Samuel Pretorius

Fresh Morning with Strawberries, Original Painting

2024

Artist Comments
Fresh strawberries with a glass of sweet orange juice make a quaint breakfast scene. Textured strokes and raw application of paint exude freshness and spontaneity, bringing out the natural beauty of the fruits. The interplay of light and the summery palette adds a whimsical charm.

About the Artist
Artist Samuel Pretorius' paintings evoke a quiet nostalgia. Each brushstroke suggests a shape, a landscape, or a subject—letting the memory of the viewer fill in the details. He invariably works with photographs, creating representations of actual locations he documents, and enjoys making bold brush movements that capture the essence of his subject in the fewest marks possible. "My paintings are best described as 'suggestionistic.' I aim to create fleeting images that you long to see again, a place that you will never forget, or one you yearn to visit," says Samuel. Originally from South Africa, he comes from a family of artists who encouraged him early to paint and draw. In primary school, his work was included in a national exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum. While growing up, his art education came from exhibiting at local art galleries, participating in open markets and plein air painting events, and joining monthly exhibitions. Recently becoming a US citizen, Samuel decided to dedicate a portion of his study to his home studio to fulfill his passion for painting. This well-lit area, often supervised by his Siamese cat, allows him to paint any time of the day. Outside the creative industry, Samuel enjoys exploring the world's beauty and creating code as a software developer.

Words that describe this painting: strawberries, juice, finger painting, breakfast, fruit, table, chair, glass, plate, impressionism, still life, cuisine, acrylic painting, orange

Fresh Morning with Strawberries
Samuel Pretorius
Acrylic painting on stretched canvas
Finished white edges
Ready to hang
One-of-a-kind
Signed on front and back
2024
14 in. h x 14 in. w x .5 in. d
1 lbs. 0 oz.