Marittie De Villiers, a South African artist, holds a B.A. in Communications from Potchefstroom University, where she majored in Psychology, Journalism, and Marketing. Her academic background, combined with a lifelong curiosity about people and cultures, deeply influences her artistic vision. Drawing from her personal experiences and extensive travels, she explores the richness of diverse lifestyles and the shared language of human expression.
Captivated by the human face, Marittie is especially inspired by the emotional nuances that transcend cultural boundaries, revealing the universal essence of the human experience. This fascination continues to shape her original works, giving them both intimacy and depth.
With every new piece, she embraces the unknown - allowing her subjects to guide her style, brushwork, and technique. Rather than following a rigid process, Marittie relies on instinct, intuition, and creative freedom to bring her vision to life on canvas.
Artist Statement
I am a painter, totally obsessed with the first thing a baby sees - the face of his or her mother and father. Through a face flows communication, love, and the expression of life. As an artist, it is important for me to communicate how I experience life, and I do this through painting portraits. I use colour, varied brushstrokes, and thick paint applied with palette knives. I am known for working on large-scale canvases. My perspective on life is expressed through painting the strength and power of people, but always with gentleness and kindness. I believe that every individual should follow their own heart and passion bravely.
My life shows an adventurous side to my personality. I lived and sailed on a yacht with my family for five years in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the South Atlantic, and the USA. My daughters were born in the Caribbean - just a quick hop off the boat to the midwife and back again. I have parachuted, travelled solo to Greece and Singapore, and with friends to Israel, Bali, and Italy. I also lived in Paris, France, as a resident artist. When living on a farm outside Mossel Bay, I homeschooled my two daughters during their primary school years, while beginning my art career. I would not say that I enjoy extreme sports, but I most definitely embrace extreme life changes, different homes, and intense contrasts in life experiences.
My art career spans 21 years, and I feel blessed to be an artist. Presently, I live and work in one of the greenest and most peaceful parts of Cape Town, called Gardens.
I do commissions on request. My paintings are in private collections internationally and nationally.
Marittie's Work Has Been Featured in the Following Publications
Home Owner Magazine - August 2024
Cover of Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Magazine - November 2020
Rapport Newspaper - 3 March 2019. Marittie painted a commissioned work of a murdered farmer, mixing the paint with his remains.
Premier Lounge Magazine - July 2018
Win a home with Steyn City on Mnet TV - 2016
House and Leisure - January 2016
Biography
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Pre-2004
- Born 8 January 1966
- Matriculate from Potchefstroom Gymnasium in 1983
- Earn B.A. Communications degree from Potchefstroom University
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2004
I started my painting career in 2004, after returning to South Africa from a 4-year sailing voyage. I started the voyage from Cape Town with my then-husband and returned with him, two toddlers and two cats, after giving birth in the Caribbean to both children.
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2011
The Hyatt Regency Golf Spa & Resort hosts my first solo show called "Layers". I completed 32 artworks in 30 days to be ready for the opening night. The Solo has become a permanent exhibition to this day.
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2012
- April: Waterborne - Solo @ Brooklyn Theatre in Pretoria
- August: Nedbank Golf Challenge Solo @ Hyatt Hotel in Oubaai
- September: One day solo @ Woodhill Golf Estate
- September: One night solo - Spring Charity Ball @ Hyatt in Rosebank, Johannesburg
- November: One day solo @ Circle of Friends in Pretoria
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2013
- Fashionable Love Story with Dennis Lloyd @ Atterbury Theatre
- My artwork is used as CD cover for musician Herman van den Berg
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2014
- January: House and Leisure Magazine House of the month of Jaco Lotheringen with my painting "Rio"
- Awarded for Contribution in Visual Art on International and National Level @ Potchefstroom University
- June: Solo - Fusion @ Benguela Cove during Hermanus Fine Art Festival
- Solo - Commonalities @ Waterfall Estate, Johannesburg
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2015
- Solo "Greatest Love of All" @ Artscape Theatre in Cape Town
- Art for Borneo - Donate one painting for the project
- Part of Top 100 of SANLAM Portrait Award with painting Antonia
- Art Auction @ Stephan Welz with "Moonjogger"
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2016
- Group exhibition "Gaan se virrie Angels" At Tank Art Gallery
- Intuitive Solo Exhibition @ Getwine, Saltriver, Cape Town
- Group exhibition of opening of Bronze Foundry/Harbour Gallery in Harbour, Cape Town
- October: Solo "Soulbatical" @ Tank Art Gallery in Stellenbosch
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2017
- April: Solo Exhibition 528 Hz @ Youngblood, Cape Town
- August: Group Exhibition at Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
- Orchids in Art @ Stephan Welz Donated paintings for the project of planting orchids after fires
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2018
- April: Solo exhibition "Wildness of Good" @ Waterfall Estate, Jhb
- "GEMS" Exhibition @ Lindy van Niekerk Art Gallery
- Belle Fleur Summer Art Exhibition @ ORT House, Houghton, JHB
- Goldilocks and the Bear Art Auction @ Nasdak Building, Cape Town
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2019
“Something old.. something new" - Solo @ Imibala Gallery, Somerset West
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2020
- Feb: Resident artist at Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris from 3 – 29 Feb.
- Oct: I exhibit my work "Power of Silence" at Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town. From October 2020 - October 2021.
- See The Music Exhibition @ Benguela Cove Wine Estate, SA (2020 - 2021)
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2021
Solo Exhibition @ Waterfront in collaboration with Cape Town Gin
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2024
Solo Exhibition in collaboration with the architect for his Home Show @ Helderfontein Estate, Johannesburg.
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2025
I am currently represented in Johannesburg, George at the Oubaai Hotel with a permanent Solo Exhibition since 2011 and in the UK by my personal agent.
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Overseas Trips
Overseas trips to broaden my exposure of other cultures and inspire my artwork:
- 2013 - Venice, Florence, Lido, Italy Art Biennale
- 2014 - Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini, Athene in Greece
- 2016 - Israel
- 2017 - Singapore, Bali
- 2020 - Resident artist in Paris, France in February @ Cite Internationale Des Arts