Marleen van Aardt

They say we are shaped by our childhoods. For me, that meant growing up under the African sun. My world was fluid, vibrant, and always in motion. I brought that same sense of wonder, along with a scientist’s obsession for detail (thanks to a PhD in Food Science), into my art.

But this page isn't really about me. It’s about you. I paint in oil, often outdoors, to capture the living, shifting energy of nature. I do this because I believe in the magic of "finding yourself" in the landscape. When You choose to live with art, you aren't just decorating a room. You are making a statement about how you value your own daily experience.

• You value tranquility: You want to walk into your home after a hectic day and feel the calm of a wind-swept field or the cool of a dappled forest.

• You value authenticity: You appreciate that each painting is a unique, fleeting moment I captured while parked along a rural road, often waiting for my husband’s cycling race to speed by, with my spunky conure, Smitty, cheering us on.

• You value yourself: Investing in original art shows that you believe your space—your sanctuary—deserves to be filled with beauty, passion, and life.

Whether you are looking for a painting that reminds you of a distant ocean or one that brings the beauty of Upstate New York into your living room, my goal is to create a portal to the natural world.

Take a look around. I hope you find a piece that speaks to the beauty you deserve to see every day.