About Michelle (Karoofaerie)
Michelle grew up on the beautiful farm ‘Three Sisters’, in the Karoo, which she claims as her inspiration. She says: “Since holding bottles for ‘Hanslammers’ and feeding chickens as a toddler, I have happily done farm chores and been immersed in sheep farming. My sisters and I went to boarding school in Beaufort West, later I studied in Bloemfontein, and I’ve lived in many places, but my true life is on that piece of Karoo land. Walking in the veld, bumping along tracks in the farm bakkie or gazing at glowing sunsets has imbued my mind with the landscape.”
From 1999 to 2001 Michelle travelled and worked in Europe, where she realized dreams to see the art museums, galleries and architecture there. Michelle says: “The artworks of old masters and exhibitions of highly skilled living artists greatly added to my education. As I was backpacking, I could only fill sketchbooks (now treasures) and work in watercolours, of which a number of paintings sold in the United Kingdom.”
The psychology of art and its influence on humans – and vice versa – also interests Michelle. As part of her studies, she lectured in ‘History of Art’ and assisted first-year students in painting. She speaks at public events and exhibitions and have given practical lessons in low-cost art projects to disadvantaged communities. She has worked on projects in the business sector. Planning, organizing and executing murals, advertisements and posters together with fellow artists as well as the personnel of the businesses concerned.
Michelle gives art classes and workshops for adults: beginners, intermediate and advanced.
She collects vintage Illustrated books and enjoys making mixed water media Illustrations for fantasy books, collectable cards as well as botanical illustrations.
Michelle again: “So far, my life has been adventurous, and I’ve been fortunate to see many beautiful places, but the Karoo and South Africa has great scenery. Thus, the body of my work are landscapes, with a smattering of flowers, abstracts and gardens. I portray the mountains as characters, farmsteads as the homes of my family and friends, and the windmills as symbols of life-giving water. Spitzkoppe and flat-topped mountains, boulders and plains, Shepherd’s huts and old farmhouses with their hard-won gardens are my favourite subjects. I want to make people fall in love with the tranquillity and majesty of the Karoo and encourage tourism to this magnificent part of South Africa. The Karoo has had many years of harrowing drought and farming is more difficult than ever with mega-farming, disinterest from the government, ‘fracking’ and drugs infiltrating farming communities. Paintings of the Karoo can record beloved farms and countryside; maybe bring visitors, businesses or young farmers to the region.”
Michelle’s primary medium is acrylics. And she enjoys the challenge of watercolour as a medium. Her hobbies include sculpting figurines and jewellery in polymer clay, tie-dye or illustrations on t-shirts. She also breeds and collect roses.
Michelle: “With the star-cross icon accompanying my signature on my artwork, I dedicate each piece to God. I’m married to a hardworking, MTB-fanatic and we have a loving, wonderful son and a beautiful, strong daughter. We reside in Worcester, travel to the farm whenever we can, and count our many blessings.”
