Marsi van de Heuvel

This past week I was lucky enough to interview the immensely talented Marsi van de Heuvel. This Capetonian is such a cool kid but has a very elusive internet persona so I knew I had to ask her some questions and find out more.



When did you start painting and why?

I have been painting for as long as I can remember. My mother is an art teacher so I've had access to art materials since I was little. Then I painted for fun, but as the years passed, I began to feel like I had to paint. I have many interests, but art has always been this constant that I have remained loyal to because it is a platform to explore anything.

What influences your paintings?

I am influenced by everything; aspects of people or the environment that repel and attract me, all have an influences on who I am and what I do. At the moment I am painting black ink landscapes. They are like portholes; intended to briefly project the self to a quiet natural space and be wild for a moment. I feel like I'm on an adventure when I paint them. They are lonely landscapes. I never paint animals or people in them. I sculpt as well, usually endangered animals, but what isn't endangered these days.

Where do you normally paint? Outside, coffee shops etc.

I have a studio in Cape Town that I sometimes paint in, I mostly sculpt there, it's messy. I also paint at home on the dining room table, on the lounge table, in bed, on the couch, at my boyfriends place, at a friend's house. I don't like working in public spaces like coffee shops, it makes me feel uncomfortable.





If you're ever in a creative rut do you have any rituals or silly things you do to help you get out of it?

In creative ruts I switch mediums, like oil painting to water color or sculpture or fine liner, I have even tried field recordings. Or I visit the library and start doing research on something else that interests me. If that doesn't work, I exercise or sleep a lot until it passes.


What is your favourite thing about being a South African or South Africa in general?

My favorite thing about South Africa? Hard to choose between fynbos, Diemersfontein Pinotage, and Deluxe coffee.




What one place do you want to visit in your lifetime?

I would love to go to Norway to see the Northern lights.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Nick Cave - White Lunar, on repeat.

The artist herself:



Thanks so much Marsi for taking the time to answer my questions, they were all so insightful and the tips to get out of a rut will definitely be put to use!

I'm so excited that it's Friday tomorrow, I've got a friends birthday party this weekend and the theme is cross-dressing (eep!) so I'll definitely let you lovelies know how that all plays out.