Have you ever watched The Holiday starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz? You know – the film where two burnt-out blonde bombshells swap homes (and lives) for the festive season. It’s a firm festive favourite and super relatable, and this December something similar is happening in my life
SPOILER ALERT: I will be house-hopping to Hermanus and will be stepping into the shoes of fellow artist, Esté Mostert.
That’s right friends, you can come and say “hi” to me in this seaside town from 15 – 30 December, where I will be painting and acting as the custodian of Esté Mostert Gallery in the Art Ally on Harbour Road.

How did this come to be?
More than thirty years ago, a young Mariaan took up a weekend gig at the local framers, Abri Framers, in Bloemfontein where my father used to frame his paintings.
My career continued here after I completed my studies, where I worked under the artsy Esté.


Esté (left) and Mariaan (right) back in 1991, during the time that our paths crossed at Abri Framers.
Flashback to the 90s when big hair and painting techniques were the in-things. My art career just took off, Esté was expanding the business and was opening an art gallery in The City of Roses. In retrospect, it must have been during the hours we spent painting the gallery walls and floors (cue extravagant 90s fashion) in preparation for the grand opening that Esté became my mentor.
I always say that I have three female mentors in my life. Esté is one of them. She showed by example that a woman can be strong, can build her professional life while raising children, and that women are allowed to have ambition and dedication. She also taught me that anything is fixable if you are nifty enough. I admire Esté who, despite life’s hardships, is still the kind-hearted person I met years ago.
I worked at Abri’s for a while before I decided it was time to stay at home, raise my daughter and start building my own art brand. Three children (for both of us) and a lot of turmoil later, we are still friends (and artists) to this day.
Catching up
In the meanwhile, I traced my steps back to Bloemfontein, where this journey started. Esté took on new adventures and opened an art gallery in the beautiful Hermanus. It just so happened that over a phone call she mentioned that she was planning a visit to the Bloemfontein over Christmas. I don’t recall the whole conversation, but I was eager enough to swap places with her. So, now I am gallery-sitting and getting to live her life for a couple of days. And she gets to be my boss again, for a little while.

You’re invited
I hereby cordially invite all readers to pop in at Esté Mostert Gallery on the corner of the Art Ally in Harbour Road if you find yourself in Hermanus between 15 and 30 December 2022. Come say “hi”, and let’s catch up.


