Local fine artist, Jan Maanda urges people to focus more on their God given talents, because something great can come out of it if they persist.

He believes anything is possible as long as the right amount of attitude, discipline and determination is applied.

Born and raised in Nkowankowa Township outside Tzaneen, he never knew that his artwork would one day be exhibited all over the world.

His studio is at August House in Doornfontein (Johannesburg) where he currently specialises in fine art drawings and printmaking.

Tshikhuthula started drawing from a young age as a hobby.

“I used to draw cartoons with my friend, Nkateko Maakana after school and on weekends.

“But I noticed that I was really good after I drew a beautiful picture of a cartoon character I loved so much,” he told Letaba Herald.

During his high school days at Hudson Ntsanwisi, he started excelling in the field and won a few art competitions including one held by Munghana Lonene FM.

After highschool he enrolled at the Matongoni Mountain Studio in Venda to study art.

Also read: TZANEEN: “Art for me tells a story…”

His Mentor, Avhashoni Mainganye introduced him to landscape drawing, sculting, painting and print making and many others.

After his term at the studio, he went to Artist Trough Studio in Johannesburg where he started to grow more in his field.

His work has been showcased in different galleries and art exhibitions all over the country.

Tshikhuthula’s work can also be found at the Everard Read Gallery in Franschoek as an associate artist, Knysna Fine Arts Gallery and Lizamore & Associates in Parkwood, Johannesburg.

Through his art he always depicts the water shortage challenge the country is currently facing.

One of his favourite work is the ‘Long walk to freedom’ which potrays the distance people in the rural areas travel to get water.

“I believe water is a precious and scarce resource and needs to be taken care of, because now even the urban areas are affected by the water issue,” he explained.

In February 2020, he will be hosting a three men art exhibition at the Everard Read Gallery in Franschoek.

He took to thanking his parents, Selinah and Freddy Tshikhuthula (late father) for their support and he also thanked Mabosho Shishonga, Tim Burman, Moses Rikhotso and Avhashoni Mainganye for their support.

For more information on his artwork and exhibitions visit his Instagram page @janjanmaanda and on Facebook as Janjan Maanda Tshikhuthula.