Location: South Africa
Magdalena Marais ascribes her love for working with her hands to the influence of her grandparents in her formative years.
Time on their farm was either spent working in the fields with her grandpa or learning the intricacies of crocheting, upholstery, and woodworking from her grandmother.
Although she painted throughout her childhood and teenage years, she set aside painting for almost a decade after a conversation with her father - who, believing art to be a waste of time - enrolled the strong-willed young Magdalena in the Air-force.
Upon leaving the Air-force, she entered the corporate world, where her determination and strong character quickly led to her becoming a corporate PA with no time for art. It was only in 2010 that Magdalena returned to creative endeavors, starting her own company creating Sinamay hats for boutiques across South Africa.
After two years of single-handedly creating over 400 hats - with barely any time for herself or her family - Magdalena returned to full-time employment, once again setting aside her talents.
Luckily her affinity for the arts prompted a winning entry into the Stonehaven Rotary Arts Festival in 2012, which inspired her to reconnect with her love for painting. Since then, Magdalena has transitioned to a full-time artist, with commissioned paintings hanging in homes across the globe.
Magdalena describes herself as an eternal student, always developing new styles and techniques while searching for a means of expression that can convey her energy and passionate artistic voice.
She has just launched her own art diary, which showcases not only her considerable talent as an artist but also her versatility across mediums in the carefully hand-bound volumes which feature an original painting on the cover with hand designed inner pages.
Paintings done in 2018
In ancient Roman religion and myth, Luna is the divine embodiment of the moon. She is often presented as the female component of the sun (Sol) conceived of as a God. In roman art and literature, myths of Selene are adapted under the name of Luna.
There are 3 moons that feature in this painting. To some, it can stand for birth, life and death. For an addict it can be your old life, caught up in addiction and the journey to a new life and rebirth. It can be past, present and future. What do the moons represent in your life?
In your path you will always find rocks and sticks (obstacles).
Be like the lady of the moon, stay the course and walk it with purpose, integrity and let the moons light your way to become who you were born to be.
“Selene”
