Samuel Pretorius

Thriftstore in Anza, Original Painting

2023

Artist Comments
Artist Samuel Pretorius illustrates a modest thrift shop in an old rural town in California. Standing amidst the rugged beauty of Anza, he finds himself captivated by the charming surroundings. The midday sun casts a bright light on the picturesque landscape, inspiring Samuel to preserve the scene's beauty for all to admire. He captures the blue tones of the sky and the architecture, creating a compelling contrast against the sandy terrain.

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: Anza, store, shop, rural, town, architecture, facade, midday, noon, shadow, text, impressionism, acrylicpaint, travel Americana, California, architecture, impressionism, travel, acrylic painting, blue

Thriftstore in Anza
Samuel Pretorius
Acrylic painting on stretched canvas
Finished white edges
Ready to hang
One-of-a-kind
Signed on front and back
2023
16 in. h x 20 in. w x 1.5 in. d
1 lbs. 8 oz.