Featured Artists

Nellien Brewer

Why do you create art?
I have always loved art, and I cannot imagine not being able to draw or paint. As a child, I remember being fascinated by the Tinus de Jongh (South African artist) paintings in our lounge. I could not understand how he had created such depth on a two-dimensional surface and would touch the painting to see if it was really flat. Later, in our art class at school, the sight of large sheets of white paper made me feel excited and scared at the same time. I couldn't wait to start drawing, but I was terrified that I would not be able to do justice to the beautiful surface. I wanted to study art after school, but my art teacher recommended rather that I choose something that would make more money. In retrospect, I think she was right. I became a landscape architect, and the profession gave me a deeper understanding of nature and appreciation for the world around us. This continues to inform my artmaking today. I always preferred the design and drawing to the site work, however! I finally studied Visual Arts in my forties, and I am grateful that, as a married woman, I can do the type of art I'd like to do, without having the pressure of having to sell art to live.

What motivates you to start a project?
I continue to be fascinated by nature. Beautiful shells, nests, birds, flowers, and interesting people always make me want to grab a brush or pencil. At the same time, my background in contemporary art has taught me to look for content that has a deeper meaning. South African politics and the destruction of so many precious things in our country; the rejection of God in a post-Christian world — are all issues that inform my work. Romans 1:20–25 is a perfect summary of my inspiration.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.

Therefore, God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

—Romans 1:19-25 (NASV)

What are you working on currently?
Since 2009, I have been working on a series of works that each contain a full book, or portion of, the Bible. I am hoping to eventually do works for the entire Bible. My current series is called 'Flotsam and Jetsam'. It is based on the bits and pieces that wash up along the shoreline. These fragments are all exquisite and unique, and yet they are 'discarded' by the ocean. This reminded me of all the people who are discarded by society - aborted babies, abused children, neglected grandparents, people sold in human trafficking, or abused by unscrupulous politicians... Yet each of these precious people has been uniquely created in the image of God.

What is your goal as an artist?
When I started studying art, my goal was to try and become so excellent at my technique that I would be able to sell a lot of work. Once I started working with Scripture, however, I became very aware that this is God's Word, and it is not about me at all. I trust the Lord to open the right doors and to guide me in whatever I do, in order that His Name be glorified. In the words of the Casting Crowns’ song 'Only Jesus: "I got lost in the light when it was up to me to make a name the world remembers, but Jesus is the only name to remember."

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