My Story

My journey into painting began while living in Rwanda, 15 years post genocide. The devastation to the human spirit was like nothing I'd ever encountered before. It was during this lament that I noticed the absence of visual art in a country that was in survival mode. And yet amidst the utter brokenness and devastation there was beauty. Rwanda is a feast for the eyes, rich in natural beauty and remarkable people. It was here at this point that I first picked up a paintbrush and began painting. I realised that, - "we don't make art because we are artist but we make art because we are human."

I was in my forties, and had no formal art education, but through sheer determination, extensive self-study, online courses and informal art training I developed my skills as an oil painter.

Having lived in the United Kingdom, Rwanda, and now Stellenbosch, South Africa, my work is deeply influenced by the places I call home. In Rwanda, I was primarily drawn to portraiture, inspired by the beauty, strength, and character of the women around me. Since moving to Stellenbosch, I have been increasingly drawn to landscape painting, captivated by the mountains that dominate and frame this town.

I paint what surrounds me - subjects that feel familiar, and meaningful. A novelist friend once told me, "Write about what you know," and I have adopted the same philosophy in my art. Whether painting a landscape or a figure, my aim is to capture a recognisable subject while offering a personal interpretation of what I see.

Using a bold and chimerical colour palette combined with loose, impressionistic brushwork, I seek to create paintings that are vibrant and expressive. I aim to evoke recognition, memories and emotional resonance with the viewer, in an attempt to preserve an atmosphere, a person, a fleeting moment or a sense of place through paint.