Combining digital drawings with acrylic paint, Adele Naidoo’s works caught our eye recently. Her large-scale florals are created with thick, textured brush strokes and dripping paint for a unique take on the still-life genre. “I would describe my work as colourful, bold, feminine, fresh and fun,” says the self-taught artist who is based in Perth.
Adele’s childhood provides a good bit of insight into her creative journey – she grew up immersed in nature in South Africa, raised by her artist father. “Growing up in South Africa, art and nature surrounded me. I learnt to see the beauty found in nature and I always admired my dad’s still lives of birds and flowers which has been interpreted throughout my works,” says Adele who holds a diploma in interior design and juggles her art practice with a full-time job as an art teacher.
“I have been creating and experimenting with art for many years. Art has always been a passion of mine, but only in recent years have I endeavoured to find my style,” says Adele whose first collection was comprised of 12 large-scale, digitally drawn bird portraits. Having moved on from pure digital art of late, Adele has combined her stylus with acrylic paint in this latest collection.
“I digitally hand draw my flowers using a stylus pen, experimenting with composition and colours before printing onto canvas,” says Adele. Layers of texture are then added by way of acrylic paint that is overlaid on the drawings – thick brush strokes and paint drips add key final touches.
“My latest collection with Greenhouse Interiors allowed me to push myself, my style and my skill set. It is my first original series and also features my first still life. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I had so much fun experimenting and creating it. My only hope is that it brightens someone’s day.”
In a coup for Adele, one of her prints was seen in Deb and Andy’s Block formal lounge room on Sunday night and the judges loved it.
Photography: Armelle Habib | Styling: Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Jessica Retallack, Justine Lanigan and Sophie Barratt
Shop online | Artist & farmer Kate Owen’s work is inspired by drought
THANK YOU so so much for featuring me, I am so humbled and grateful, it is so beautifully written xx
Oh, it is our pleasure. Your work is divine!
Her work is beautiful and refreshing.