Justine Van De Weg, Bedfordshire
Member Since August 2007
Artist Statement I'm originally from South Africa in Cape Town. I was trained by one of the top 10 art teachers in Cape Town, Laura Wenman who trained me for 7 years to which we ran an art school in Cape Town later. The school is still currently running and has been running since 1997.
I then went to Reyno Swart, who is one of the top 5 Oil painters in SA and trained under him for 2 years.
Our art school taught from the French Impressionists and Old Masters learning their rules and their history. From sketching to perspective, vinette, tonal patterns, comparative measuring, anatomy, to prepare one for the oil painting course,Soft and oil pastels and acrylic painting.
The course was a base to train people who would eventually want to branch off in their favorite career.
Careers involved - Interior design, Graphic Design, Photography, Architechture, Landscaping, Dress design, Commercial design, Fine Art are some examples.
The course evolved every year by learning from students with difficulties and challenges that they faced. Every student was handeled differntly according to their observational level and what made them comfortable to receive information.
Art Therapy also started and we also worked with people from all walks of life from people who were in car accidents who couldn't use their right brains, to people with brain tumours, people who had gone through any kind of trauma.Or people who just wanted to destress.
I worked closely with children who were downsyndrome and autistic too. Children who were abused sexually or abandoned by their parents. As no money was funded from the goverment in Cape Town, this was charity work - which I believe is very important.
I am currently now living in London as I would like to expand my knowledge this side and do art exhibitions this side. I have been working with Hertfordshire goverment and doing art therapy with children who do drug abuse, abused or children who have run away from home.
I also work with children in schools and tackle issues of low self esteem, confidence building, getting through to childen who are bullies and have issues that have come up from their current home life.
As well as adults and teach the Art course from the French Academy.
I'm currently doing team building days with adults too either in corporate companies or with adults who work with children from trauma backrounds.
My aim is to let people have fun and find ways for them to destress and get back to basics of life, appreciating their talent and ones who would like to learn and grow further in the art field.
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