Lettie Strachan

Lettie was born in Eldoret, Kenya and spent her childhood on a farm in the Highlands where she also attended boarding school. Colour always fascinated her and especially the exotic African landscapes and the beautiful flowers found there. Her high school years were spent in Belfast, South Africa and subsequently she trained as a teacher at Johannesburg College of education. She loved teaching art to children and exploring her creative side. After her marriage to George she settled in the beautiful Elgin Valley in the Western Cape of South Africa. They had 4 children and during this busy time Lettie started several nursery schools in the area and also taught art to children. Influences She joined the Elgin art group and has been painting with them for almost 30 years. During this time she participated in the yearly exhibitions, called the Elgin Rose Show. Lettie with several other artists attended St. Luke?s Art School in Onrus, owned by Tersia Knaap and Maxie Steytler. Here they had 10 wonderful years of teaching by Tersia. Tersia helped to stretch each person to try different and various ways of painting and it was here where she was truly inspired and encouraged to grow as an artist. It was here that her love for bold colour began. She now paints in watercolour, acrylic, oil, mixed media and pastel. Motivation She belongs to the South African Society of artists and has taken part in their annual exhibition, the latest being in November 2004. Lettie also belongs to the Western Cape Water Colour Society and has taken part in their annual exhibitions. At the 2004 exhibition she received a ?Highly Commended? for her painting ?African Bushveld?. She belongs to ?Original Connections? with to 4 other artists. They paint cards of South African scenes and sell them at various art galleries and hotels. Lettie loves painting and is surrounded by the most incredible scenery in the Cape. She has a passion for colour and is exploring this further. As she feels one never stops growing and must push onwards to explore all the methods and techniques she also realizes that one must be true to ones self. She finds nothing more exciting and fascinating than painting the awesome nature made by her Lord and Creator.