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HettieSaaiman

Biography

Born in the Free State, South Africa, Hettie matriculated in 1972. She studied Art and Design (in Graphic Design) at the Pretoria Technikon Art School. Her first job was at the Bureau of Heraldry, where she designed family crests for the next three years. 

She then went back to Art College, this time at the ML Sultan College in Durban, where she achieved a Higher Diploma in Art and Design, specialising in illustration. Next, came a stint as an Art Lecturer at ML Sultan in the subjects of figure drawing, textile design, illustration and general painting.

At this point, Hettie started travelling. Whilst working at Creative Stationery as a designer, she was sent to England for more training. After a few years, she decided to exhibit overseas. She was accepted to show her work at the NEC in Birmingham, England, at the World Trade Show. Her bright, vibrant fish and floral works were well accepted and she had a great show. She exhibited at the next twenty-two shows in Birmingham.

George Madina of Intercontinental Greetings, New York, discovered Hettie's work and immediately became her agent. George copyrighted and sold Hettie's work all over the world - and it didn't stop there! The demand for her work grew and shows were held at many locations. She exhibited in Holland, Dubai, Singapore, Atlanta and France, and then made the decision to go and paint in Hawaii.

She was well accepted in Hawaii, and painted there for the next seven years. By the time she left, she was the second-biggest selling artist in Hawaii. 

Over time, her work has changed from acrylic ink on watercolour paper only to big acrylic-on-canvas paintings, painted with a pallette knife.

Hettie is now back in South Africa, and lives in Houtbay, Cape Town.