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Wednesday, April 18, 2018

JOE MARAIS EXHIBITION


(“Yellow Flowers” acrylic on canvas by Joe Marais)

Blue Caterpillar Gallery in Pietermaritzburg has a new exhibition by Joe Marais, familiar to many clients for his wildlife painting. His professional approach to his art and his passion is certainly what keeps this local artist very active in the art world.

The exhibition is a representation of his talent to create a variety of subject matters including wildlife, waterscapes and décor pieces.

Although Marais has had no formal art training, a natural talent and love for drawing led him to start sketching and painting. Inspired by the natural beauty of the African landscape and wildlife, his creative abilities grew and he gradually developed his own style in his preferred medium of acrylics.

In June 1993, his painting of two sparrows on a milk-can was selected for the back page of Readers' Digest. In 1995, he was invited to exhibit at the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibition. He has also exhibited successfully in Central Park, New York, Canada and London.

In 2004, he exhibited at the Safari Club International Convention in Reno, Nevada. His paintings can now be found all over the world. He presented art classes for many years as well as art demonstrations to members of various art societies. His work has sparked the interest of both local and foreign tourists who are pleased to purchase a visual keepsake of South Africa.

He equates the painting of a canvas to a stage performance, where the success of the show is measured by the response of the audience. This inspires and motivates him. Marais paints to share his story, his vision and conceptual symbolism - his passionate love affair with painting the natural scenes of life outdoors.

The Joe Marais exhibition runs until the end of June, 2018.

The Blue Caterpillar Gallery is situated at the Butterflies for Africa complex at 37 Willowton Road in Pietermaritzburg. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday from 09h00 to 15h30, Saturdays 09h30 to 15h30 and Sundays 10h30 to 15h30.

More information from Jeni Cramer on 033 387 1356 or email art@butterflies.co.za or visit www.butterflies.co.za