Welcome to our art gallery website, where creativity knows no bounds. We invite you to explore our curated world of visual wonders. Immerse yourself in art, discover stories, and let inspiration guide your journey.
Discover the Vision: Insights into the Artist's Journey and Inspiration
Originally hailing from Germany, Elke has called South Africa home for several decades, with her heart deeply entwined with the African bush. Her profound passion for wildlife, the untamed wilderness, and her qualifications as a Cordon Bleu Chef opened doors to unique opportunities. She managed a Safari Lodge in Mozambique and later took charge of two Safari Lodges in Malawi, where she also played a pivotal role in training twenty-two staff members, equipping them with culinary skills and certificates.
In 2009, her journey took a new turn as she bid farewell to lodge management. In 2010, she embarked on an exciting venture, establishing her own sanctuary, Baluleni Safari Lodge, nestled on the banks of the Olifants River within the sprawling 56,000-hectare Balule in the Greater Kruger National Park. Serendipity smiled upon her journey, for it was here that their paths crossed; He booked a weekend stay at her lodge, and within months, they exchanged vows.
In 2013, they expanded their horizons by acquiring a property downstream from their first venture. Baluleni Safari Lodge continued to flourish, primarily hosting international guests, and, over time, they welcomed visitors from an astounding 68 countries.
The year 2020 cast a shadow when the global pandemic shuttered airports, leaving them no choice but to bid adieu to the lodge they had lovingly nurtured. Divine providence smiled upon them, and within three months of the airports closing, they successfully sold the lodge. The new owners graciously retained the dedicated staff who had become like family.
Their journey then led them to a tranquil abode in a small nature reserve along the Olifants River, outside the confines of the Greater Kruger National Park. A year later, their nomadic spirits prompted the purchase of a caravan and camper, embarking on a 16 month adventure that traversed South Africa from its northernmost reaches to the southern tip, with a three-month sojourn in the Western Cape. But, as all travelers eventually do, they yearned for a place to call home.
First they moved to Hermanus in the Western Cape where they stayed for 11 months.
Guided by providence, they finally found their new haven on the Garden Route in the beautiful town of Mossel Bay, where they showcase Elke's artwork, in a beautiful renovated oldie.
Art has always coursed through Elke's veins, a love she inherited from her mother who fondly recalled her daughter's artistic prowess even before she could write. Her passion for animals finds expression in her mesmerizing oil paintings of wildlife. Previously, her artwork adorned the walls of their lodge and delighted guests.
As a member of the SA Society for Artists, Elke's talent flourished. Since February 2023, she has dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her craft. Now, everyone can revel in her artistic journey at Art by Elke in Mossel Bay, South Africa, where her versatile repertoire spans from wildlife to classic portraits, realistic renderings, abstract masterpieces, expressionism, arboreal wonders, captivating faces, sweeping landscapes, and an exploration of various techniques gleaned from across the globe.
In the heart of Mossel Bay, where waves caressed the shore and seagulls wove tales in the breeze, Evert and Elke found a new rhythm. Their love for the wild had not diminished; it had merely found a new form of expression. And as they stood hand in hand, watching the sunset over the ocean, they knew that their decision to embrace change had not just led them to a new destination, but to a richer, more colorful life.
