Born in the 70s in a small town near South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Lorna grew up in White River, enveloped by the vibrant bushveld and its wildlife. Raised in a family of budding wildlife photographers, she developed an early passion for art, experimenting with acrylics and oils during high school, focusing on portraits, botanicals, and cultural scenes. Life’s path shifted her focus to general employment and her growing family until 2016, when she moved to a coastal town in KwaZulu-Natal. There, a local artist’s watercolor seascapes revealed the magic of negative space—the untouched white paper that brings watercolor paintings to life. Captivated, Lorna taught herself watercolor, starting with a tutorial of simple white daisies against a green background filled with layers of interesting details and falling in love with its unpredictable, layered beauty.

Entirely self-taught, Lorna created 100 paintings in about six months, auctioning most online to fund professional supplies. Her distinctive style—vibrant subjects against bright white backgrounds, evoking South Africa’s sunlit landscapes—unexpectedly gained attention. Drawing from wildlife photos bathed in bright sunlight, her work captures the essence of the bushveld and beyond. Within nine months, galleries approached, and commissions followed. After a hiatus during Covid’s lockdowns, Lorna resumed painting in 2024, now settled in Fish Hoek, Cape Town.

Today, Lorna continues to refine her craft, driven by watercolor’s challenging, unforgiving nature. Her timeless paintings, celebrated for their luminous quality, bring South Africa’s beauty into homes worldwide through originals and prints. With an unwavering passion for learning, Lorna invites others to experience the magic of her art, inspired by the wild unpredictability of watercolor and the landscapes that shaped her journey.