PhotoMainLou Ann is a Canadian who has been living in South Africa for the past 28 years. In Canada, she was the owner and curator of Manna Fine Art Gallery located north of the city of Toronto. In South Africa, she was teaching Art to disadvantaged children for 12 years at Riversands Primary School through a Charitable Organization called Hands of Joy. Over a decade ago, Lou Ann and her friend, Tessa Anderson created and designed a series of “Beaded Foil Etchings” that were exhibited and sold in South Africa and Internationally. It is during this time, she began to explore the awesome experience of learning to draw and paint in oils… Together with her husband Graham and son Jonah, she is an avid traveller, hiker and photographer – formerly a member of the Johannesburg Photographic Society. From the very beginning of her time in South Africa, she was fascinated by the beauty and diversity of the South African landscape and wildlife –which are often the inspiration for her paintings.

As a committed Christian, she is also intrigued by the inner landscape and enjoys the challenge of interpreting inspirational writings and visions onto canvas as well. Artists like Chagall, Picasso, Monet, Georgia O’keefe and Henry Moore have all inspired Lou Ann, as have many contemporary visual artists and photographers like Alan Donaldson, Horst Klemm, Freeman Patterson and Hendrik Potgieter. She has a General Arts Degree from the University of Toronto and has studied Weaving, Interior Decorating, Sign Language and Art Therapy which have all been instrumental on her journey.
For over 17 years, she was privileged to study with Carolyn Morrisson at her Johannesburg studio and is forever grateful for her tuition and encouragement… Currently, Lou Ann is enjoying the privilege of studying with Internationally known Fine Artist, Johan Conradie in Pretoria. Her work has been exhibited in studio and group shows… More recently, she has been fascinated with the process of watercolour which she is learning under the inspiration and instruction of talented artist, Bronwen Schalkwyk at Art Box Gallery in Monument Park. Much to her delight, Lou Ann is exploring and pushing the ever expanding boundaries of abstract art in this fluid medium, in anticipation of her upcoming exhibition at Art Box Gallery later this year.