EL artist named finalist for national prize

An East London fine artist has made it into the semifinals of the inaugural Art Masters Challenge.

Chintsa East resident Jennefer Gordon Grant, who describes herself as a wildlife, landscape and portrait artist, is in the running with nine other artists from across the country for the top award.

Run by the Online Art gallery, the challenge is social media-based and artists are advanced to the next round according to the number of “likes” they get on Facebook.

The Online Art gallery is a platform for artists, galleries and art collectors to discover South African art talent.

Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Grant, 54, said she had heard about the challenge through a friend who encouraged her to enter.

“So after visiting the website, I sent pictures of three of my artworks,” she said, adding that a painting titled Old Karoo Farmstead had been selected.

“It was painted from one of my photos taken in the Karoo National Park of one of the very old farm houses which no longer stands there as it was broken down recently.

“I love to walk around these desolate places and just imagine what it must have been like to be the farmer there years ago,” she said, adding she was concerned that fracking and greed could destroy the Karoo.

Round one of the competition ran from December 19 and ended on Saturday January 2. The semifinal round will run until January 17 when the winner is announced.

Grant, whose material is mostly inspired by nature and is self-taught, said she worked with different mediums but mostly favoured oil on canvas as it was “more forgiving”.

Neale Simpson of Online Art said there were cash prizes, vouchers, exhibition opportunities and online exposure packages up for grabs for the winners.

To view and like Grant’s painting visit Online Art’s Facebook page or website at www.onlineart.gallery. Her entry is listed under the name Jennefer Ann.