Cape Town-based artist Kristi Marié Pretorius‘s latest series, Submerge, forms part of Thalassophobia – a personal exhibition that explores her fear and love of the ocean and fear and love of the Self.

Submerge is an extension of Kristi’s 2019 introduction to her weariness of open waters – a metaphor for a life characterised by waves that can both soothe and leave one gasping for air. Dreamy archipelagos are love notes to oceans envied: Kristi wishes, like herself, she could know the things that dwell beneath.

The series sees Kristi explore two different mediums, oil paint to create the richness of the deep blue sea from an aerial perspective and acrylic paint for a translucent quality that seeks to elicit the sensation of a current drawing one in. The interplay of mediums seeks to, at first, overwhelm the viewer with darkness – a symbol of existence’s inevitable pressures. What follows is a path toward the relief of light.

The gentleness of Submerge is an alchemy of vulnerability and anxiety transformed into peace and control; a journey of heartbreak, discovery and loss. The overarching message is: Taking a step back is often all we need to gain perspective about what lies ahead. For Kristi, the situation is the ocean – a source of both beauty and terror. Her perspective gained? “Take me to the deep end, I am ready.”

Love Kristi’s work? Check out the Q&A we did with her here.

Looking for more local art? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here, or take a look at our list of exhibitions and shows to see in 2022.

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Internationally recognised artist Lorraine Loots, best known for her intricately detailed miniature paintings, is launching a new project that’s three years in the making.

Inspired by the sentimental jewellery of 18th-century Europe, whereby lovers would gift their partners paintings of their eyes, Lorraine has pledged to create 1 000 contemporary versions of these paintings in the form of miniature watercolours that hang on gold pendants.

The idea came to Lorraine after her son was born. She had received an empty locket from her mother, a family heirloom, the year before and wanted to fill it with a miniature painting.

Created in collaboration with Australia-based South African jewellery designer Carla Maxine Germann, each pendant, available in either 9ct white, yellow or rose gold, will be engraved with a date of your choosing, the edition number (e.g. 100/1000) and Lorraine’s signature. The tiny paintings will be encased in Sapphire domed glass.

You can book a painting slot from 14 February 2020. For more information, visit lorraineloots.com.

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Cape Town-based artist Kristi Marié Pretorius creates soothing watercolour works depicting the ocean, forests and light, and the marriage between water, pigment and parchment.

As a child, Kristi watched her father paint dreamy landscapes, trying her best to copy him. At school she went against the pencil-heavy grain of her classmates and further explored watercolour as her chosen medium. When she moved from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, the eight-to-five office life as a graphic designer consumed her, leading her back to where she began, paintbrush in hand.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzFgtPenujK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

She started a small art business doing illustrations for nurseries, before moving on to selling paintings of wildlife, nudes and botanicals at the Old Biscuit Mill. After developing tendinitis in her hand from spending hours on intricate details in her wildlife paintings, she started creating more fluid, abstract works.

Kristi’s varying styles form narratives for her daily life. When she feels out of control, she finds solace in controlled, detailed works. When she’s care-free, she paints loosely across the canvas, documenting the abstract simplicity of a life lived in the present moment. Expect to see her prints on textiles, wallpaper, and even yoga mats, soon.

Love Kristi’s watercolours? You can purchase them via her online shop or find her at the Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town every Saturday from 9am – 3pm.

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After growing up in northern India, Cape Town-based artist and illustrator Sujay Sanan uses the Mother City’s natural surroundings as inspiration for his watercolours.

From playful otters and alien-like octopi to adorable dassies and cute klipspringers, Sujay captures the unique personalities of the local fauna, merging animals with the distinct landscapes and terrain of the Cape.

Sujay will be hosting a solo exhibition entitled A Place I Know at 6 Spin Street, Cape Town from 5pm on 31 October until 30 November 2018.

Here are 10 of VISI’s best from his Instagram account.

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Creative couple Nayan Chudasama, a furniture and interior designer, and Vaishali, an illustrator, have created a series of miniature paper-cut birds as part of their 365 days of Miniature Art project.

Each bird, which takes between four and six hours to complete, is made by combining different layers of cut paper, which are subsequently painted using watercolours, before being constructed by hand.

Started in January 2018, the duo creates one bird for every day, learning about each species along the way, something which they both thoroughly enjoy about the project.

You can buy Nayan and Vaishali’s pieces, which they sell under the brand name NVillustration, on Etsy. Follow NVillustration on Instagram to keep up to date with their latest creations.

(h/t) designboom.com

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Joburg-based artist Nelson Makamo creates striking portraits using charcoal, acrylic, watercolour, monotype, silk screen and oil.

He studied for three years at the Artist Proof Studio in Joburg, where he focused on print making, and has exhibited across the globe, including in South Africa, France, the US, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, The Netherlands and Scotland.

