Ron Fourie Artist - From the Horses Mouth

Ron Fourie

Gaborone, Botswana

Mediums: oils on canvas

Style: Equine and Wildlife Art

Favorite Quote: "If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.- Vincent van Gogh"

Favorite Book: The Bible

Favorite Movies: Hidalgo, Secretariat, Seabiscuit, War Horse

 

  

 

As far as horses and Ron Fourie are concerned, you'd actually think he belongs in a stable. It is impossible to believe that he traded riding boots for paint brushes and he's never regretted it, after all he sees them everyday, on canvas.

Please tell us about your first experience creating:

The first time I ever painted I was 16. Just the smell of wet paint was enough to get me hooked.

 

What music do you like to have playing while creating art?

I love listening to rave and sometimes I switch to contemporary Christian rock. It always to get my creative juices flowing.

 

 

If you have a job besides being an artist, can you tell us about it?

I have just left my work as a rider and trainer to focus on painting fulltime.

 

What are you trying to convey to viewers through your art?

I love animals and I aim to use my work as a way to raise conservation awareness. Without the rhinos, tigers, elephants etc. there would be no inspiration for us artists to paint about. We have a responsibility to the next generation, they too want to see the beauty that surround us today.

 

Tell us about your creative process, from the beginning of a typical piece to its completion:

Well, proportion is important to me. So with every work that I do, I first lay out scale over the canvas and the intended subject (usually a picture). So I paint the subject block by block till completion. This usually takes me 4 hours. Afterwards I work on details.

 

 

What things inspire you to create art?

I love life and life itself is full of inspiration. One only needs to stop, listen, look and laugh. A child's laughter (or cry); a foal making its first steps; love etc.

 

What exhibitions have you had?

2012: June-My first exhibition in June at a private school.
2012: Dec- invited to exhibit at the Thapong Artist of the Year in Gaborone, Botswana.

 

Have you sold any of your artworks?

I have done over 40 pieces and over 30 have been sold in 3 years. I sell via my Facebook page and also via various Facebook groups.

 

How do you promote your art on the internet?

Via Facebook. I have recently developed a website (see above) and I have had several hits for which I'm very grateful.

 

Tell us about influences.

God, He is my number 1 influence, and my wife, Charmaine

 

 

Please recommend another artist you admire.

I admire Paul Apps, he is from England and he is one of the best wildlife artists of the decade. I hope to follow his example but also carve my own identity in the art scenes.

 

Tell us something interesting in your life

I used to work at a trail horse lodge and on my 1st outride as a tour guide I got lost. We found our way back 2 hours later!

 

If you could live your life over again, would there be anything you would do differently?

No, I love the journey I had to walk, I'm a stronger and wiser person now.

 

What plans do you have for the future of your art?

Have my own studio, teach others art and teach youngsters that there's nothing wrong with art as a careerart as a career.

 

Do you have any good advice for emerging artists?

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.- Vincent van Gogh"

 

Ron Fourie

Gaborone, Botswana

Website: Ron Fourie Fine Artist | Twitter | Facebook