Gert (82) paints with only one eye

Apart from being blind in his left eye he does not stand back from a challenge.

Gert was working with a grinder about four years ago when a piece of iron entered his eye, causing substantial damage to his sight.

“This blindness does not influence my painting at all,” says Gert.

Born and raised in Tzaneen, he loved the outdoors, where he got all his painting ideas from.

He prefers painting in oils but will still do pencil sketches from time to time.

Gert gets his inspiration from nature and has painted the Big Five as well as many other animals.

The completion of the paintings depends on how he feels on the day.

He says some of the paintings take longer to paint due to the detail and also to allow the paint to dry.

“It is fulfilling to see the end result, but even more so when you see the client’s happy face,” he says.

This Awendgloed resident has many ideas for future paintings and has learnt to paint people as well.

He has, due to his work which took him to other countries, stopped painting for 30 years, but started painting again when he was about 60 years old.

Although he held several exhibitions in the past, none was held in Springs.

He also uses polystyrene-shaped animals in some of his paintings.

“I am critical of my work and will easily change a painting after it is completed if I am not satisfied with the end result,” says Gert.

He got married to Marietjie Els (72) last year and says it has changed his life for the better.

One of his avid supporters, Theo Janse van Rensburg (54) says he met Gert at a Bible study group.

Gert says Theo has bought several paintings from him in the past.

Theo sees Gert as a good mentor who is always positive.

“Gert appreciates his gift and never fails to give thanks to the Lord for the privilege of using his artistic skills,” says Theo.

Gert has donated several of this paintings to be raffled for charity purposes and he plans on doing so for Caylum Willemse as well.