My journey as an artist began in childhood, inspired by the beautiful paintings that adorned my grandmother’s home. From a young age, drawing became a natural part of my life—one I never truly set aside.

Although I was unable to pursue formal art studies after school due to financial limitations, my passion for classical art remained strong. I have always drawn inspiration from the great masters—Bouguereau, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Alma-Tadema, and Dürer—whose work continues to influence my artistic style.

Eager to develop my skills, I sought out mentors. My early training began with Alexander Black, who introduced me to portraiture using pastels. I later studied under Leon Fourie for eight years, learning the techniques and discipline of traditional oil painting. I was also privileged to be mentored by the accomplished artist Elizabeth Riding, who played a pivotal role in preparing me for my first solo exhibition, Child’s Play—a narrative series capturing moments of childhood through painting.

Narrative remains central to my work. I strive to tell stories through each piece I create. As a passionate photographer, I frequently use my own photographs as references—Child’s Play was developed entirely from images I captured myself.

In addition to solo work, I’ve participated in group exhibitions at various venues. A notable milestone in my career was being selected as a Top 100 finalist in the Sanlam Portrait Award—an achievement I hold with great pride.