GEORGINA & BIANCA

founders & creatives

We met 13 years ago, back when Georgina had just moved from London, knew no one, and desperately needed a community. A nail appointment led her to Nicky, who invited her to a mums-and-tots group—and that’s where B & G first crossed paths. We survived the chaos of early motherhood side by side.

Fast-forward to 2020: Bianca was busy growing Binx & Twine, and Georgina had just launched Clay by Georgina. Our creative worlds finally collided! G was blown away by B’s magic with branding and socials, so she asked, “Want to collaborate on some ceramic-and-rope wall art?” Of course, B said yes—she always does.

That “yes” turned into a brilliant working rhythm, which led to another yes: creating the SA Art Fair to spotlight local talent in Hout Bay. And now, a year later, we’re saying yes again—this time to The Studio.

A warm, creative home where people can make, connect, and belong and you are invited to join this incredible journey.

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Susan Orpen

artist & teacher

Susan Orpen is a celebrated South African artist and inspiring art educator with over three decades of teaching experience. She has been painting, teaching and sharing her love of creativity since 1985, guiding students of all levels to explore their artistic voice and grow their confidence in a range of techniques and media.

Susan trained with a BA in English and History of Art and was deeply influenced by great watercolourists early in her career, which sparked a lasting passion for expressive mark-making and inventive colour use.

Her own work is diverse — from detailed wildlife and evocative landscapes to expressive portraits — always seeking a balance between suggestion and emotion rather than mere photographic likeness. Susan’s pieces can be found in private collections across South Africa, USA, Australia, Europe and the UK.

When she teaches, Susan’s focus is on helping students see deeply and express creatively — whether in watercolour, acrylic or mixed media — inviting everyone to push boundaries and discover their own artistic language.

Kerri Sassen

artist & teacher

Kerri Sassen is a self-taught, South African artist. She uses a variety of mediums and has recently ventured into larger abstract pieces.

Her work often draws from nature with its calming pinks and greens. Lately, since becoming a mother, there is a lot more colour and human-ness in her pieces. You might see faces with wrinkles, pictures with pencil marks remaining and even scribbles from a 2-year-old!

While also working as an Occupational Therapist, she draws on her love for people and our deep desire for meaningful connection. She lived many years with a constant tension: Art or OT and finally realised both can be. Her art is a processing, a celebration, a breaking-through and many times, a gift.

Visit Kerri's instagram here

ZARA-LEIGH FARINHA

artist & teacher

Zara is a Johannesburg born artist, living and working in Houtbay, Cape Town. Having grown up surrounded by artists, Zara has a strong love and understanding of art and believes it is deeply important.

She is currently in an intuitive process, painting what comes. Allowing her expression to be honest and free, trusting her raw creativity. Her current works are mostly abstract pieces, painted on large format canvas, using acrylic and/or oils.

Her creativity has led her to work as a fashion and decor stylist, as well as a makeup artist in the photographic and film industry, for over 10 years, allowing her to travel around South Africa, to London, New York and a few other countries.

Visit Zara's Instagram here

Donna Solovei

artist & teacher

Donna grew up in Johannesburg, however she completed school and her BA (Hons) Illustration degree in London at Camberwell College of Art. Today she lives in Cape Town with her partner and two daughters.

Donna’s artwork is a process of wandering, photographing, exploring and experimenting. Her art enlarges observations inspired by lived experience and her response to moments in time. She takes the viewer on a journey, bringing a feeling of dreaminess and nostalgia. Donna is passionate about colour – changing colour, moving colour, layering it and the spontaneity of creating it.

There is significance in creating by hand. Donna establishes her work by initially drawing and sketching which evolves into contemporary painting in various mediums including watercolour, gouache and acrylic. She also works with printmaking techniques, currently favouring monotypes for their unique, one-of-a-kind painterly feel. Over the last few years Donna has expanded into surface design with hand-painted wall mural collaborations and supplying artwork for international wallpaper houses.

Visit Donna's Instagram Here