‘I am an extremely creative person’

She says she loves that her watercolour paintings spread goodwill to her clients. “I am an extremely creative person. It goes beyond art into creative problem-solving and trying new things, even cooking with interesting taste combinations. I have to balance my creativity with a routine otherwise I tend to get all over the place,” she said. “My mom is an artist and as a child, I would observe her paint. I wanted to participate, so she let me.” She says her mother then started to give art lessons, “because if I was going to make a mess with paint then other kids might as well join me”, she said. Celeste specialises in watercolour, a medium she taught herself.

“Watercolour gives me the creative freedom of making mistakes. You have to learn to roll with whatever is interesting, fun, and with the unpredictable reactions and interaction of the paint. It’s okay to fail and try again.” She says she is inspired by the beauty of God’s creation. He is the ultimate creative and the most talented artist and I find myself in awe of all the wonderfully intricate things He has made. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to live in Kampersrus and am surrounded by the most spectacular bird and wildlife; I want to share that beauty with people to inspire them and give them a little piece of the paradise, I am fortunate to see every day,” added Celeste.

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She says time management remains her biggest challenge. “Having a schedule of regular tasks as well as doing weekly planning for flexible tasks, has really helped me to make time to paint but also get everything else done. I had to learn how to fail, which is not something anyone really talks about. To me, it means I have to take the time to process and evaluate how the week went and to adjust my strategy and become better,” Celeste said. “I’ve joined a support network of like-minded creatives where we share ideas and strategies and hold each other accountable for the tasks we’ve committed to doing.

All in all, art has been a light in my darkness. It’s a dual package of struggle and joy, hope, and frustration, but it has given my life meaning, and I can only thank God for his faithfulness and love in revealing it to me,” she concluded. Anyone interested in her work can contact her at 076 380 4597, or visit her Instagram @Celestial_Watercolour, send her an email to celestialwatercolour@gmail. com, or visit her stall at the Hoedspruit Farmers Market.