Preferring not to plan his pieces and rather use his current state in any given moment to guide his work, Nelson predominantly finds inspiration in children from rural areas in South Africa, with the strong belief that their faces encapsulate the peace and harmony people try to achieve in daily life. He believes that it is easy as adults to lose the wide-eyed wonder and joy experienced by a child.

See more of his work on Instagram or visit nelsonmakamo.com for more information.

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Local artist Willie Schlechter is known for his detailed and intricate plant illustrations and watercolours.

Born in Joubertina, a small Eastern Cape city, Willie later moved to Cape Town where he now teaches art and design at Stellenberg. He has received numerous awards including the Kirstenbosch Botanical Biennale, Cape Town (2010 – bronze, 2013 – bronze), World Orchid Conference, Pretoria (2015 – merit) and Botalia, Painted Flora, Lucca (2010 – silver).

We decided to catch up with him to find out more about his beautiful work.

How did you start illustrating?

I started with botanical illustration in 2006 while doing my Masters degree in Illustration at Stellenbosch University. Vicky Thomas facilitated a workshop that was part of the course, and I immediately fell in love with the genre.

What draws you to plants?

Painting plants is like painting portraits; they have unique personalities and stories to tell. I also love the intimate relationship that comes from the study of their anatomies and experience a sense of peace that no other subject matter brings.

How long does it take to finish a piece?

The time it takes to complete a work depends on the intricacy of the plant, as well as its size. On average, I spend about a week on a painting if I have the luxury of a full working day.

Which plants do you enjoy painting the most?

Although different plants speak to me in different ways, I seem to be drawn to robust looking plants with fleshy leaves and thick roots. I particularly enjoy painting the roots of bulbous plants, like those of the Amaryllidaceae family. One of my favourite works is Agapanthus praecox, painted in 2011.

Which mediums do you work in?

I mostly work with watercolour on paper, and occasionally add graphite.

Do you have anything exciting planned for the near future?

I am currently a full-time Art and Design teacher at Stellenberg High School, but from next year I will focus on painting full-time and continue to facilitate weekly art classes for adults and children, as well as more focused workshops. I am also looking forward to take part in a group exhibition at the Woordfees in 2017.

Where can people get hold of your work?

My work is not on permanent display, but can be viewed on my website, willieschlechter.com. I have original paintings available, but also take commissions. Most works are also available as high quality prints and gift cards. Anyone interested can email me at schlechterw@gmail.com.

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South African illustrator and designer Tara Deacon creates simple yet strikingly beautiful illustrations inspired by her love of nature. She works in watercolours, gouache, ink, graphite pencil and acrylic.

Currently based in Berlin, Tara discovered her love for artistic creation in her early years as a child inventor and later refined her child-like gadget-making skills when she studied Industrial and Product Design at the University of Johannesburg. Over the past two years, Tara has concentrated on illustration, working for prominent furniture designer Haldane Martin in Cape Town, The District Six Store in Berlin doing illustrations of fauna and flora, as well as for South African label Temple of Reason on illustrations for their 2016 Men’s Swimwear range. Tara also worked for Ogilvy One in Berlin on illustrations using coffee for Nescafé’s global campaign.

Finally got my hands on the postcards for the exhibition TOMORROW ! Just wanna throw them around like 200 Euro notes on my bed !! #taradeaconillustration #erdundfeuer #erdundfeuer #berlin #kreuzberg #graeffekiez

A photo posted by Tara Deacon (@basedinberlin) on Oct 7, 2016 at 5:54am PDT

Her naive, playful style has garnered her a substantial following and she will be exhibiting her first solo illustration exhibition entitled It’s In My Naive Nature in Kreuzberg, Berlin until 26 November 2016. For more information, visit her website.

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Sarasota-based artist Melanie April (a.k.a. @creativecovestudio) loves celebrating colour through her vibrant and whimsical works.

Each of her pieces tells a story, whether it be of an animal or a famous artist. Her predominant medium is watercolour and she brings levels of dimension to her work by painting on pieces of wood.

Here are 10 of our favourites.

This little wood round looked so much like a silly little owl… I had to paint it that way ? . #watercolour #woodround #owlsofinstagram #owls #owl #watercolor #makersgonnamake #makerslife #makersmovement #creativelife #paintdaily #artists_creations #artistofinstagram #artoftheday #woodlandanimals #animalart

A photo posted by Melanie April Art (@creativecovestudio) on Jul 28, 2016 at 8:11am PDT

“If you hear a voice within you saying, ‘you are not a painter’, then by all means paint… And that voice will be silenced.” -Vincent Van Gogh My fav ? . . #watercolor #woodround #vangogh #vangoghportrait #artonwood #portrait #illustration #worldwatercolormonth #paintdaily #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #bosslady #artist #artists_creations #artisticcommunity

A photo posted by Melanie April Art (@creativecovestudio) on Jul 25, 2016 at 6:46am PDT

