Irma de Waal resides in the beautiful town of Wilderness, South Africa.  She is an acclaimed artist, known for her bold brush strokes or pallet knife impressionistic life scene paintings.

Welcome to my world of colour, memory, and imagination.

I am an artist based in the serene coastal town of Wilderness, on South Africa’s beautiful Garden Route. I studied Fine Arts at Stellenbosch University, where I earned my BA in Fine Arts and a teaching diploma in 1975, majoring in Painting and History of Art.

Through my work, I strive not to replicate reality, but rather to evoke a mood. I paint to express a feeling — a sense of remembrance, nostalgia, or quiet joy. I’m inspired by the vast, open South African landscapes, the silence of space, the forgotten charm of abandoned houses, distant fishing villages, and the textured stories hidden in old, weathered boats and trailers. These scenes speak of life once lived, of warmth and belonging, and I aim to capture that feeling. Even the most ordinary kitchen objects often find their way into my still life paintings.

My style is modern-abstract. I intentionally elongate form and distort perspective, creating slanted shapes and flat angles that defy traditional realism but still keep the subject recognizable. Fine lines run through my work- reminiscent of architectural sketches-giving each painting a sense of structure and personal signature.

Colour is key to my expression. I work in oils, applying bold brushstrokes and palette knife textures to create a mood and to express emotion— whether it’s quiet sadness, joyful remembrance, or simply the feeling of light and life. Bright colours often dominate, bringing an uplifting and vibrant energy to my work.

At its heart, my art is about connection — to place, to memory, and to the quiet beauty in both decay and renewal. My paintings are therefore an invitation to pause, to feel and to remember- with warmth, with wonder and with joy.

#art gallery wilderness #wilderness artist #art in the wilderness