About

 

I am an autistic person. I can’t change that or try to portray myself in a way that society requires. My autism isn’t a diagnosis, it is who I am. And I can never separate that from anything that I do or portray. By sharing my art and writing about my art, I must share and write about my autism as well, so that society can understand why I do things differently. And why I choose to be an artist.

I am what's known as a high functioning autistic. I can act and look normal. And I did, for 30 years. This cause immense anxiety and unhappiness.

Anxiety is disabling. It disabled me to the point where I couldn't work any longer. In 2021 I decided to pursue my lifelong dream to practice my art full-time.

With regards to my art, there are only two things that matter:

 

  1. What I experience
  2. What you experience.

 

  1. What I experience:

For me, painting and drawing is a way to quiet my very busy mind by putting it down on paper. It is also a form of stimming: behavior consisting of repetitive actions or movements of a type that may be displayed by autistic people; self-stimulation.

With art there are no rules. There is no right or wrong. Which is incredible for a Neurodiverse person who is struggling daily to interpret, understand and fit into a neurotypical society. With my art, I can be myself and do whatever I please.

My subject matter I choose to portray also ties in with the autistic’s ability to read and understand the world around them. I see people as very complex beings, but with beauty in each and every one.

  1. What you experience:

Art is an incredibly personal experience. I can’t prescribe to you what you must think and feel when you look at my art. We are two completely different beings! I can only hope that when you experience my art, that you also experience some of the emotions I feel and portray, of which the biggest is always love.

If my art speaks to you in any way, I’m incredibly grateful and excited that we can share in something beautiful.

Career Background:

I was born and raised in Potchefstroom where I studied Graphic Design and Communication.

I started my career at a Digital Marketing Agency which introduced me to the wine industry.

Since then, I’ve worked with many of South Africa’s top wine brands with the focus on Digital Marketing, Brand Identity and Design.

In 2021 I decided to pursue my lifelong dream to practice my art full-time.

I use mainly watercolour and ink on paper for my drawings but enjoy an oil or acrylic painting every now and again.  I start my drawings with a watercolour base and adds the ink details with fine tip pens by means of a hatch technique. 

My biggest inspiration when I started to develop my style was Conrad Botes and Vincent van Gogh. Both these artists use their medium to create a mass quantity of strokes, whether it be with a brush or pen. 

I’ve participated in various group exhibitions since 2005 and look forward to my first Solo Exhibition in 2022.

My work is currently on display at Stone Fish Gallery (Paternoster), Gerber & Co (Simondium), Yours & Mine (Paarl), Marze Botha Art Gallery (Stellenbosch).

If you would like any other information, feel free to contact me:

Email: nellie@veldfire.co.za

Cell: +27716415193

Website: www.nellieart.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nellievanderwaltart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nellieartstudio/

 

 

Career Background:

I was born and raised in Potchefstroom where I studied Graphic Design and Communication.

I started my career at a Digital Marketing Agency which introduced me to the wine industry.

Since then, I’ve worked with many of South Africa’s top wine brands with the focus on Digital Marketing, Brand Identity and Design.

Earlier this year I decided to pursue my lifelong dream to practice my art full-time.