I was born on 27 November 1947 to elderly parents. My father, who felt more like a grandfather to me, filled my childhood with the most captivating stories. My half-siblings from my parents’ previous marriages were closer in age to my friends’ parents than to me, so I grew up much like an only child and quickly learned to entertain myself.

From an early age, I loved colouring and spent hours with my many colouring books. Before long, I began creating my own cardboard paper dolls, designing and making clothes for them, and weaving elaborate stories around their lives. This imaginative play sparked a lasting love for drawing, particularly of a biological nature. My passion for art showed itself at school, where I delighted in designing and decorating the covers of my exercise books — even my mathematics books did not escape embellishment.

I devoted fifty years of my life to teaching. Later, in my more mature years, I joined a social art group in Polokwane led by my colleague and friend, Elsabe Moolman. Under her guidance, I learned a great deal and developed a particular fondness for oil painting.

After my husband’s passing, I moved to Pretoria, where I had the good fortune of meeting Heather Krul. She introduced me to the Geelkunshuis, where — although I may not consider myself a typical artist — my love for art has continued to grow and flourish.