A Self Portrait Johan Marais

Johan grew up in Kimberley where he developed a strong interest in Art. He took his first art lesson at the Diamantveld High School. After matriculating he studied art extramurally, and also completed his studies for a B.Com degree at the University of South Africa, and later completed a program in Strategic Management at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.

Although having a full time career Art played a major role and he had several Art Exhibitions during his career. He also attended art classes by some of South Africa’s top Artists.

Johan retired in 2005 whereupon Art became his fulltime career. Johan currently work in oil but does not limit himself to one medium. He uses many other Medias, acrylic, water colour, pastels and pen and pencil sketches.

He presently focuses on still life studies and landscapes. His preference is to use bright, fresh colours in his work which gives an Impressionistic feel. His work has been featured in several magazines, art books and newspaper articles.

He has also exhibited in Austria, Australia and twice in Paris His works is included in many private and corporate collections in South Africa and abroad.

During 2016 Johan celebrated his 70th Art Exhibition, 18 solo and 52 group exhibitions. His first solo exhibition was held at the Cuyler Street Gallery in Port Elizabeth during October 1995. Johan travelled to Namibia, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Mauritius, Australia and Russia where he spend some time observing the beautiful surroundings and landscapes. He took several photographs to paint at his home studio.

Johan currently gives art lessons from his home studio in Pretoria.

Johan is constantly experimenting with different ideas and techniques and he feels that he is still learning something every day.

Career development

  • He took his first art lesson at the Diamantveld High School by Leslie Reinhardt.
  • Johan was determined to refine his work and attended classes presented by Christopher Haw during 1987, an accomplished artist from Natal, concentrating on landscapes, working in water colours.
  • He has also trained, using oils under the tuition of Rina Badenhorst during1994, a well-known artist from Port Elizabeth.
  • Johan attended art classes during 1996 presented by Vivian van der Merwe of the Central Art School in Port Elizabeth, mainly focused on still lives and figure studies.
  • Johan also attended Master Classes at the Association of Arts in Pretoria as presented by Andre Naude during 2003.
  • Johan is a member of The South African Association of the Visual arts, Pretoria.
  • During 2004 and 2005 Johan’s work was selected for the Alette Wessels Kunskamer Annual Art Initiative.
  • His works were also selected by Alice Art Gallery “Fresh Talent 2006”.
  • Johan was selected by The South African Association for the Visual Arts to occupy an apartment in the Cite International Des Arts Complex in Paris for four months during 2006. During his stay in the Cite, Paris (September – December 2006) he focused mainly on landscapes, in particular the Parks, Public Gardens and Forests in and around Paris, as well as on the Cote d’ Azur. Johan also exhibited works done during his stay, in Paris during December 2006.
  • Thereafter Johan’s work “Grief, Sorrow but Hope” was selected to be exhibited at the Salon d’ Automne in Paris during November 2007.

Awards

  • During Johan’s High School years he received several awards in specific age groups. Some of his sketches and paintings were Exhibited at the William Humphrey Art Museum in Kimberley.
  • During 2004 Johan’s Painting “Freedom, Communication, Unity and Vision” Oil on Canvas 120x100cm was one of the finalists for the Johannesburg Art City Competition.
  • During 2013 Johan’s painting “Jill’s Straw Hat” was awarded an Honourable Mention for his participation in the fourth art contest Artavita, Canada, a online gallery for artists.
  • In 2014 Johan received an award for his painting “Strelitzias KwaZulu Natal” for participating in the fifth art contest Artavita.
  • During the 2016 Hermanus FynArts Festival Johan’s painting “Terrior” was one of the finalists in the Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Art Award Exhibition.
  • During the 2017 Hermanus FynArts Festival Johan’s painting “Reflections” was one of the finalists in the Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Art Award Exhibition.
  • During the 2018 Hermanus FynArts Festival Johan’s painting “Vintage” was one of the finalists in the Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Art Award Exhibition.
  • Finalist in the 2019/2020 Cover Competition for The South African Artist Magazine

Commissions

  • One of Johan’s paintings was commissioned to appear in one of the 2007 Parmalat advertisements.
  • He has also been commissioned to paint twenty two paintings for a Guesthouse in Pretoria.
  • Absa Bank commissioned Johan to paint thirteen landscapes for their top achievers during 2002.
  • Several fundraising events in South Africa since 2005.
  • Fundraising event for the Good Shepherd Lutheran College, Darwin Australia 2012.
  • During the 100 years commemoration of the Woman’s Memorial Monument in Bloemfontein in 2013, South African Artists were asked to create artworks for the museum. Johan’s painting “Horrifying viewing” was amongst the submissions to celebrate the anniversary.
Johan Marais

Self protrait - oil on canvas