“Currently, I am trying to loosen up my style and paint on a larger scale, with lots of experimentation and fun. Luckily an artist never retires and we can create until the very end,” says the 64-year-old Lyn Hoyle, well-known artist from Clarens.
The talented Hoyle has loved drawing and painting all her life. Even at a very young age, she knew that art is an extension of herself.
“It is a wondrous world, so peaceful and all-absorbing.”
Since Hoyle’s move to Clarens in 1987, she has been a full-time artist. Her first love is drawing but she enjoys painting in oils and mixed media on canvas or paper. She loved pottery and sculpting while studying, but never pursued these art forms further.
“I prefer oil painting because it is more malleable and because I paint very slowly. Acrylics I use as a base for the oils to do big blocks of colour, but it dries too fast. Oils also hold their colour and you can mess around more, creating textures and effects.”
Her artwork is mostly symbolic, fragmented landscapes or flowers and she loves experimenting using unusual materials like chemicals and patinas in her artwork.
“Inspiration is always around. As an artist you are observing and collecting ideas 24/7.”
She prefers painting in the mornings; in silence or with podcasts, audible books, or music. From soft piano to heavy metal and everything in between, it all depends on her mood. Hoyle’s artwork is exhibited at the gallery in Clarens and at art exhibitions throughout the country.
Hoyle was born and bred in East London in the Eastern Cape, and attended the Sacred Heart College. After she matriculated, she studied at the University of Cape Town (UCT) toward a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, although she wanted to study art.
Six months later, Hoyle realised she wanted to follow her passion and continued her studies in art at the East London Technicon under Jack Lugg, where she excelled.
She is the organiser of the annual Clarens Art Festival that was established due to the demographics of tourists visiting Clarens that changed from the lovers of art and fine living, to adventure and party seekers.
“We want to bring the art lovers back for the betterment of the village in its entirety.”
The arts festival originated in 2022 and covers different art forms such as theatre, dance, literature, art, music, and food. “We would like to see Clarens as the art centre of the Free State and want to introduce our talented children to the possibilities of getting involved in a creative career. The motto is “By Clarens, For Clarens”.
So far, 105 talented youngsters have been identified for next year’s festival that will be held from 16 to 18 May. Hoyle endeavours to not only take her own artwork to the next level, but does everything in her power to cultivate the love of art in others.
