Anne-Marie van der Westhuizen
I was 13 years old when I first picked up a paintbrush and started working on a piece of unframed, unprimed canvas. I loved the feel of the thick, lustrous, colourful pigment being applied. That’s where my passion started. I fell in love with the richness and intensely viscous oil paint. I found even the smell enticing. The paintings themselves reveals skin- warm, glowing and enticing- like the inevitable passing of time has somehow left the model unaffected.
All aspects of creating the painting I had in front of me lured me into a different thought process, one that forces you to distract from every day harassment.
It was clear; this was more than just a pastime.
I love seeing a portrait emerge from a blank canvas, or having created a face, staring back at me. I’m often asked what is my muse – I’d have to say light. It is the most beautiful medium of all; connecting and caressing skin tightly as it brings together the body of a nude model and creates intricate depth.
As light moves, it not only creates a different dimension, but a brand new array of challenges in presenting a 3D model on a flat canvas.
Actively pursuing art is truly rewarding. Sometimes the process of getting to an end result is more rewarding than the end result itself.
As most artists would admit, you develop and nurture your talent with every new creation. There is, as a matter of fact, a lot of truth to claims of art being ‘healing’ or ‘restorative’.
My goal is to impart enthusiasm and beauty with every piece sold.
- Sold work that is currently privately exhibited in Canada, Poland, Germany, America and all around South Africa.