Jaims Art

Durban is my home town. It is where I was born and raised for the first few years of my life. It is a vibrant, yet relaxed city with the most awesome climate. My father worked for a construction company in my early years which meant we moved to some unheard of places in the country, often rural and remote with makeshift schools that sometimes had pupils of all ages in the same classroom. One of the most interesting places I lived was just outside one of the main gates of the Kruger National Park. We were regularly rounded up at playtime to quickly go indoors because of a lion escaping through the fence, or a herd of elephants making there way to where we lived. I currently live in Cape Town, with my husband who also paints when on shore leave from working at sea.

Education:

Van Gogh had the most impact in re-igniting my passion for art, some 10 years ago. I also researched the masters quite deeply, because I wanted to know how they achieved the effects they did with limited resources and knowledge. The way Vermeer captures light so perfectly really intrigued me. I studied his techniques in detail and applied them effectively to some degree.

My current favourite artist from history is Egon Schiele. He really embraced creativity and achieved remarkable effects through his rebellion. There are many contemporary artists that inspire me as well, but when I am in the process of creating, I try not to look at other artist’s work, merely in case it influences my thought pattern.

I started out painting in oil, and mostly do still paint in oil, although have been dabbling with watercolours lately. Both mediums are exciting to work in for completely different reasons. I enjoy the texture and flexibility of oil, coupled with the rich colours achieved. Watercolours have their own challenges in that there is no correcting once applied. But the effect of a beautifully painted watercolour is a total feeling of accomplishment.

I have taught myself everything I know about art, mostly because the schools I attended didn’t offer art lessons and subsequently the expense of attending classes is somewhat prohibitive. Although the research and learning on-line that I have done is not to be discredited,

I have completed almost 1000 paintings in the last few years. I have and still am in the process of taking various on-line courses as well. My passion for art has driven me to acquire the knowledge by whatever means available.

Exhibitions:

I initially took part in small local exhibitions and am planning on exhibiting my Erotic Art Series at a later stage this year. I have completed approximately 50 paintings for the exhibit and am in the finishing stages preparing for it.