The first brushstroke is often the hardest.
Not because of the technique, but because it means setting aside self-doubt and permitting yourself to create.

It is a moment Danielle Vorster has watched unfold time and again as people arrive at Slurp & Paint – a painting event she co-hosts- convinced they can’t even draw a stick figure, only to leave proudly carrying home a painting they never believed they could create.

The artist, who has worked professionally since 2023, believes the true value of art extends far beyond the canvas. Armed with an honours degree in psychology, her passion lies in positive psychology – exploring the experiences that naturally help people feel happier, calmer and more connected. “I believe art is therapeutic because it slows you down to the pace of life. You’re focused on making beautiful marks and, without even realising it, your body begins to relax.” Adding people’s often breathing slows, their nervous system settles, and even though they’re thinking about colours and composition, they’re actually resting.

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Vorster’s own relationship with art began almost as soon as she could hold a pencil.
“Before I could really think about what I was doing, I was drawing and painting,” she said. “It was always there whenever I wanted to do something fun.”

That lifelong love of creativity now shapes every Slurp & Paint session she hosts, where the emphasis is not on producing perfect artwork but on creating a welcoming, judgement-free environment. “We are often judged, especially for the things we put effort into.” She believes a creative space gives people the freedom to explore what they like, express themselves and discover what they really want.

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Watching that transformation is what she enjoys most. “I love that it’s a live experience where people come together to have fun and simply see what they can create. People’s emotional journeys are fascinating. With support, we can go much further than we ever thought we could.”

Vorster believes creativity is something everyone possesses, whether they realise it or not. “Planning a holiday, cooking a meal, organising your home or deciding how to spend your money all involve creativity. It just needs to be nurtured.”

Her advice for anyone convinced they are not artistic is to keep trying. “Because whatever you give your time and attention to will reward you.”

By the end of every session, she hopes participants leave with much more than a completed painting. “I want them to remember how scared they were at the beginning, how uncertain they felt, and then look at what they’ve created and realise, ‘I did that’.”

For Vorster, that’s the real masterpiece: helping people discover that they are capable of more than they ever imagined.

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