Andrien Art Studio: Summer Loving

Introduce art into your space for a welcome pop of vibrancy, colour and interest. Andrien @ArtStudio164 presents a beautiful series of flower paintings to spruce up a summer interior. We caught up with the artist to hear more about her background, inspiration and passion for art.

About the Artist:

Andrien is a Pretoria-based businesswoman and artist. As owner and founder of Grapedoor, offering luxury designer wood and glass doors, she also finds time for her passion to be an artist. Previously she painted in watercolour and acrylic, but she has since discovered how rewarding oil as a painting medium can be. She has no formal art education but has learned from a few art teachers.

Inspiration is all around us every day. People, flowers and all unique decorative home accessories inspire Andrien to paint portraits, flowers and still life paintings. The end result mostly has a vintage ambience. This is due to her appreciation of old Master’s paintings.

All in the details

Andrien’s work beautifully captures detail and pattern. This is part of her realistic approach that is depicted in her paintings. Her style is classical with period portraits and flowers; some of her absolute favourite things to paint.

Apart from the business of manufacturing doors, Andrien also has a passion for breeding the rare breed, Pepper and Salt Giant Schnauzers in her kennel Scherzando Pepper and Salt Giant Schnauzers.

Getting to know the artist:

How do you feel before a big art exhibition?

I feel excitement, pride and satisfaction before an exhibition.

What inspires me?

All that is beautiful: People, flowers and decorative objects mostly.

What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

There is a creative process taking place and I enjoy the end result mostly.

Tell us a little more about your background and work experience.

I have no formal art education in fine arts. After I left school, I became a teacher and specialized in special education. For the past 23 years, I have been a business owner and for 19 of these years, I am the founder and owner of Grapedoor. We manufacture luxury wood and glass doors.

What art do you most identify with?

I mostly identify with realistic classical art.

Why art?

It’s creative. We were born to be creative. An artistic outlook on life is to be creative in all you do.

Any memorable responses you can share with us?

A memorable response to my work was: “This is not your hobby…you are an artist”!

What is the best place to gain clarity and inspiration?

It will always be a place with water. Either a waterfall, river or sea. Other than this, I love art galleries.

What couldn’t you do without?

I love being alone, but I can not do without people or my dogs.

Andrien is a wife and mother of two, as well as the grandmother of 7 grandchildren. She has the privilege to stay on a lovely property just outside Pretoria where she can enjoy country living on a small scale.

For more visit the website and take a look at Andrien’s amazing work.

About Andrien @ Artstudio 164 →