Suzette Ferreira
Welcome to my art world, where I transform pain into beauty and darkness into light. After 24 years in business, I followed my dreams to pursue an art career inspired by nature and the far edges of civilization. My work, from the profound depths of “My Dark Materials” to the playful “Bird on a Perch,” explores the delicate balance between struggle and joy.
I invite you to linger and let your eyes explore the images and paintings below. Discover the stories they tell, and see if you can sense my signature touch.
Inspired By
Artwork Collections
"Blue Hour" is a stunning collection that captures the serene beauty of Lion's Head in Cape Town, bathed in the soft, ethereal light just before dawn and after sunset. Each artwork in this series is a tribute to the mountain's majestic silhouette, rendered in deep blues that evoke the tranquil transition between day and night, with accents of gold foil that highlight the mountain's peaks and contours. The contrast between the cool blues and the warm gold creates a sense of depth and timelessness, inviting viewers to experience the quiet, reflective moments of the blue hour. This series, created using a unique blend of acrylic painting and gold leaf application, is a meditation on nature's calm and the subtle power of light as it plays across the landscape.
"Mother Tree" is a deeply personal collection that reflects my journey through recovery and the strength I found in nature's symbolism. Featuring three iconic trees that have crossed my path during my years travelling Africa—a stately Blue Gum near Struisbaai, a resilient Camelthorn in the Namib Desert, and a majestic Baobab in Zambia—each piece captures the essence of eternal motherhood, endurance, and the nurturing power of nature. Painted in rich blues with touches of gold foil, the trees are framed in circles against a stark black background, their roots visible and grounding, symbolising the deep connections to family and community. Created during my recovery from sepsis, this series represents hope, strength, and the profound healing power of these enduring symbols.
"Bird on a Perch" is a whimsical collection that combines the playful spirit of animals, primarily dogs, each adorned with imaginative touches like crowns or wings and always accompanied by a small bird perched somewhere on their body. Set against a bright blue background, the white acrylic animals are outlined in black pen and sometimes include accents of gold foil, adding a touch of magic where it feels right. Each piece tells its own story, like 'WORSIE,' my Angel-Dachshund artwork, which symbolises playful ambition, resilience, and nobility. The Dachshund, often seen as a mascot of achievement and mission, is celebrated with a golden crown for its noble spirit, flax flower blue for tranquillity, and sand tones for peace. "Bird on a Perch" invites you into a world where every creature is a character, embodying joy, spirit, and a sense of adventure.
This series explores the ethereal connection between the natural world and the unseen forces that shape it. Each painting captures the spirit of the earth and sea, where air, water, and land converge in a harmonious dance. Through delicate layers of blue and transparent forms, this series invites viewers to sense nature's guardians' quiet, powerful presence as they move through their elemental realms.
The "Sentinel Series" is a powerful tribute to the timeless guardians of the landscape. Each artwork embodies strength, solitude, and the quiet dignity of nature. Drawing inspiration from South African artist Pierneef's use of simplified landscapes and the delicate, centred compositions of Japanese woodblock artist Joichi Hoshi, this series captures the essence of trees as sentinels of the earth.
Each canvas captures the distinct character of these solitary trees, standing solid and vibrant against bold backgrounds. The interplay of colour and light, especially where the golden foil catches the eye, adds depth and warmth, inviting viewers to connect with the quiet strength of nature. This collection is a tribute to the enduring spirit of these trees, symbols of life and stability in a world of constant change.
"Caught in Stone" is a mesmerising collection that captures the ancient beauty and mystery of life preserved in stone. This series of painted acrylic artworks brings fossils to life, transforming them from mere remnants of the past into vibrant, living creatures. The intricate details and textures in these works highlight the delicate balance between life and the forces of nature that have shaped our world. I invite you to be enlightened and inspired by the transformative power of art as you bring prehistoric history into your home.
"My Dark Materials" is a captivating exploration of light, shadow, and the unseen depths of nature, divided into two compelling subcategories: Dark Horse and Dark Water. Each piece is crafted with black acrylic on a black background, creating an intriguing effect where the image only reveals itself through the play of light and shadow, bringing the artwork to life in a striking 3D form. Dark Horse features powerful and enigmatic depictions of horses, their forms emerging from the darkness with a sense of strength and mystery. Dark Water delves into the ocean's depths, capturing the elusive beauty of sea creatures like octopuses, whales, and sharks, their shapes subtly surfacing from the shadows. This collection, inspired by the concept of 'chiaroscuro' in art, is a testament to the power of minimalism and the magic that happens when light interacts with dark materials, inviting you to discover the hidden wonders within each piece.
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