That is the case for one visual artist, Florence Kebopetswe, who suddenly found the urge to reimagine things and began to engage in realistic art. Before the pandemic lockdowns, Kebopetswe had only done art in school. She had only engaged in sketching and pattern drawings. However, she says she eventually had to find something to do during the lockdown and suddenly found the push to engage in realistic art as a way of escaping loneliness. The 28-year-old from Molepolole stated that she found it therapeutic and fruitful while also using art to find her real purpose. Kebopetswe, who has a National Craft Certificate in Painting and Drawing from the Selebi-Phikwe Technical College, says she previously used to do patterns, which she learnt during her school days. “The lockdowns diverted my mindset into doing things that I had not done before. I ventured into art differently and started to do realistic paintings or drawings. It’s been three years now since I started during COVID-19. However, I have started to perfect the style since I started working with Wilson Ngoni as my mentor. "He is teaching me and helping me improve my way of painting, way of handling the brushes and understanding how paints relate or how they are combined. Wilson is way different from other artists, always thinking outside the box but without forgetting where they come from. He is an inspiration,” she said. Kebopetswe highlighted that although she is fascinated by realism art, she never imagined herself doing it because she associated it with a man’s style.
She explained that most of the time, girls were taught how to design, and things that relate to patterns that can be used to decorate houses. “But that space and time in isolation taught me to do things that are more difficult and that I didn’t know I could do,” he added. Kebopetswe credits her husband for her resilience and not quitting along the way. “My husband is the brain behind my paintings. He inspires and pushes me a lot,” she said. She explained that while most realistic artists focus on modern things as inspiration for their artworks, she focuses on culture. She said she uses culture to couch lives, especially the girl-child. She indicated that she is currently working on a project focusing on the girl-child titled, ‘Life of a Girl-Child’. She explained that the project is about teaching the girl-child about culture, which is very important in grooming a girl-child. “I want to inspire girls to know that they can go far with art, especially realistic art,” she added. Kebopetswe said while business is often fluctuating, she has sold a good number of artworks, which has motivated her to continue. There were times whereby I felt that I was doing nonsense but I kept fighting, With the support of her husband, she said she could not quit hence why she decided to look for a tutor. Kebopetswe has competed in the National Arts Festival where she got position three. His husband, Jonathan, said once he realised how passionate she was about art, he gave her all the support she needed.
He said he understands her wife’s work and affords her all the time she needs while he takes care of the homely duties. “I have realised that art is spiritual so whenever she is in her element, I give her the space to do her things,” he said. He pleaded for more support from the government saying art is life.
