A Breath Of Fresh Air

Jaco van Schalkwk was born in 1981 in Benoli, South Africa and received a degree in Historical Studies from the University of South Africa. He still resides in Africa as he feels it is paramount in creating authentic works of wildlife art.  Although his technique is predominantly “old master” style he also likes to sometimes work in slightly loose brush strokes. ...More...

Between farm life and experiences in the bushveld he developed a love and passion of painting animal life in their natural environment.  “I love to see wild animals roaming free in their natural habitat and hope to evoke a similar feeling from my fellow nature enthusiasts through my art.”

“Although I enjoy all animals I am particularly moved by the big game we have on our continent.  It is very intimidating to stand in the face of these awesome beasts and study their behavior.”  Travelling throughout the southern region of Africa with camera and sketch pad, Jaco is devoted to creating paintings that are full of mood, drama light and color and authenticating the true nuances seen in the African bush.  “I have been inspired by the likes of American painter Langford Monroe, Ray Harris Ching and the old masters Carl Ringus and Wilhelm Kuhnhert,” claims Jaco.  “Ringus was himself a big game hunter and it was the study of animal anatomy that made him so good at what he painted.”

Residency awards include the New York Art Students League, 2008, Kunst Raum: Sylt Quelle in Germany, 2014, Sylt residency in Myanmar, 2017, Künstlerhaus Meinersen residency in Germany,2017.

Jaco’s work is held in several prominent private collections including the South African Reserve Bank, ABSA Bank, the RMB Corporate Collection, the University of Pretoria, the University of Johannesburg, the Pretoria Art Museum and the Ellerman Collection.

Between 2004-2018, Jaco had exhibitions throughout South Africa, the United Kingdom, China, Beijing, Myanmar, Paris, Germany, and Switzerland....Less...