Behind the scenes of a full time artist
Elke Leroux is a full time artist as well as a part time ceramist and architect.
Jana Hougaard
Elke had a love for art ever since she was young. She was part of a crafty friends group when she was little and had art as a subject at school. Elke specialises in painting of which styles include acrylic, enamel sketches which include pen and ink, charcoal, ceramics, leatherwork as well as needlework. She believes that all of the genres of art fit together to form the word art. Elke would like to explore woodwork further as well as print making.
Elke studied fine arts at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa where she received her honours degree. She started to do large paintings for companies which led her to an interest in set design. Many of the set designers did architecture and she was always fascinated with historical buildings and industrial structures. Elke wanted a stability in her career path and so she studied architecture at the Metropolitan Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Elke comes from a very creative family.Elke’s inspiration for doing art was her great grandmother. Her great grandmother wasn’t a full time artist, but she was great at needlework and painting.Elke’s grandmother was a Home Economics teacher and so she thought her needlework as she was very good at it.Elke added that her grandfather was also very creative but he was trapped as a dentist. Elke’s parents encouraged her and her brother ro follow their passions and do what they love and so they both pursued and art career. Their parents pursued other careers but they were also very creative.
Elke says that she tries not to compare herself to others, she tries to focus on her own accomplishments and competes against herself. Elke states that one of her biggest accomplishments is designing the nampost post stamps for which she gained inspiration for and art exhibition she wants to have in 2018 or 2019. Elke said that she had to design stamps about the diamonds of Namibia and when she came across pictures she realised the beauty has never been showcased and so she would like to theme her next exhibition after the diamonds of Namibia. She quoted that her ultimate goal is to open her own gallery and workshop where she can occasionally have open nights as exhibitions are always themed. Elke will soon open a studio in sea point, Cape Town as she says you can’t limit yourself.
Elke considers ceramics as part of her free time as every 10 minutes is different and it is such a unique and fun form of art, but besides for doing art all of the time she enjoys sitting on the porch and talking with friends for hours and hours as well as reading, camping and occasionally knitting. She added that she is lucky as her career is just a hobby turned into a career. She says that with art as a career every single day is different, one do has their challenges each day as well, but knowing that you can create something that wasn’t there brings great satisfaction. Elke would motivate anyone to pursue an art career as opportunities are endless, you will have a fulfilled life and you will definitely never be bored. If you follow your passion you truly don’t have to work a day in your life, she added with a smile.
Elke had a love for art ever since she was young. She was part of a crafty friends group when she was little and had art as a subject at school. Elke specialises in painting of which styles include acrylic, enamel sketches which include pen and ink, charcoal, ceramics, leatherwork as well as needlework. She believes that all of the genres of art fit together to form the word art. Elke would like to explore woodwork further as well as print making.
Elke studied fine arts at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa where she received her honours degree. She started to do large paintings for companies which led her to an interest in set design. Many of the set designers did architecture and she was always fascinated with historical buildings and industrial structures. Elke wanted a stability in her career path and so she studied architecture at the Metropolitan Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Elke comes from a very creative family.Elke’s inspiration for doing art was her great grandmother. Her great grandmother wasn’t a full time artist, but she was great at needlework and painting.Elke’s grandmother was a Home Economics teacher and so she thought her needlework as she was very good at it.Elke added that her grandfather was also very creative but he was trapped as a dentist. Elke’s parents encouraged her and her brother ro follow their passions and do what they love and so they both pursued and art career. Their parents pursued other careers but they were also very creative.
Elke says that she tries not to compare herself to others, she tries to focus on her own accomplishments and competes against herself. Elke states that one of her biggest accomplishments is designing the nampost post stamps for which she gained inspiration for and art exhibition she wants to have in 2018 or 2019. Elke said that she had to design stamps about the diamonds of Namibia and when she came across pictures she realised the beauty has never been showcased and so she would like to theme her next exhibition after the diamonds of Namibia. She quoted that her ultimate goal is to open her own gallery and workshop where she can occasionally have open nights as exhibitions are always themed. Elke will soon open a studio in sea point, Cape Town as she says you can’t limit yourself.
Elke considers ceramics as part of her free time as every 10 minutes is different and it is such a unique and fun form of art, but besides for doing art all of the time she enjoys sitting on the porch and talking with friends for hours and hours as well as reading, camping and occasionally knitting. She added that she is lucky as her career is just a hobby turned into a career. She says that with art as a career every single day is different, one do has their challenges each day as well, but knowing that you can create something that wasn’t there brings great satisfaction. Elke would motivate anyone to pursue an art career as opportunities are endless, you will have a fulfilled life and you will definitely never be bored. If you follow your passion you truly don’t have to work a day in your life, she added with a smile.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article