10 Questions for West Coast Artist Marie Theron

Posted Mon, 14 Dec 2009 (2 years ago)

This South African artist was so enamoured of the West Coast that she upped-sticks and moved there to be close to her source of inspiration each day.

Marie Theron (whose work was featured on our blog last month) agreed to answer 10 Questions in this month's edition of 10 Questions for South Africans.

Don't be surprised if you feel the urge to move to the West Coast yourself after reading what she has to say about this unique region of South Africa!

10 Questions for Marie Theron

1. What place (in SA) do you call home, and why?

I live in a private nature reserve with my studio 80 m from the sea. This position was full of surprises when I first moved here and I slowly got used to the intensity of Nature. Storms are so totally overpowering that I am always reminded of the ships that were wrecked all along the West Coast. On the other hand one can experience a field of colourful wildflowers starting from our garden and stretching as far as the eye can see.

Close to home...

2. Favourite place to have breakfast near(ish) where you live?

Definitely Simoné’s in Darling. Our attractive young restaurateur is always there to welcome you, smiling and chatting and busy as a bee, and the food is superb. The coffee is very good (important in the morning!)

3. How does a working day in your life look?

I wake up with thoughts of a painting I am working on. Sometimes I will prop up my latest painting in the bedroom while I drink my coffee, to make sure everything is in balance. As my bedroom adjoins the studio I will often start painting whilst still in my night-clothes. A good day will have two sessions of three hours each for painting. I rest and read between sessions. Housework, gardening and blogging are all done in the periods in-between.

Outside Marie's studio

4. What is it about the West Coast that appealed to you so much that you decided to move there?

The absence of traffic, the proximity of Nature; and because there are no high-rise buildings and few tall trees, the openness of the West Coast has a very special appeal.

A recent painting: 'Workers in Vineyard' - (near Malmesbury)

5. Which SA artists work do you admire?

Peter Midlane’s paintings always stop me in my tracks. He has a true understanding of the South African landscape and puts it down without the sweet sentimentality one often sees.

6. What inspires you (in your work, every day, in life)?

I think to even become an artist in the first place; you have to be inspired by the lives of the Great Masters of Art. Whether they worked unrewarded and unacknowledged or found themselves prosperous, whether they died young for their country or lived to their nineties; whether weak and sickly or full of stamina and health: hardly anyone of them were idle or sat on their laurels. It was work at any cost!

Marie's latest work - 'Arriving in Piketberg'

7. When you’re away from SA what do you miss?

I determine to enjoy travelling and not spend my time longing back, but of course our ocean, our clouds, blue skies and indigenous flowers are the most beautiful.

8. Tell us, briefly, about a positive or unique South African holiday / travelling experience.

There are many of course, depending what you are looking for: the peace of the Highveld of Mpumalanga or the culture of the cities. I think Lamberts Bay is a lovely experience. The birdlife and sea and boats are magnificent. It is impossible to tire of the gannets. Who can ever eat too many crayfish? And for a Saturday evening with the sun setting way past eight, the Muisbosskerm is such wonderful and relaxed eating experience

Lambert's Bay - a lovely destination

9. Who is your South African hero, and why?

Can I change that to a town I admire? Then I will choose cheeky Darling, full of breezy confidence. They are as hard hit by the slump in the world economy as anywhere else, but there is no letting up, no slacking. A visitor can find something pleasant to do, somewhere to go almost any night of the week! You will always find smiling, positive people there.

10. Once you’ve run out of inspiration along the West Coast where will you be heading?

It is impossible to run out of West Coast material. I have hardly touched the sea and all it has to offer in critters, birds and boats. There is the San history and the Moravian missions. There are so many fynbos species (a painting of a special plant is coming up on my blog on Christmas morning.) The more I speak with people the more stories, places and legends of the West Coast are revealed, so hopefully I will just paint on and on…….

More...

Visit Marie Theron's blog for more of her West Coast stories and paintings.

To experience the West Coast for yourself, contact Portfolio to book benchmarked West Coast accommodation.

13 Responses to 10 Questions for West Coast Artist Marie Theron

Marie Theron is probably one of the most positive people. It is depicted in her paintings and the way she communicates with people. This is an attractive quality that draws people closer to her. Being in her company is better than a coffee brake! (And I love my coffee!)
Not only does she radiate warmth, she inspires people. As a mentor, I can recommend her!
We live in Yzerfontein, and I totally agree with her concerning the pull of the West Coast. There is a pull in the simplicity of this stretch of coast. Why don't you see for yourself...?

