, and success through perseverance. In this painting, I wanted to express the beauty of femininity through the delicate and graceful movements of the koi fish. The vibrant colours and intricate details of the fish also represent the intricate and complex nature of femininity. Women are resilient, just like the koi fish, who are known for their ability to swim upstream against strong currents. Through this painting, I hope to inspire women to embrace their unique qualities and strengths and to celebrate the beauty of femininity in all its forms.

Capturing the soul of a leopard. Leopards symbolize strength, power, courage, determination and wisdom.

The lounging leopard rests easy in a tree taking in the fresh air and beauty of it’s surroundings in the African Savanna.

The baby elephant follows playfully in the footsteps of it’s majestic mother, safe and free.

Rugania Game Park is situated between Rustenburg and Koster in South Africa. The image is of one of the old houses called Rooidakhuis in Afrikaans (red roof house) which is situated on the farm. The farm is set in a beautiful landscape in the bushveld. There are many animals on the game farm running free and the farm is food for the soul, where one can escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the tranquility of the surrounding trees, grasslands, mountains, dams and rivers and go on game drives and hikes and enjoy watching the animals roaming around. It is one of my favourite places to visit.

The Flamingo symbolises beauty, grace, and freedom. The Flamingo's head and eye is the main focal point of the artwork, with its intricate details and striking color, drawing the viewers attention towards it. The unaccentuated feathers that wrap around the bird's body create a soft and subtle foreground that further highlights the beauty of its eye and presence. The Flamingo is portrayed against the background of green tropical leaves adding a natural and organic feel to the artwork, enhancing the bird's majestic appearance.

The Blue Flycatcher evokes a sense of tranquility and nature, with the flycatcher's stillness on the fence contrasting with the dynamic brushstrokes of its feathers. The warm yellow and black background further enhances the bird's vibrant hues, making it a stunning focal point of the artwork.