Art by Ester Grobler

I work mainly in oils on stretched canvas. My subject matter is inspired by nature and the profound spiritual messages, life lessons, and daily reminders hidden therein, yet long forgotten or overlooked. I am often influenced by stories, folklore, and mythology from around the world. I aim to evoke a sense of universal oneness between our perceived realistic natural world and what I like to call alternate realism.

It’s a place where symbolism, sacred geometry, folklore, and mythology intertwine intricately. I invite the viewer to explore deeper, recall beyond our perceived limitations of separation, and remember that everything was, is, and always will be connected.

oil painting of a sea horse

The Patient Navigator

50cm x 100cm
Oil on Canvas
Original painting still available
A limited number of A3 and A2 original prints on photo-quality paper are also available
Prices on request.
Please note that price may vary depending on shipping costs

Throughout history, the seahorse was considered sacred in many mythologies and folklore. Often associated with the Greek god Poseidon and the Roman god Neptune. In ancient times, the seahorse was believed to guide drowned sailors safely to the afterlife through the ever-changing ocean currents. Sailors also believed that the seahorse brought them luck.

Today, the significant and potent symbolism of the seahorse still holds much power and authority, particularly in navigating difficult emotions. The element of water is synonymous with emotions, and the seahorse is a master navigator of the ocean’s depths.

In nature, the seahorse is a very poor swimmer and relies almost solely on the ocean currents to patiently navigate both calm and rough seas. Reminding us to navigate both calm and tumultuous in our own lives in a state of complete surrender.

Seahorses mate for life. When oceans are stormy, the two seahorses interlock their tails so that they don’t get separated by the ocean currents. Reminding us of the strong bond of love between two people, by sticking together during tumultuous times, the rough seas can be navigated and endured without getting separated or washed away by the currents.

Also, the male seahorse carries all the fertilised eggs on its tail until they hatch. These truly inspiring creatures remind us of the value of partnership and commitment that can withstand the upheavals and challenges in life and show that every storm can be weathered together.

There is so much that we can learn and be reminded of through nature. I encourage you to be curious and explore the profound lessons in nature for yourself. To remember that to true power lies in surrendering what we cannot control, and life’s challenges urge us to stick together instead of separate from those we love.

oil painting of a lion's head<br />

Echoes from Lyra

60cm x 76cm
Oil on Canvas
Original painting still available
A limited number of A3 and A2 original prints on photo quality paper are also available
Prices on request.
Please note that price may vary depending on shipping costs

The majestic lion is synonymous with strength, courage and power. The significant symbolism of the lion can be seen throughout history, in folklore and mythology, in almost every culture and in almost every religion to this day, with far too many stories to mention.

There is, however, still much we can learn from and through the lion.
Lions are unique felines in the fact that they live in a family unit called a pride. Each member of the pride has a role to fulfil in the unit. They hunt, protect their territory and raise their cubs together. This reminds us of the importance of unity in a community and family, regardless of what form that family might take: a group of friends, co-workers, like-minded people or actual family. Where a common goal exists, there exists a family.

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Lions hunt mostly at night or during storms, which makes it harder for their prey to hear or see them. They also hunt mostly near water sources. The females team up for the hunt and employ a chase and ambush tactic. This reminds us of the importance of strategy, teamwork, and a practical plan to achieve our goals. It also reminds us to view stormy conditions in life as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

The lion is an apex predator, which means that they don’t have any natural enemies. Hence why the lion is dubbed “king of the jungle”. However, the lion is classed as a critically endangered species, with the population reduced by over 40% over the last two decades due to poaching, loss of habitat and reduction in prey. The lesson we must learn from the lion is that there is no pride in hunting or killing any species to the brink of extinction or destroying natural habitat without a second thought. And there is no pride in upsetting the balance of nature due to the ignorant, selfish ego of man.

The spirit of the lion reminds us to be courageous and strong regardless of what we face in life, to be confident, and to believe in our abilities.

There is so much that we can learn and be reminded of through nature. I encourage you to be curious and explore the profound lessons in nature for yourself. To remember that nature operates in a balanced energy of give and take. If all we ever do is take from it, nothing but echoes will remain.

Chuprosa - oil painting of a hummingbird

Chuparosa

40cm x 40cm
Oil on Canvas
Original painting still available
A limited number of A3 and A2 original prints on photo-quality paper are also available
Prices on request
Please note that price may vary depending on shipping costs

The hummingbird is one of the most fascinating creatures in nature. It has captivated the imagination of people across many different cultures for centuries and holds many great reminders for us to this day. In Mexican folklore, the hummingbird is known as Chuparosa, which translates to “flower sucker”. Quite appropriate, seeing a hummingbird’s main diet consists of flower nectar. The Chuparosa is believed to have magical powers and is often associated with love and luck.

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The Inca and Hopi peoples believed the hummingbird to be a messenger from the gods. The Aztecs believed that the hummingbird was a reincarnation of the god of the sun and war and that its iridescent feathers were made from the rays of the sun. In Greek mythology, due to the splendour of its feathers, it was associated with the goddess of the rainbow.

