Life is a canvas for local artist

Erika Joubert is an artist who fell in love with art from childhood. The Strubenvale resident says she has always been drawn to creation, be it sketching, painting, or designing.

“Art became a way for me to express myself and through difficult times it became my therapy, and over time, turned into a lifelong journey of creativity and discovery.”

Now she is older and art has continued to play a crucial role in her life as it has become a career through personal work and teaching.

“The joy of creating and seeing how art can bring happiness and confidence to others inspired me to turn my passion into a career.

“Teaching art, especially to children, allows me to share this love while helping young artists develop their creative voices whilst having fun.”

Erika describes her style as expressive and detailed, with a mix of realism and storytelling elements.

“I am influenced by the world around me – nature, emotions, and the personalities of both people and animals. My creative process often starts with a powerful idea or feeling, which I translate into a visual narrative using different mediums.”

She adds art should evoke emotion and tell a story.

“Whether through my art or teaching, I want to inspire a sense of wonder, curiosity, and appreciation for creativity.”

As an avid artist, Erika has sought to impart her knowledge to young minds by running an art studio for children.

“As the owner of Kêkkel en Kraai Kuns/Studio, an extra mural art activity dedicated to teaching children the joy of creativity, we offer a variety of classes, including sketching, painting, design, and 3D art, tailored to different age groups and skill levels.

“Our focus is on making art fun and accessible, allowing children to explore different techniques while developing confidence in their creativity.

“I also have women in my weekly classes who escape the reality of the everyday hustle by creating with friends and developing their art skills at their own pace.”

She says her inspiration for working with children comes from their outlook on life.

“Children have an incredible ability to see the world uniquely and imaginatively. I wanted to create a space where they can express themselves freely, without the fear of making mistakes.

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“Laughter plays a big role in my teaching approach because when children are relaxed and having fun, they naturally learn and grow in their artistic abilities.”

She hopes they develop confidence, problem-solving skills and a lifelong appreciation for creativity.

“Art teaches patience, perseverance, and the ability to see the world from different perspectives – valuable lessons that extend beyond the canvas.”

Erika says with her growing career and passion for teaching, she hopes to collaborate with a few stakeholders.

“I would love to collaborate with artists, schools, and businesses in Springs who share a passion for creativity and community development.

“I’m also open to working with animal protection organisations. There are a few art competitions where I am enrolling my art. I keep myself busy because my brain always thinks about the next ten steps.”