Artist Statement
My artwork is heavily influenced by my experiences traveling for pleasure and living abroad. I am originally from Belgium and moved to the United States with my parents when I was in elementary school. Both my parents grew up in various countries in Africa and lived in Rwanda for the last eight years. Their ties to the continent gave me the chance to travel to Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania for vacation and to volunteer at an orphanage. As a result, I have developed a passion for exploring different cultures and sharing what I have observed from my travels with others through my artwork.
Painting has also become a meditative and healing practice for me. I suffered a serious brain injury from a traumatic accident as a young child and still have to manage many health consequences from this incident to this day. Growing up with health complications and disorders caused by the accident was not easy. However, art, meditation and the practice of mindfulness, have helped me accept and tolerate the challenges that have arisen. I have had the opportunity to travel to Africa. On my travels I have been inspired by this unique African culture. I have used collaboration with African fabrics and using dried up banana leaves. On my bigger pieces I use acrylic paint as my medium.
You can also find me on my website http://www.mindfulafrica.weebly.com as well as my facebook page mindful Africa
