Portraits With Passion

Most of us can only dream of being tutored by the likes of David Leffel, Richard Schmidt and Nelson Shanks. Gauteng artist Martjie Carter spent 10 years in America where she gained invaluable artistic knowledge. We chatted to her about her career as a musician and artist.

- Martjie Carter

Have you had any formal art training?

I studied music, not art, and obtained my BMus degree in piano. In later years I studied art part time at UNISA but found that to be a contrived and negative experience. My most valuable art training was during the decade I lived in America. I studied for a time at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia under Nelson Shanks and did workshops under many of the world’s greatest portrait artists. Being apprenticed by some of these great masters in an atmosphere of encouragement, humility and true knowledge was the best thing that could ever happen to me.

Carl Jeppe is credited with instilling in you a love for good drawing – what can you tell us about your time as his student?

While I was a student at UP, I was referred to Carl Jeppe because we worked in a similar pencil technique. I went to him for private drawing classes and eventually also got involved in his figure drawing classes. I credit Carl, a great teacher and a master in the art of drawing, for my love of the medium of charcoal. He taught me so many of the possibilities this medium has. It ended up being one of my most favourite drawing mediums.

During your time in America you attended workshops with some of the best artists of our time: John Howard-Sandon, David Leffel, Richard Schmidt and Nelson Shanks. Tell us about them.

Most of these artist have painted the USA presidents at one time or another, as well as many other top dignitaries in the world. Nelson Shanks is well known for his painting of Pope John Paul II. On a visit to his home and studio, I saw a painting he did of Bill Clinton. I still remember the rosy, transparent quality of the skin tone in that portrait.