Anita Art Studio

27/03/2026

16/03/2026

Not my words, but it's so true:

Most adults didn't lose their creativity.
They just lost the courage to be bad at things.
Creativity doesn't disappear.
It slowly gets buried under habits we learn as adults.

Here are a few things that quietly kill creativity:

Waiting until you feel confident
Creativity grows from starting before you feel ready

Comparing your work too early
Comparison kills curiosity. Focus on exploration first

Trying to make everything perfect
Messy experiments are where interesting ideas start

Being afraid of wasting materials.
Paper can be replaced, but creativity cannot

Only making things you're already good at
Creative confidence grows when you try unfamiliar things

Turning creativity into a performance
Not everything you make needs to be shown. Some things are just for you.

Question:
How do you hide, suppress or deny your creativity to be not part of your life?

Thank you:
Saloniitheartist Instagram for sharing your wisdom

Image: Pinterest

15/03/2026

For Sale:
Available original painting: Colour of Memories.

It is a one-of-a-kind original artwork - ready to bring life to a special space in your home. Perfect for a living room, dining area, or creative space.

When I decided to take part in the annual art exhibition at the Art Association, I knew I needed to find something meaningful to paint. It had to be something that was truly my own.

One morning, while lying in bed, I looked across the room at my dressing table. On it stood a vase filled with Christmas roses or hydrangeas. As I looked at them, a memory surfaced. One of my grandmothers had Christmas roses growing by the back door of her kitchen. I remember how those pinkish, bluish, and purplish flowers grew abundantly. When you looked closer, you could see many small flowers forming each bloom. It captivated me. I was in awe. It became a childhood memory.

Even today, years later, I can still picture that large bush of flowers next to the steps at Ouma Lettie's house.

I decided then that I wanted to paint something that had meaning for me—something that could evoke emotion. Painting something that speaks to my heart and soul is the most fulfilling experience.

And that is the story behind this painting.

I named it “Colour of Memories.” I wanted to capture that gentle moment where colour, memory, and stillness meet.
I loved painting it and created it with great care and love. It is for sale for anyone who feels a connection to the story, the colours, and my expressive way of making art. 🎨

Painting information:
Original artwork by Anita van der Merwe
Acrylic paint on canvas with a hint of mixed media
Size: 50cm x 50cm
Unframed canvas

Message me for price and delivery.
WhatsApp me on 082 331 4703

Anita💜
Live. Love. Create.

"A Work of art is a world in itself, reflecting the senses and emotions of the creator." Hans Hofmann

13/03/2026

Thank YOU

When I opened my page this morning, a reminder popped up telling me to thank my followers for interacting with my page. At first, I thought, Are Facebook really telling me what to do now? A small hint of irritation crossed my mind. But then I realised that it is actually not a bad thing to be reminded of. Being reminded to say thank you is a very good thing.

It also reminded me of when I was a child, and my mother would say, “Sê dankie vir die tannie.” So I was raised with good manners. I learned to say thank you from a very young age, and I am very grateful for that. And even today, I realize the importance of gratitude. Not only to other people and what they do, give or say to me, but also for life and the beauty of nature and earthly prosperity that is provided to us in a spectrum of possibilities.

And this morning, Facebook reminded me of my followers. They are the people who look at and read the words and see the pictures I share. If it were not for them, it would have been a very lonely and empty space.

So before I become too philosophical, let me simply say thank you.

Thank you to:

🩷the growing number of followers

🩷the people who like everything I post

🩷those who interact with a thumbs-up or a heart

🩷those who give me feedback

🩷those who only check in now and then to see what Anita is up to

🩷those who read but do not interact

🩷those who share my words and thoughts with other like-minded people

🩷and those who sign up for my creative workshops

To all of these people — thank you.

Thank you for reading my stories, my philosophy, and my ideas about life and art. Thank you for looking at my art. Thank you for considering and attending my workshops. Thank you for being an audience and a witness. I truly appreciate every one of you, even if I do not know you personally.

Writing is one of my forms of expression. Words and colour create the same need within me to be expressed. That is what my creativity looks like — a combination of mind, heart, and soul.

I see this endeavor as a journey. Discovering art, creativity, and life, and people like you are joining me on this journey.

Thank you, once more.

Anita 💜
Live. Love. Create.

12/03/2026

Did you know that all of us are creators?

Not just those who practice traditional art forms, but every human being. Many people believe that if they do not paint, sculpt, or engage in conventional art-making, they are not artists. They think creativity is something extraordinary—beyond their reach—and reserved only for a select few born with special talents.

The truth is, creativity is not difficult to access. It is a fundamental aspect of being human—a birthright. Creativity is not just about making art; it is an action we engage in every day. To be creative is to bring something into existence that was not there before. This could be:

A conversation with your partner

A note to a friend

Setting a table for a special occasion

Arranging plants in your garden

Solving a problem

Rearranging the furniture in your house

Taking a new route home

What we create does not need to be witnessed, sold, recorded, or displayed in a frame to be considered a work of art. Simply by existing, we are already creators. We shape our reality and compose the world through the way we perceive it.

We exist in a material world, surrounded by information gathered through our senses. What we see, hear, and feel is interpreted, and in response, we act. Our interactions with the world become a form of creation. Whether we formally make art or not, we live as artists. We perceive, filter, and collect data. In response, we create experiences for ourselves and others, consciously or unconsciously.

By being alive, each of us participates in an ongoing process of creation. Living as an artist is a way of being in the world—a way of perceiving, a practice of paying attention. It involves tuning into the subtle notes of life through sensitivity and awareness. We notice what draws us in and what pushes us away. Our entire life becomes a form of self-expression.

You exist as a creative being in a creative universe. You are a singular work of art.

“The creative act: A way of being.” — Rick Rubin

Anita💜
Live. Love. Create.

04/03/2026

When Zorba thinks I’ve spent enough time on my art and it’s time for some fun, I love having a companion like him. Life needs balance, and fun is always at the top of his to-do list. 💜

04/03/2026

Art is not just producing art.... It is a way of living. A way of being. 💜

03/03/2026

The Reclaiming Yourself Invitation
Joining The Art of Becoming - A midlife Art Retreat: 14 March

Have you forgotten who you are beyond your roles?

Mother. Partner. Professional. Caregiver.
But who are you now?

This expressive art workshop is a space for women in midlife who feel the quiet whisper:
“There is more.”

Through colour, movement, texture and intuitive creation, we explore:
✨ Identity beyond expectations
✨ Self-expression without judgement
✨ Reconnecting with your authentic voice

No art experience needed. Just curiosity and courage.

It’s not about making “good art.”
It’s about coming home to yourself.

Anita💜
Live. Love. Create.

Retreat information:

Date: 14 March 2026
Time: 8:30 - 15:00
Venue: 218 Cornus street La Montagne, Pretoria East
Price: R1200-00pp (all refreshments, lunch, and art materials are included)
To book: WhatsApp me on 082 331 4703 for booking info.
ArtWorkshopPretoria

Photo: Instagram