I was gonna wait to post this tomorrow but I can’t… It’s just too darned cute!! I also couldn’t wait to paint this long eared cutie on this long piece of wood… Ah! It makes me so happy to make these little things ??? . #makersgonnamake #jackrabbit #bunny #bunnylove #watercolor #supportartists #woodround #artonwood #watercolour #painting #imadethis #forestanimals #critters #makersmovement #watercolorartist

A photo posted by Melanie April Art (@creativecovestudio) on Jul 22, 2016 at 2:49pm PDT

In my story, the howling of the wolves created the the soul of the moon… And the more they howl, the fuller she becomes… Thank you all so much for your kind comments and likes! I am so inspired by you ?? . #watercolor #wolf #woodround #artonwood #animalart #spiritanimal #fullmoon #moon #creative_animalart #animalcreatives #amethyst #wolfspiritanimal #worldwatercolormonth #wolfspirit #bluemoon #paintdaily #fantasyart #howl #howlatthemoon

A photo posted by Melanie April Art (@creativecovestudio) on Jul 24, 2016 at 6:56am PDT

Things that make me happy… One little art piece packaged and ready to send into the world… A sleeping baby deer… I like thinking there’s one out there doing exactly this while I’m painting it! And SPACE… It fascinates me ? HAPPY FRIDAY FRIENDS!?????? . #watercolor #woodround #makersgonnamake #artists_creations #outofthisworld #outerspace #space #deer #babydeer #woodlandanimals #woodlandcreatures #nurserydecor #packagingideas #makersmovement #animalart #paintdaily #nurseryinspo #nusery #babyanimals

A photo posted by Melanie April Art (@creativecovestudio) on Jul 29, 2016 at 8:04am PDT

A woodland trio… So sweet!??? . #woodlandanimals #deer #babydeer #fawn #woodlandcreatures #bunny #rabbit #hedgehog #hedgehogsofinstagram #animalart #animalartists #woodround #makersgonnamake #watercolors #watercolor #miniaturewatercolor #miniature #artcollection #collection #babyanimals #nursery #nurserydecor #artists_creations #supportlivingartists #creative_animalart

A photo posted by Melanie April Art (@creativecovestudio) on Jul 31, 2016 at 9:40am PDT

Finally finished this little commissioned piece. All ready for a sweet baby’s nursery when he/she decides to make their entry into this world ??? . #watercolor #watercolour #aquarell #painting #animalart #nurserydecor #nursery #babyontheway #makersgonnamake #supportartists #artist #sarasota #fawn #woodlandanimals #babyanimals

A photo posted by Melanie April Art (@creativecovestudio) on Aug 4, 2016 at 7:59am PDT

Frida with Frida ? . #watercolor #watercolour #frida #fridakahlo #instaart #artstagram #thatsdarling #woodround #portrait #miniaturepainting #painting #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #createdtocreate #createdaily #paintdaily #artists_creations #sarasota

A photo posted by Melanie April Art (@creativecovestudio) on Aug 5, 2016 at 7:01am PDT

Closeup. Cuz it’s cute ? . #watercolor #watercolour #woodrounds #animalart #hare #rabbit #bunny #creativeanimal_art #animalart #artists_creations #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #igart #painting #woodlandnursery #nurserydecor

A photo posted by Melanie April Art (@creativecovestudio) on Aug 6, 2016 at 8:53am PDT

WOW ? that’s all I keep saying! These two Van Goghs and I are freaking out about being featured on @instagram by the incredibly talented Michael @symmetrybreakfast (follow him immediately, he’s a genius!) it feels incredible to be recognized for something you put your heart and soul into… I am honored. But now, back to work… Onto more painting! Wishing you an inspired, creative day! Thank you ALL for your kind comments. The support and good vibes have been overwhelming! ???? . . . #wow #watercolor #vangogh #instagramrocks #imblownaway #honored #freakingout #artistoninstagram #watercolorportrait #winsornewton #paintingismylife #artismylife #glowing #makersgonnamake #keeponpainting #itsonlyjustbegun

A photo posted by Melanie April Art (@creativecovestudio) on Aug 16, 2016 at 6:22am PDT

The post Colourful Creations: Melanie April Art appeared first on Visi.

Take a look at how the talented Katharine Jacobs, a.k.a. Sunshine and Piglet, creates her beautiful watercolours in this short time-lapse.

Read more about how she started painting in our Q&A and follow her on Instagram for more quirky creations.

She also commissions pet portraits – VISI’s online editor Lindi Brownell Meiring had one done of her bunny Matisse – which we think is seriously adorable.

@bunnymatisse captured perfectly by @sunshineandpiglet ? #portrait #painting #art #watercolour #bunny #bunnies #rabbit #rabbits #bunniesofinstagram #pet #pets #petsofinstagram #petstagram #bunnymatisse

A photo posted by Lindi Brownell Meiring (@lindibrownell) on Jul 14, 2016 at 4:46am PDT

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