Ballito artist is painting new paths
Denis Hilton Lees has had a colourful past moving from place to place starting private art schools wherever he goes.
There is a new artist in town and he is on a mission to spread the skill and love of painting.
Born in Zimbabwe, Denis Hilton Lees has had a colourful past moving from place to place starting private art schools wherever he goes.
“From Knysna to Cape Town and Johannesburg to the Eastern Free State – I have taught art all over,” said Lees, who lives in Ballito with his wife Laura and their two teenagers Jessica (16) and Benjamin (14).
“People often say about themselves “I can’t even draw a stick man”. Nonsense. My biggest hurdle is to convince people and give them the confidence to try. I believe anybody can paint, they just need to be shown how.”
After living in Taiwan for five years where he taught English, a family holiday in Ballito made them take the plunge and start over next to the sea.
Originally from a design background, Lees said he used to design pharmaceutical packaging until the digital era took over.
“When computers came in, all of a sudden everyone thought they could design and the industry changed completely. I moved away from it and found my love for teaching art. Being an artist is a struggle.
“You always have to reinvent yourself and hope for your break,” said Lees who has set up an art studio at his home.
His preferred medium is oil and he cleverly creates scenes where realism meets the abstract, drawing you into a world where you can create the story.
“I love abstract but it is rarely understood. The buyer will tell me his five-year-old child can paint that. Now, I add realism to the abstract by introducing people as my realistic point.”
The people however stay anonymous with subtle hints of who they might be, leaving it up to you to decide.
“The people in my paintings never face you. If you add a face, you add a character and a personality and an emotion.”
Watch Lees during a live art demo while enjoying a cup of fresh brew at Beanstruck at 9am on Saturday. To give the paintbrush a try, contact Lees at 079 233 1765.
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