Okkie is an emerging artist, autodidact, born in Zimbabwe in 1960.

Although she first started experimenting with painting in her twenties, it was only in her fifties that she picked up a brush once again. “Time evaporates when I am creating. It starts with an urge to paint and an idea for a painting; it’s not long before I am engrossed and the painting itself takes over. Sometimes the original idea gets pushed back by what I see developing on my canvas. If I try to stick to the original idea, I struggle; if I let go, sometimes something I find beautiful emerges”.

Her style is abstract, using a variety of techniques and materials to create depth and structure. Her paintings consist of layer upon layer of acrylic paint, pencil and pastels. She likes to incorporate pieces of canvas, cotton, string, paper, sand and/or other natural materials into her work for structure and for the visual interest this creates. “I just love the effect that something I find beautiful has on me. It gives me a sense of peace and curiosity”.

After leaving Zimbabwe, Okkie grew up in Tenerife, studied clinical psychology in The Netherlands, and also lived in Oman, England, Scotland, Kazakhstan and Egypt. She is currently living in Cairo.

Contact

okkieart@gmail.com