Saskia Smith lives at beautiful Pelorus Bridge, nestled between Nelson and Blenheim – and her work reflects both where she lives and her multi-faceted cultural heritage.
Born in the Netherlands, in 2001 she first took up oil painting as a hobby, intending it to be a creative outlet to compliment her existing musical talents and sensory learning.
Not surprisingly, her colourful, vibrant paintings, full of richness and life, soon began to capture attention and drawing a positive response from those who saw them.
Before long what began as a creative experiment became part of her identity, and her distinctive paintings have since made their way into homes around the world.
Her preferred medium is oil on canvas, using both a brush and a palette knife to create her unique works, with recurring themes including landscape and interpretations of flowers.
Bright colours and depth characterise her impressionistic work and the comment has been made that her paintings manage to capture a happy feeling, reflecting her love of life, travel and music.
It is her hope that her works on canvas will continue to delight and encourage all who see them, including people she may never meet, for many years to come. They are her message, and they are full of sunshine, hope and happiness.