In October 2023, I was invited to join a group of friends to hike the 5-day Whale Trail, which took us across the Potberg Mountains and down along the rugged and whale-populated coastline of the De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape.

It was an extraordinary adventure, and I filled an entire sketchbook with my daily sketches and watercolour paintings. Back in my studio, I continued to remain inspired and the result was a collection of oils on textured gesso’d paper of some of the remarkable and unspoilt scenery that we witnessed firsthand.

As a Christ-follower, I believe we are made in the image of God and hardwired for wonder. However, living in this world, it’s easy to become disenchanted, cynical and overwhelmed by the brokenness all around us.

Nature has a way of interrupting us and reminding us and revealing to us what is good and true and worthy of our attention. 

When I spend time in creation, I feel as if my soul is restored and renewed and I am reminded to look at the world through the lens of awe and wonder. And it’s that wonder that interrupts us and counsels us back to a sense of mystery and the beauty of a remarkable and creative God, who is deeply and passionately interested in His creation.