“To me art means freedom, and to be an artist sets me free”

In 2012 after a 5 year leave of absence from oils, turps and Fabriano Artistico, Christelle decided that a change is as good as a holiday. That the time to start again is now. 2012 became her year to create. She took the step of putting her art and herself out there and there was 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 highschool Christelle was introduced to oil colours. Which instantly became her painting medium of choice.  After high school she studied Fine Art at TUT and completed her 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.

A realist in life and art.

Christelle’s art mirrors her love for nature and she often depicts proteas, aloes and other plants indigenous to the South African landscape. Her work illuminates the beauty of these strong and robust flora. Playing with the beauty of colour in subtle nuances and capturing the memory of the subject portrayed. I prefer to focus on single subjects, illuminating their beauty and adding a few feminine touches such as lace.

 

Recent work leans more towards a clean and contemporary style. She strives to show all the steps, layers and processes, trying not to keep anything hidden from the viewer. The layers in the painting is a personification of the artists personality.

 

The different exposed layers become symbolic of the different phases in our own lives. Each phase representative of a specific time period and how we are shaped till we reach the end. Be that in life or a painting.

 

Christelle’s soft, yet striking work offers us a glimpse at the beauty the world has to offer.