"Well-intentioned, colorful mess."
Illustrator. Artist. Dreamer.
Illustrator. Artist. Dreamer.
Forging my own path.
Hey there! My name is Aimee and I get to draw pictures for a living.
I have always had my head in the clouds, taking photos wherever I go, mesmerized by the colours, places and faces around me.
Art class in High school was the first instance of me getting to experiment and express how I feel and what I see, creatively, and so I went on to study Multimedia Design at the University of Johannesburg. This course exposed me to so many creative fields where art and technology merge and I majored in Film and Video Design and minored in Photography and Design.
After graduating I started freelancing in the above fields and also took up a Drawing Course through CANVAS Academy where I would meet my mentor and one of the best people to exist in my universe - Tumelo Selamolela. Through his guidance my art and knowledge has grown exponentially, helping me be a better artist. And after some time I could pass on this knowledge by becoming a digital art mentor to other young artists at CANVAS.
I've been teaching and working as the Chief Brand Officer for CANVAS and running my freelance art business, Up In The Ayres since 2015!
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In 2021 I had the privilege of exploring a new role as Art Director for CANVAS Academy's project in collaboration with the NFVF; called 'Animated Data Stories'. I learned invaluable new skills and got to work with amazing teams of creatives and hope to do it again in 2022.
My business has also been finding its feet since the pandemic hit. I thought for sure my small niche corner of the art world would be hit hard, but it turns out in times of crisis people still turn to art and sentimentality.
I love being able to make unique and meaningful pieces to support people through all stages of life, the tough times, the celebrations and everything in between.
