About

My name is Corinne Erasmus, and I'm a full-time artist based just outside Cape Town. The Happy Struggling Artist is a celebration of South Africa's incredibly diverse wildlife, specialising in unique art, gifts and collectables that encapsulate the unique spirit that this amazing country is known and loved for.

I'm passionate about my loved ones, my country, nature, equality and working with "heart's blood"*. I love camping, knitting, gardening and reading, and I'm horrible at taking selfies!

Apart from just really enjoying creating beautiful things that bring people joy, the driving force behind my work - my WHY - is my passion for using my talent to give back to my community and paying homage to Mother Nature. Aside from growing a culture of giving back in my own business, I also work part-time for an NPO called The One Percent Movement.

Although I completed a degree in Graphic Design, it took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life... Looking back at my journey, I'm so glad that I found the right thing (or that it found me!).

The name, The Happy Struggling Artist, is a genuine representation of my work and life as a whole. A combination of everything, not just the good stuff. It is an ongoing roller-coaster ride with ups and downs, dazzling, fun, sunshine and dark, scary tunnels…

*While wrapping a painting for a new client, she explained that they have an expression in her home country of Germany that applies to me: Working with “heart’s blood”, or showing genuine dedication and care in your work. It was the nicest compliment I’ve ever received from a stranger and has since inspired me to keep putting 120% into my work!

EXHIBITIONS & PROFESSIONAL ACCOLADES:

• Finalist - African Wildlife Artist of the Year international juried competition, Fine Art Gallery, Namibia, 2025
• Highly Commended - Watermedia International online competition, Watercolor Art Southern Africa, 2025
• Art Canvas Factory Award - "A splash of red" online competition, Watercolor Art Southern Africa, 2024
• 2nd Place - "Our Colorful World" international online competition, Watercolor Art Southern Africa, 2023
• "Impression/Expression" Exhibition - The Gallery, Ballito, 2023
• "Beautiful Things Exhibition" - Graskop Gorge Lift Co., Graskop, 2022
• Honourable Mention – "Expressions of Hope" international online exhibition & competition, Watercolor Art Southern Africa, 2021
• Shortlisted Finalist - Innibos Craft Awards, 2021
• "Summer Colours" Group Exhibition – Bright Street Gallery, Somerset West, South Africa, 2021
• "Tides of Talent" Group Exhibition - Fine Art Gallery, Swakopmund, Namibia, 2020
• "Call of the Wild" Group Exhibition - Bright Street Gallery, Somerset West, South Africa, 2019
• "African Colours" Group Exhibition - Bright Street Gallery, Somerset West, South Africa, 2018
• "Wildlife in Watercolour & Pen" Solo Exhibition - William Humphrey's National Art Gallery, Kimberley, South Africa, 2016