Young Tzaneen artist captures nature in first watercolour
11-year-old Tzaneen artist Dijane van Niekerk expresses memories and creativity through her first remarkable watercolour painting.
LIMPOPO – Eleven-year-old Dijane van Niekerk is not only a budding artist, but is also loving, kind, and intelligent.
A young artist with depth beyond her years
Dijane, a Tzaneen Primary School learner, recently did her first watercolour painting, showing unusual depth for her age.
She says drawing is more than putting pencil to paper; it’s a way of saving moments, feelings, and experiences.
“I like remembering things,” she says.
“When I create something and look back, I see how far I’ve come.”
Memories, stories, and mountains inspire her art
Stories play a big role in shaping Dijane’s imagination.
She especially loves listening to stories that describe far-off places or ideas that are difficult to picture.
These stories stretch her creativity and encourage her to think beyond what she can see, a quality that shows in her artwork.
She says she loves to spend time with her dad, particularly outdoors.
Trips to the mountains stand out most, which symbolise adventure, closeness, and moments, staying with her long after they have passed.
Her first watercolour painting reflected just that, a serene mountainous scene.
For this budding little artist, peaceful, calm, and safe places are her favourite – qualities that echo in the way she talks about memories.
