I have been living in Centurion for more than 40 years, worked in Finance and HR.
In 2011, I started a business, Carli Hospitality Solutions, sourcing linen and décor items to the hospitality industry for some years, which I loved - serving, advising and connecting with customers.
After getting married again in 2018, I started painting in 2019, soon after my husband passed away. He left me with lots of paint and other materials and I was invited to a social art group in the village. Painting became therapy to work through the trauma of his unexpected death. I discovered my talent for art, which I believe was a gift from God to help me through the grieving of my loss. During this time, I experienced the loving protection of the Lord and the love of many special friends.
At the time I was living in Mtunzini and joined a social art club of lovely people, the No Worries Art Club, and received training from Lesley Ireland Matthew and Sue Bernon, both well-known artists.
In 2021, after returning to Pretoria, I attended social art groups at Artcentrix in Waterkloof and Centurion Art Association, where I am privileged to socialize with and learn from many talented artists.
I have had opportunities to exhibit my work at: Art in the Shade, Mtunzini, Spektra Art Gallery, Centurion, Artbox, Waterkloof, Alice Art Gallery, Randburg, ,Association of Arts, Pretoria, Pretoria Art Museum, Johann van Heerden Art Gallery, Garstfontein.
I have been involved in Evangelism and Disciple Making Movements for many years, which is my passion. Through Art I could connect with children and township communities, teaching them to obey the Word of God and helping Children’s ministries to use art exercises with Bible lessons.
Currently I am involved in training Discipleship in Mooiplaas informal settlement, Centurion. We are working on a cross-cultural challenge to create Art or Useable items from ‘treasures’ on the dumpsites. The best items will be entered into an exhibition in Spektra Gallery Centurion. The goal is to create awareness to all to consume and discard responsibly, not to litter, and to manage and re-use waste. This is a community challenge, and we hope to make this an annual event.