Local artist still going strong
The artist is versatile and executes her paintings in various mediums, like pastel and oil.
After decades in the art industry, Bartlett artist Freda van der Merwe (67) doesn’t think she will ever lay down her paintbrushes.
Van der Merwe said she always had a passion for art and crafts.
“From early childhood, I loved to draw and create. I also watched my mother play the piano and my aunt doing crafts. I always came to a standstill in front of paintings filled with colour and was in awe of the craftsmanship. I yearned to be a skilled artist,” van der Merwe said.
The artist followed her dream and obtained her diploma in drawing and painting with a distinction at the ABC School of Art in Cape Town in 1990.
In 1994 she became a professional artist after having a successful exhibition in Okhanja, Namibia. She then started working for Ideal Art, which distributed her work throughout South Africa.
Van der Merwe is a versatile artist and executes her paintings in various mediums, like pastel and oil.
In 1996 she won the Best Artist of the Year Award at Ideal Art.
One of the highlights of her career is working with artists like Mark Enslin, Tony Walton, Errol Norbury, Nico Coetzee and Izak Koch.
She said the next step in her career is to have a selection of her best artworks in each category.
“I’m now also part of the East Rand Visual Artists Combine group. I’m looking forward to working with all the artists to make a success out of the group.”
Her advice to aspiring artists: “When in doubt, ask. Enrol in art classes and if you’re not happy with the class you can attend workshops. Experiment with paint, textures and different subjects to find your niche.
The most powerful tool you can have is the knowledge of your subject. So devour books and explore nature by feeling the grass and the barks of trees. After all, art is emotion and feeling.”
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