Artist Caryn McArthy, of Kommetjie, will exhibit her work at the Where Wild Things Grow exhibition in Elgin.
The event takes place at Wildekrans Country House during the Elgin Open Gardens on Saturday and Sunday November 2 and 3.
Ms McArthy, who has lived in Kommetjie for the past six years, has a personal connection to the Elgin area, having once lived there.
“To be coming back as an artist is literally a dream come true,” she says.
After spending decades as a creative director in the magazine industry, where deadlines fuelled her creativity, Ms McArthy found herself retrenched three years ago.
“I always dreamed of being a florist so I decided to take the package and completely change my direction at 52.”
Inspired by the beauty of flowers, she felt a strong desire to capture their essence through painting.
After taking art classes, she rediscovered a passion for oil painting.
“It’s like a light went on inside me.”
She describes the medium as “delicious, gloopy, messy, and often challenging”.
Her artistic growth has been nurtured by Salon 104, a supportive community of about 18 artists who meet once a month.
“The support of these women was incredible,” she says. “I would never have had the courage to step out of my comfort zone and put myself out there for potential criticism.”
This support resulted in valuable feedback and sales of her work, affirming her decision to pursue art full-time.
The exhibition is hosted by Alison Green and Barry Gould. Each year, they invite emerging artists to exhibit on the estate during the charity garden show.
For 2024, Ms McArthy and fellow artist Joanne Miller, of Constantia, were selected.
According to Ms Green, their work “syncs magically with the wild surroundings”.
She says she was especially drawn to Ms McArthy’s floral still-life art, which she encountered at a Cape Town art show earlier this year.
“In this crazy, tumultuous world, her work is centring, tranquil, and encourages pause – a much-needed respite in this time.”
The exhibition will also support the Bot River Education Foundation, which prepares children for tertiary education, with entry by donation.
“Together, we’ve transformed the inside of our historic barn into an enchanting display filled with fresh flowers and vibrant colours, providing an exciting backdrop for their artworks,” says Ms Green.
Looking back, Ms McArthy acknowledges that taking her leap of faith has come with challenges. “But I feel this is where I need to be right now, and it’s bringing me tremendous growth.”
