Last year we awarded our first ‘Creativity Connects Us’ Award – sponsored by Artsavingsclub to Hester Strumpfer.
If you’ve been reading your newsletters, one fact would have been obvious – Hester never misses the opportunity to take part, try new subjects and challenge convention.
This is a difficult award to explain – its about the commitment to create, love for the process, taking part and showing up even when the chips are down.
In our last challenge Hester walked away with both the prize and the bragging rights, and we asked her to share her veritable library of submissions, her process and what makes her take on each challenge with so much gusto.
But let’s hear it from Hester:
About Me
I have a Science background and I tend to enter each drawing with a huge amount of research and planning. I work 99% from my own references.
I collect props and trinkets and often design a complete costume for a model. I prefer to do portraits, but am always willing to try other subjects too.
All the artworks included in this post were completed either for a Member Challenge or a Drawing Guild Exhibition.
My Driving Force
My art is my therapy and my coping mechanism. I do art from my heart. I challenge myself constantly and set specific goals and standards.
My Inspiration
I am a scholar for life. I connect with artists across the globe and I do regular gallery visits wherever I am. I never stop looking for ideas and learning new techniques.
My Process
When I plan anything, I first form a mental picture. Then I interview a model and discuss my idea. We research many reference ideas together. I either photograph everything myself, or art direct with a photographer.
Hester shares the process for her artwork ‘Princess Cairo’ which she did for our Fantasy Challenge – from planning and painstakingly making the costume, to sketching and the completed work.
The above drawing was a miniature for the Fine Lines 2022 Exhibition – this was exhibited at Artsavingsclub in George.
Below is Hester’s reference for Member Challenge 1 – a beach challenge and the beautiful drawing ‘Abundance’ completed in Soft Pastel.
My Creative Expression
I often try to convey a message with my art; sometimes I just create out of pure joy. I am very intuitive, and I always know almost immediately what I want to do.
I love chiaroscuro as it is a strong way of artistic communication.
My Mediums
I work in charcoal, pastel, and ink. I only use the best quality drawing materials and paper. My bokeh drawing was done on drafting film.
My Message
Work hard and with dedication. And never ever say you don’t have enough time. Manage your time wisely.
How my Creativity Connects me with Others
I am inspired by Helena Hugo (pastel work,) Stian Bam and Michael Smith (charcoal), Lizl Bode (technique and mentor) Pieter van der Merwe, Jono Dry and Brandon Lee Ponen (technique).
I belong to three Arts Societies and The South African Drawing Guild.
Degrees of Realism Participation
I love connecting with people and it was a great honour to receive the first Creativity Connects us Award, as that is who I really am. Blessings in creating from your heart and Soul.
Hester Strümpfer
Franschhoek
Western Cape
