Young artist wins gold with her fearless art

Ruimsig Stadium was buzzing with activity on Friday, June 3 when it hosted the annual Arnold Classic Africa 2022.

While many athletes and fitness enthusiasts trained to compete in the various sport events and competitions, 22-year-old make-up artist Jonelda van Rensburg was busy planning her make-up masterpiece for the Living Canvas Body Painting Competition.

“It took me around two weeks to use every element from my inspiration and fit that into my final make-up look,” explained Jonelda, “Every person is a work of art and the colours I’ve chosen played a role in the meaning of the look I created.”

The pinks represent love, kindness and femininity; the white represents purity; and gold is associated with illumination, love, compassion, courage, passion, magic, and wisdom. All of these colours combined symbolise what is needed to be a genuinely fearless person.

Her model, Roné de Vos, has been struggling with lupus from a very young age. “She was the inspiration behind this look,” said Jonelda. “I wanted to create a look that shows her fearlessness while showcasing her characteristics. She is beautiful, kind, friendly and has compassion and courage. These qualities are part of what forms her as a fearless woman.”

The two stole the show and won first prize and a gold medal for their creative make-up look. “I’ve always had a love for art and painting, but I wasn’t too familiar with make-up art. I first started doing make-up when I was 18, and entered the Kohl Makeup Academy in 2017,” Jonelda said.

She is currently busy with her degree in education and hopes to use her make-up skills and experience to help her students develop their creative side by letting them experience a different type of art.

Jonelda said she loved seeing what the other make-up artists created from the theme, and shared that she planned on competing again next year in more than one of the living canvas competitions.