I am a firm believer that my natural talent in art and artistic eye for style must be in my genes, as according to my grandfather, our ancestors were renowned portrait artists from Switzerland who settled in South Africa. As a child, I spent countless hours doodling, sketching fashion pictures, and attending weekly art classes, which were a crucial part of my upbringing. My mother and aunt are both amazing in interior design, decor, and creating art pieces, so it's safe to say that art runs in my family.

After attending Parel Vallei High School with its exceptional art department and teacher, I had my first group art exhibition in matric and got an A for art. Although I loved the practical aspect of art, I decided not to pursue a career in it and instead studied health and skincare, which allowed me to travel the world for ten years, doing commissioned art pieces in between waiting for my next ship or yacht season to start. I continued to draw and paint during my travels, finding it to be a meditative and relaxing activity when days at sea got too long.

Living and working among strangers in over 72 countries allowed me to experience and see the world in ways that enriched my life and provided inspiration for my artwork. Trying to learn new languages, getting lost in old towns, road tripping, and taking trains to new destinations for random weekend getaways were just a few of the adventures that helped me gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and ways of life. These experiences also enabled me to become a qualified yoga teacher and give classes to private yacht guests and crew.

Having qualified in somatology (the study of health and skincare), my chosen career path is "therapy," rendering a service to my fellow man, adding meaning to their lives, and making them feel better about themselves. I am privileged to combine art, yoga, and skincare into my work and use all three as forms of therapy. I am now focusing more on the art part as each art piece has its uniqueness and self-contained character, just like the definition of yoga, which means "to put to active and purposeful use." In this way, I am turning my art and skills into something more valuable, enriching not only my personal life but also the lives of others.

In the philosophy of yoga, art is a method of discipline, just like selecting a scenery or object to portray on canvas and following through with it. One should not hide their talent but rather share it with others in a way that enriches their lives. Painting art pieces occupies my mind, and just like in yoga philosophy, where the soul follows the yamas and niyamas, controlling the mind and applying the principles of behavior in our everyday lives is crucial. The basic principles of my yoga background have certainly enriched my life going forward, and I cherish all the moments by applying these principles to become a better person.

As I grew older and the yacht crew got younger, I realized that I was yearning for something more meaningful. So after a year of soul-searching, I decided to go back to South Africa and find my ‘permanent land-legs’ and pursue my passion for art, which had always been in the back of my mind. However, I struggled with society's expectations of a career in art and wrestled with the idea of whether it could be a viable job. Despite receiving praise for my work, I got caught up in the responsibilities and expectations of others and ended up working in a corporate job as a project manager. Eventually, I became unhappy and burnt out. I knew that I wanted to work for myself and pursue my passion for art, rather than being trapped behind a desk all day. I started building up my clientele and exploring new styles and mediums. Despite the initial skepticism of others, word of my art began to spread, and I got more and more commissions. In 2021, I had the opportunity to have my first solo exhibit, which was a huge success. Currently, I am living with my supportive partner in the Keisie Vallei, a beautiful and secluded area in South Africa. Living here, surrounded by nature and wildlife, is like heaven on earth, and I draw inspiration from the natural world every day. Despite the challenges of off-grid living, I am grateful for the opportunity to slow down and live a more meaningful life.

Although I was initially unsure about society's expectations of doing art for a living, I eventually realized that my artwork is my passion and my calling. I am grateful for every opportunity that has come my way, and I am excited about continuing to enrich not only my personal life but also the lives of those with whom I interact.