One long summer school holiday, in the early 1970’s my mother rented the vacant hair dressing salon in Mooi River, KZN, for me to teach art. Little did I realise then that that small project would evolve into a lifelong interest of mine.

School holidays were also time to spin, knit, weave, make clay and wooden objects and generally discover the joy of making and of creating. When I moved to study art seriously in Johannesburg, I felt the call to share  these special crafts and volunteered to introduce teaching of spinning and weaving to the patients at Baragwanath Hospital. The occupational therapy department there were thrilled to incorporate me into their programme, based on the already established skills I had acquired from the years of “hands on” teaching at my family farm in Mooi River.

Studying and working at the Johannesburg Art Foundation in the 1970’s was a great experience for growing my own career in painting and drawing.

In 1981 when I moved to Cape Town I contacted local artists who had attended Thupelo workshops, and were familiar with its teaching philosophy which resonates with my own.

Decade long friendships developed with these artists, plus many others from Southern Africa and from abroad as Thupelo grew in recognition. This of course has influenced my teaching method and has influenced the way I work.

In the 1980’s I extended my methods to “pop up” studio environments, teaching in projects and various  institutions like the O.T. department at Groote Schuur hospital and Valkenberg, UCT Summer school and community projects including Philani, Orange art project and Siyabonani (at the Zeitz Mocaa).

Within each session I am able to focus on the work of each person. The group is encouraged to interact with one another, exchanging experiences and practise in a safe and creative environment. This interaction extends the notions of art making and awareness.