By Mary Ann Bosch (2 years ago)

As Marie is my sister, I might well be suspected of bias, but I have to state publicly that she is one of the most inspirational people I know. Her whole being is a work of art, and I have spent most of the happiest times of my life in her company. Her love of the Cape and in particular the West Coast is contagious, and I am looking forward to spending time there with her within the next month. Marie's paintings are eternalising some of the most beautiful scenery in the world - I hope they will find their way into even more homes to add a touch of the warmth and hospitality of this wonderful area and the precious person who painted them.

By Christa Cloete (2 years ago)

Home is where the heart is...this shows clearly in Marie's answers above, and her thoroughly enjoyable blog. The love Marie has for the West Coast draws attention from all over the globe, and brings back many fond memories of visits to this stunningly beautiful region. Not only does she produce outstanding art works, but her words also paint a background which interweaves ambience, history and traditions - leaving visitors to her blog spell-bound. An artist through and through...and a true ambassador for the West Coast, where we join her in meandering through the towns and rural areas - appreciating every step of the journey. Thank you, Marie.

By MacTeddy (2 years ago)

I found Marie through the blog world. I am learning so much about the West Coast of South Africa from following Marie's blog. Her wonderful paintings of the landscape, the towns, and the local landmarks are really superb. As a California artist, I have found some similarities between the landscapes depicted in Marie's work and the area I live in. Marie makes me want to visit South Africa and most likely I will.

By Mary Paquet (2 years ago)

Marie's artwork is amazing and has inspired people from across the world (myself included) and in other countries. She is living the artist's life in the best way possible and has found the perfect location for it. bravo!

By Nancy Medina (2 years ago)

Marie is a wonderful artist. I found her through the blog world and have so enjoyed learning about the West Coast of South Africa. Her beautiful landscapes and historic architecture make me want to visit your country, so I am adding it to my list. The paintings also remind me of the California landscape where I live.

Thanks for featuring such a fine artist.

By Mary Paquet (2 years ago)

Marie, a neighbor and friend, has inspired me in many aspects in life. Her personality, vast knowledge and outlook on many things opened my eyes to sometimes see with a new perspective. As an artist she helped and coached (and sometimes coaxed) me along over many cups of good coffee. Most of all, I admire her determination and knowledge and most of all, her eagerness to try out new ways and styles in painting. I wish, I could achieve half as much. You go Marie!!

By Thomas Kohler (2 years ago)

You may count on Marie for an uplifting and informative blog post. I live in Florida and she is single handedly teaching me and many others around the world, of the beauty and history of South Africa. I think I can speak for all when I say we look forward daily to hearing what Marie has been up to!

By carol schiff (2 years ago)

Like Carol, I also live in Florida. I'm on the Atlantic coast and adore the ocean. I knew nothing about the sea in South Africa but have learned much about the West Coast region in the short span of my online acquaintance with the intelligent, generous and very talented Marie. Her wonderful paintings feature vibrant colors yet exude such powerful feelings of peace and calm. Both Marie's works and Marie herself are incredibly inspiring.

By Susan Acosta (2 years ago)

Such generous comments! The emphasis in my work is on the landscape, not the person behind it, but it is lovely that one can befriend people through art!

I hope that I will "deliver the goods" in 2010 and keep informing people about the West Coast which I love.(There will be a lot more ocean paintings on my blog this year as I travel the coastal towns.) Portfolio is a prize-winning website and it is well worth it to comb through their articles which covers the larger South Africa!

By Marie Theron (2 years ago)

Liewe Marie,

Dit is beautiful, soos jou kunswerke, jy inspireer my tot meer nuwe hoogtes met Sugarcakes, baie geluk met 'n stunning artikel, doen so voort!!!!

By Linda Knop (15 months ago)

Marie, the day I met you and beautiful Susan was a very enriching day in our lives. You are such an inspiring woman and artist - you become your art and are so part of the West Coast. Ek het altyd gedink die kus vanaf Gordonsbaai tot anderkant Transkei is mooi, en nooit besef dat die Weskus soveel bekoring inhou nie. Die aardsheid daarvan, die ware natuur, die mense, die hele area slaan my asem weg en ek sal graag meer tyd daar wil spandeer. Ek is so dankbaar dat ons julle leer ken het, en teen die tyd weet jy al Manlief is netso mal oor julle. Jou Franse dames en die nuutste Laventelskilderye is netso besonders - dankie vir die deel daarvan!?

By Charlene Morkel (15 months ago)

I am glad you posted these questions. It allowed me to get to know you a little better! Someday I would like to visit you in South Africa! We will paint!

By Susan Renee Lammers (15 months ago)