INTRODUCING

Carolien van der Westhuizen

From a young age, Carolien showed an innate creativity—constantly rearranging her surroundings and convincing her parents to repaint her bedroom walls just to experiment with colour and mood. Her passion for drawing and painting flourished throughout her school years, with a strong leaning toward photorealism. At that stage, she saw realism as the pinnacle of artistic expression. It wasn’t until she pursued graphic design at university that her creative world expanded. Immersed in a variety of styles—from abstract to impressionism—she discovered new ways of seeing and expressing beauty.

Carolien now paints from a place of joy and curiosity, reconnecting with the carefree spirit of her childhood. Her hope is that her artwork evokes the same sense of wonder and happiness in others that she experiences while creating. For her, success lies in that emotional connection.

Her artistic inspiration is rooted in three elements: colour, countryside, and coastline. Yet, she avoids boxing herself into any one genre or method. Exploration is at the heart of her process—she embraces a wide range of materials and techniques, finding freedom and expression in experimentation itself.

Art has become a way for Carolien to engage with the world around her—a therapeutic outlet that helps her navigate life’s transitions and reflect on the evolving landscapes of both place and self.