FROM finding his passion for art as a young child, to exhibiting across Kouga including Jeffreys Bay and Cape St Francis, Jeffreys Bay artist Luan Cloete (28) aspires to make a difference with quality art.
Bringing colour, life and beauty in the homes of residents.
Focusing on diverse fauna and colourful flora, as well as sunsets as subject matter, he paints freely with colour to express emotion, staying committed to realistic interpretations.
The result: calming works of art that transport viewers to a place of serenity.
Cloete, a multi-medium artist who specialises in original acrylic paintings, started art lessons with Mariëtta Croucamp when he was only se-ven years old – winning various art competitions throughout his school career.
He sold his first personalised artwork at the age of 10.
“As I got older and moved through the waves of life, art has always been there for me – whe-ther therapeutic or transporting me to a tranquil place of peace,” says Cloete.
Since moving from St Francis Bay to Jeffreys Bay in October last year, he was even more inspired by the untamed beauty and diversity the area offers.
In a bid to produce unique and distinct art pieces, Cloete mixes primary colours – using water-based acrylic paint – to create ‘new’ colours for each aspect of his artwork.
“My work has often been mistaken for oil paintings due to the vivid and rich colours that are similar to oil paintings,” says Cloete who often uses his fingers and hands to obtain the required results.
According to Cloete, he mostly uses brushes to apply paint, but in moments of weakness through passion he often drops the brushes and applies, mixes and swirls colours with his hands.
His artwork includes paintings such as a surfer pondering while on his board, while admiring the ocean with an endless horizon to the complexity of a King Protea with every petal imperfectly in its place.
Successful art exhibitions include a recent display of over 40 paintings at Brewhaha in Jeffreys Bay. In 2015 he partnered with SANCCOB in Cape St Francis, painting 12 of their home pen penguins for a unique 2016 year calendar. Called “Beacon of Hope”, all the paintings and calenders were exhibited and sold at the Cape St Francis Lighthouse.
Last year, Cloete had a selection of paintings in shops in St Francis Bay.
His next exhibition, in partnership with St Francis Point Wine, will take place at Five Elements in St Francis Bay. The date for the exhibition, called “The Last Vintage as the wine estate will no longer be producing wine, is yet to be confirmed.
This passionate artist now plans to open his own art studio in April this year, where he can host workshops for aspiring artists – from beginner to advance level.
“Classes offered at the workshops will focus on young students and adults who aspire to learn more about art, from basic to advance skills,” says Cloete.
“The goal: to equip everyone with the skills to become an artist through discovering their potential and own style.”
“Pursuing art as a full-time career, establishing an art studio and sharing art with everyone is a dream come true.”
For more information, contact Cloete at 079 529 1161 or send an email to luancloeteart@gmail.com. Alternatively, visit Cloete’s Facebook Page – Luan Cloete Art.
