About Sonette vd Merwe
Sonette vd Merwe is a South African visual artist whose creative curiosity knows no bounds. Working across oil, acrylic, charcoal, pastels, watercolors, graphite, coloured pencil, alcohol markers—even Jik & Ink—Sonette’s work is deeply intuitive and emotionally driven. For her, art is never just a product of planning; it’s a conversation between instinct and inspiration. She draws from personal experience, colour, mood, books, films, and the quiet moments in between.
Oil paint remains her most faithful medium—an extension of her hand. But her love for bold contrasts, vibrancy, and experimental techniques keeps her returning to mediums like charcoal, alcohol markers, and Jik & Ink. Each tool adds a different voice to her visual language, allowing her to explore subjects ranging from landscapes and florals to portraits and city scenes. Her style is intentionally eclectic—a reflection of shifting moods and passions that keeps her work honest and alive.
Over the past 11 years, Sonette has grown her art career within the Johannesburg community. Since 2014, she’s been sharing her love for the process through workshops, and since 2017, she has been teaching fine art at Art Alive Art School. Her classes are less about replication and more about discovery—encouraging young artists to find their voice and helping adults reconnect with their creativity after years away from the canvas. Her teaching style is as open and adaptable as her own practice, welcoming each student’s unique approach and artistic curiosity.
Sonette’s work has found homes across South Africa and internationally, including Dubai. Her pieces are showcased at the Art Alive Annual Exhibition every July, where they are available for purchase.
She is not currently accepting commissions—but she continues to share her world through Messy Masterpieces workshops, a growing platform of paint events, collaborations, and creative experiences designed to help others tap into their inner artist in a vibrant, judgement-free space.