I was born in Bloemfontein in the Orange Free State on 26 September 1970. I matriculated from President Steyn High in 1989.
In 1990 I enrolled to study a three year Graphic Design Diploma course at the Technicon of the Orange Free State in Bloemfontein.
After my studies I was conscripted for National Service in the South African National Defence Force for one year.
After being discharged from National Service I started a clothing printing company with two friends, It didn't last long. I moved to Cape Town and found work at a printing company in Woodstock. This was my first job.
My mother remarried and I started a surfboard factory in the Strand. I also took up painting and started with acrylics. I found the process extremely frustrating, but felt that it was something I really wanted to do. My paintings always looked “chalky” and I couldn't understand why. A friend of mine and fellow painter introduced me to oils. I fell in love with the medium straight away. After five years I sold the surfboard factory and started a clothing range for cyclists. I had some initial successes, but ultimately had to close my doors due to lack of funding.
I moved to Cape Town and found freelance employment with Strika Entertainment, a comic book publisher. While I was working as an inker, I was also working on my own graphic novel. A four part mini- series. I managed to publish the first issue with the help of my father, but it didn't sell all that well. I maybe managed to break even. I freelanced for another four years before I was appointed head of Strika's inking department. I worked for them for a further two years when I decided to quit my day job and focus more intensely on my painting.
The first year was extremely tough, I made no money. I also took up airbrushing and started spraying motorcycles of which mostly Harley-Davidsons and some cars. At least some money was coming in and I was surviving.
I've always had a passion for classic cars and bikes and started doing highly detailed paintings of cars in oils working in a photo realistic style. Very controlled and restricted. Bussiness was very slow. I think I only did three commissions in two years. The airbrush work, though not my greatest love or first choice of artistic expression, was paying the bills. But income from this source was inconsistent and some months were particularly tough. I even tried my hand at painting abstracts and managed to sell a few pieces, but it was a real struggle.
In December 2010 I radically changed the approach to my work which signaled some remarkable changes and effectively started my career as a serious artist. More on that in my artist statement.
CV:
Exhibitions:
- 2012 " Inside" Solo Exhibition, Rust en Vrede, Cape Town.
- 2012 "Focus Painting", Rendezvous Art Project, Group Exhibition, (Traveling Exhibit)
- 2011 “Riders” Two man collaboration, Everard Read Cape Town.
- 2011 “Fresh” Group Exhibit, Everard Read Cape Town.
- 2004 Group Exhibit, Bang Gallery Johannesburg.
- 2004 Group Exhibit with Igubu Collective, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch.
- 2004 Group Exhibit with Strika Entertainment Chelsea House, Somerset West.
- 2003 “Venge” Solo Exhibit, Bell-Roberts, Cape Town.
Publications:
Articles on my work has been published in local newspapers such as “The District Mail”
- “Venge”, self published graphic novel.
- Several publications regarding my comic art have been made online.
- I was featured on e-tv and in several radio interviews on “Artscape Radio” and “Bush Radio”, Cape Town.
- Marie Claire Magazine.
- “Garage” Magazine, December 2011. |