The iridescent feathers of this tiny bird change colour depending on the direction of the sun, reminding us that spectacular beauty can be found in the smallest things in life. This little powerhouse flaps its wings in a figure 8 motion up to a remarkable 80 times per second, reminding us 80 times of the eternal nature of energy in a single second.

It has the unique ability to fly in all directions, including backwards. This remarkable ability reminds us that with hard work and determination, we can change our course or direction at any time and still be successful, even if it means we must fly backwards to move forward or change direction. In Greek mythology, this remarkable ability was seen as a symbol of the power to reverse time and change fate.

Visiting up to a thousand flowers per day, the hummingbird expends massive amounts of energy, with some species having a heart rate of over 1200 beats per minute. However, during the night and in colder temperatures, they can slow their heart rate down to approximately 50 beats per minute to conserve energy. This reminds us that periods of rest are equally important as periods of dedicated effort to reach our goals.

There is so much that we can learn and be reminded of through nature. I encourage you to be curious and explore the profound lessons in nature for yourself and to remember that astonishing beauty can be found in the smallest of things.

oil painting of an elephant's head with tusks

OM-nipotent

100cm x 100cm 
Oil on Canvas
Original painting SOLD!
A limited number of A3 and A2 original prints on photo-quality paper are still available
Prices on request.
Please note that price may vary depending on shipping costs

This painting was very near and dear to my heart, and it was part of my personal journey of healing after a great personal loss. 

Commissioned by Martie Underwood, it was inspired by the beautiful life of our dearly departed Anso Taljaard, who was the founder of Magalies Wellness Centre.  

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During her lifetime, Anso impacted and changed many lives and helped countless people heal and find themselves again. Her work continues to this day through the team at the wellness centre. 

Anso’s spirit animal was the elephant. 

Om, being the vibrational frequency of creation itself, omnipotent, being present everywhere and in everything. Knowing that when a loved one passes away, death is not the end because they are still ever present in the universe, and they are present in every living thing around us. Like the complex structure of a mycelial network, our essence will eternally be present in the very fabric of the universe. 

I used to paint realism mostly, but after the loss of Anso, nothing in my life was the same or made sense anymore. That experience transformed and changed me forever. 

Om-nipotent was the first painting I painted in the style I am currently working in.

oil painting of buffalo drinking water

Symbiotic Askari

71cm x 89cm 
Oil on Canvas
Original painting SOLD!
A limited number of A3 and A2 original prints on photo-quality paper are still available
Prices on request.
Please note that price may vary depending on shipping costs

Fascinating little bird, the red bill oxpecker. Found on mammals such as the African buffalo and the African rhino, this little fella eats large amounts of ticks found on mammals and also assists in keeping any wounds clean from larvae. They do, however, also pick at healing wounds in order to keep them open in order to feed. They line their nests with the hair that they pluck from the mammal. Thus, the mammal offers much to the existence and wellbeing of the bird.

In Swahili, this bird is called ‘Askari’, meaning soldier or guard, because of the vital role it plays in keeping mammals, especially rhinos, safe from harm by warning them of potential danger. Thus, both mammal and bird serve a vital function for each other’s existence and survival. Symbiotic Askari.

There is so much that we can learn and be reminded of through nature. I encourage you to be curious and explore the profound lessons in nature for yourself.  Remember that one good deed deserves another. Regardless of how big or how small, it can greatly impact and improve life on earth in general if we all become symbiotic askari.

 

oil painting of a bear and frog

Unconditional

100cm x 100cm 
Oil on Canvas
Original painting SOLD!
A limited number of A3 and A2 original prints on photo quality paper are still available
Prices on request.
Please note that price may vary depending on shipping costs

I feel honoured and humbled to have had the opportunity to create this painting, commissioned by Dean Underwood. It portrays the beautiful love between two very special souls through the symbolism of their respective spirit animals. The title of the painting needs no further explanation. 

 

oil painting of a tree frog

The Rain Keeper

60cm x 60cm 
Oil on Canvas
Original painting SOLD!
A limited number of A3 and A2 original prints on photo quality paper are still available
Prices on request.
Please note that price may vary depending on shipping costs

The spirit of the frog reminds us to take a leap of faith in life. Frogs can not endure toxic environments, so the spirit of the frog challenges us to recognise when we find ourselves in one and to leap out of it. 

From a shamanic perspective, the frog is seen as a walker between worlds because it can enter the water and return to land.

The frog’s life cycle, like that of a butterfly, is a powerful symbol of transformation and a reminder that transformation is a necessary part of life for personal growth. 

Native Americans believed that frogs were the keepers of rain. When frogs appeared, rain would soon follow. 

The frog is also associated with fertility, abundance and luck.

There is so much that we can learn and be reminded of through nature. I encourage you to be curious and explore the profound lessons in nature for yourself and to remember that transformation is a necessary part of growth.

 

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