Cape Town based self-taught Intuitive Abstract Expressionist, Carol Bourgonje, found her artist self again during the lockdown months we found ourselves in. Ironically the lockdown 'unlocked' the self-exploration journey that allowed her, during that solitude period to tap into years of expression that was compelled to be released.
Having a natural artistic flare as a young girl in Zimbabwe, Carol was always inspired by the arts, interiors, architecture and nature seen on her international travels world-wide while pursuing a career in fashion in Johannesburg for several years before starting her own business in the Interior Furniture industry. Vanilla House Interior's success continued for 24 years in which her creative flare shown in the layout of the showroom, designing of her own furniture and consulting on client's interiors. Carol continued her travels during this time and being influenced by the East inspired her to paint her own art for her interior shop over a period of four years.
Have a family then shifted her attention away from painting for many years until these recent months of confinement in 2020.
Within her business years Carol's spiritual journey has always been an integral part of her life. She was continually questioning and understanding the meaning of life which gave her the ability to tune into her inner self allowing her to express her truth on a canvas.
Inspired now by her Cape Town surroundings she unleashed this newly found self-expression which is currently unfolding into a journey that she feels 'has only just begun'.