“Charmingly Curious and Thoughtfully Playful” - it is with exceptional joy that we introduce you to one of the most talented artists and loveliest human beings that we have had the pleasure of working with - Please meet our friend Chantale Rissik.

"Plagued with self-doubt & a fear-of-failure for as long as I can remember, I became an expert at concealing any parts of myself that might be exposed to judgement or criticism. Being a mother gave me the necessary distraction from facing my flaws & was the perfect playground to skirt around my insecurities. I hid behind the game called “busyness”, allowing guilt & indecisiveness to press a very definite “pause” on my personal growth as a woman. 

Sprinkled somewhere inside the rollercoaster ride of early motherhood, I was still able to sneak in moments to pursue my passion: “painting the beautiful things I noticed all around me”. This private joy soon gave way to profound anxiety if anyone asked to see my artwork. I would hide my canvasses, turning them to face the wall so they couldn’t be judged & rejected. 

Fast forward two decades (& many paintings later), my children had grown up beautifully, but yet I had still not outgrown my fears. It was then that I realised this fear-of-failure was going to stifle me, & I had no more excuses left. I simply had to find ways to grow again. 

The first thing I did was join @trail_angels @trailangels.co.za Trail Angels & start mountain biking. This extreme sport is by far the most physically challenging thing I have ever done, but even after a few falls I am loving the liberty of being on the mountain defying the fear of gravity! 

The next thing I did was join the @strongeststory @LivingYourStrongestStory Strongest Story course to find direction & start pinpointing my “purpose”. This was the most mentally challenging thing I have done, but as my mind has been stretched & my strengths sharpened, I have come full circle back to the very thing I am most passionate about – my painting.

I have always loved painting the vibrancy, colour & movement I see in the children of our South African communities. The use of bright coloured paint, uplifting strokes & layered textures has evoked such positive emotions in me as the artist. But what I am now understanding is that my art is about something much bigger than me. This gift of creativity I discovered within myself is a way of evoking happiness & gratitude in those who witness my work. I get to transport these little people & their precious personalities to others via canvas – to open up the viewers world to empathy & the wonder of humanity in all of its joyful complexity. 

I still break out in a sweat when I show my art & am exposed to possible criticism, but with Debs & JacQs’ encouragement I am working at setting my insecurities aside. I am no longer where I was a few years ago. I am growing braver, I am finding my confidence, and I am able to breathe again. I am enjoying this 'sometimes scary' but ‘certainly stronger’ chapter in the colourful story that is my life."