Lomas’ art is enjoyed around the world
Limpopo artist Vanessa Lomas' artwork is not only enjoyed by Hoedies residents and surrounding towns but by the world as well.
Her artwork hangs all over the world in countries such as India, Australia, Europe, England and America.
Lomas told Herald that she has been exposed to art from a very young age.
“I have a drawing that I did at the age of 3, my mother was a home executive and was a very creative person. Later on in life I went on a tour to some of the European and Mediterranean countries which inspired me thereby affirming the artist in me. When I returned home I started to explore Indian Ink Pen work. My first exhibitions were held at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg, and on my very first exhibition I achieved a sell-out of all my art work, which of course motivated me to greater heights and to explore different mediums,” she said.
Her artwork depicts nature and people. Working and living in Hoedspruit has inspired her to painting wildlife.
She paints in oils on specially made canvas consisting of 100% cotton duck twice primed for a superior soft and lasting result.
“I have developed a love for fused art that depicts people in their environment whether it be nature or city life. I am expanding on the subject to include different cultures and the people and the nature surrounding them,” she said.
Lomas is a disciplined and hardworking artist.
She paints Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 17:00. She has a dedicated work space that enables her to work on several pieces at the same time.
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“As the paint dries on multiple paintings, I am able to work on others. When I work I usually have a task list. Some of the paintings will be commissions that has to be completed for clients and others will be for exhibitions around the country. I am motivated to improve on the images in my head and I aspire to keep myself busy. I am constantly challenging myself to try new methods and subject matter,” she said.
When asked how long it takes her to finish a piece she said each artwork is unique and very much depends on the style of the painting (i.e. abstract or fine art), which impacts as to how long it would take her to complete.
“I am sometimes able to splash the paint onto the canvas and form images within a few hours and other times I conceptualise the painting with bold back ground washes of colour and transpose the images as the painting grows which takes days.”
Lomas said she draws inspiration from modern artists such as Emily Lamb and Marcel van Luit.
“I look towards artists that are not afraid to challenge themselves and that often give us a glimpse into a world that only exist on the canvas that they are working on and portray a view that is not seated in the reality of this world. As an artist today, we live in such exciting times.
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“There are so many mediums, meanings and interpretations today. There are almost no limits, which makes it a very liberating experience to be an artist in today’s world.”
Her career highlights include her first solo exhibition that was held in Knysna in 2000.
In 2020 she was privileged enough to be given the opportunity to present a solo exhibition in Holland.
“Due to the Covid-19 lockdown I was not able to attend but my artwork was airfreighted to Jaco Van Groeneveld of van Bellen Art for display in the The Lobby, Oud Beijerland – Artconcilio and they did a marvelous job with exhibiting and selling my art.
“The exhibition was a huge success and it remains a wonder to me how my art is sought all over the world,” she said. When she is not painting she spends time with her husband who is a photographer and loves nature.
“We love spending time in nature and in the wide open spaces of animal conservation or mountain ranges. Our most recent journey was to Namibia which took a month long of travelling and exploring. “Each journey into the unknown with this incredible man in my life leaves indelible traces, traces that would often later translate into beautiful paintings.”
Permanent displays of her work is available at Frames@Hoedspruit, Rock Fig Centre, Royal Malewane, Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC), Art of Africa in Hazyview, Galerie Van Bellen Art in the Netherlands and the Lobby Oud Beijerland – Artconcilio.
