The Imaginarium of Mrs. Smith has featured in many of our past cases! 

I have always been drawn to children’s books from a young age. The story, together with illustrations, are absolutely magical. Two artistic talents jammed into a book. Thus, I have started to do my own ‘children-style illustrations, but for adults. The response was amazing! I am still inspired by books and stories, and draw most of my characters and images from books. I read a lot and try to capture book magic for adults in watercolors and ink.

I also depend deeply on music in my studio. What I listen to depends on the piece I am working on. Music helps set the mood for a painting. I listen to classical, to indie folk, to grunge, to shock rock. I believe that art feeds art! And as music is an art form, it is most needed to create visual art too.

I also firmly believe in magic and magical places. I want my son to grow up and believe in magic too. I need to show him everyday that the worlds and adventures that play off in his mind, are real. He just needs to believe.

I use watercolor and ink markers to create my art as these two mediums capture my images the best. I am a self-taught artist who studied law after school and never finished. I was working in the law field until November 2016 when I realised that art is seen as a LUXURY item in SA and wanted to change that by providing original art pieces at reasonable prices for all income brackets. I permanently left the law industry and I started the Imaginarium of Ms. SMITH in my art studio at home. I have never looked back and absolutely love what I do. I am married with one (GORGEOUS) boy (Owen), two doggies (Olive and Avo), one snail (Sareltjie) and one fish (Moon).

Find Lizelle on Instagram @lizelle.smith