Mari Brightmore

I was born in Vereeniging and am now resident in Centurion. I studied Fine Art at North West University, Potchefstroom. After I completed my studies, I started my career teaching senior Art at various High Schools and private colleges. In July 2019 I retired from teaching to find my own voice in art and let me art speak as I expand.

Having taught for many years using different media and techniques, I decided to explore Abstract Art and to move away from the traditional, visually pleasing styles. I have painted with various well-known artists from the USA and other countries to help guide me in a contemporary, but abstract style.

I do not attempt to represent any sort of visual reality in the traditional way, but instead I use colour, line, texture and other different tools to create the work. This generates a different visual experience. I paint to express my own unique voice.

My art is about eliciting an emotional response from the viewer. Sometimes it’s obvious, sometimes it’s obliterated or sometimes it’s somewhere in between. Each layer, each brushstroke is a step towards understanding that there is always something more.

I present workshops where I can indulge my passion for this art form in an environment where I am able to connect with the listener to offer my interpretations and understandings of this style and to expand what they might feel when engaging with my art. I belong to various art societies and regularly participated in gally exhibitions. My art sells locally and internationally.