MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Maresna van Schoor has always harboured a passion for art. A self-taught multimedia artist originally from the Northern Cape, Van Schoor says creating is where she feels grounded and where the emotional anxieties of life are soothed.

Van Schoor, her husband and their two children relocated to Reebok in 2019. The following year, the Covid-19 pandemic and her father's death stirred up fears and feelings of anxiety in her.

Wanting to address those fears, Van Schoor began practising photography as a hobby. She was inspired by other artists on social media and decided to experiment with acrylic paint pouring before branching into oil, resin, ceramics, alcohol ink, encaustic wax, jewellery and other mediums.

"I have found that when I am creative, there is no space for any emotional anxieties. Art became my therapy," says Van Schoor.

Her style ranges from abstract to contemporary art, with a particular love for ocean-inspired artworks.

"Inspiration comes from everywhere, but I tend to gravitate towards beach scenes, sea creatures and other ocean-inspired works. My ceramics range from fish sculptures to nudibranchs. My resin pieces incorporate waves, texture and sculpted shorelines. My jewellery pieces include beach scenes, waves and even shells."

Some of Van Schoor's sea creature artworks. Photo: Maresna van Schoor

Before fully diving into her passion, Van Schoor worked at an auditing firm in Cape Town for 19 years. Although she worked in the financial industry for most of her adult life, her true passion has always been art, she says.

Now a part-time artist for six years, Van Schoor says she is still figuring out what makes her work unique, but her drive and her thirst for knowledge have kept her diverse art collection on a constant learning curve.

Moments of doubt sometimes linger in the back of her mind, but Van Schoor has learnt not to pay attention. 

"I have found that if I like what I create, there will be others who will also like it. It is only about finding the right people. And if I love what I create, the work speaks for itself."

This sentiment proved true with her recent successful exhibition of wall art, ceramics and original watercolour paintings.

Her dream is to one day reopen her art gallery and studio in Mossel Bay, which had to close due to other commitments, and eventually practise as a full-time artist. 

Van Schoor's artistic style varies between contemporary and abstract art. Photo: Maresna van Schoor

"It is only a matter of timing. For now I will keep creating at home and managing an online gallery on my website," she says.

Van Schoor encourages other creatives to explore different mediums.

"At my workshops, most attendees comment that they are not 'artistic', but I believe we are all artists at heart. Maybe acrylic paint is not the best way to express yourself; maybe clay will be better. Some people will be surprised by the many ways in which a person can be artistic. 

A chef creates by means of food. A gardener creates with plants and seeds. Finding the right creative outlet will make the difference."

Even better, says Van Schoor, join a community that encourages creativity. "The fellowship of like-minded people will inspire and encourage." 

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