Biography

Ashley C Bothma
Born 10th April 1966 in Johannesburg, South Africa

My earliest memories involve pencils and paper and a natural urge to draw and doodle. I loved art at school and especially in high school. When I was 14 my family emigrated to America, to an area called New Mexico, where I attended the local high school and I excelled at art.

In 1983 we returned to South Africa from America and while I was in my matric year at Pierson High School in Port Elizabeth, I applied and was accepted to study fine art at University of Port Elizabeth, but unfortunately my parents could not afford to send me. So in
an effort to further my craft I apprenticed to one of South Africa’s top illustrators at the time, Tony Hugo and assisted him with various commissioned work in exchange for his guidance and training.

I then trained in the art of airbrushing, and found this form of medium to be really very exciting. This was how I made a living for many years. I love to work in a variety of mediums and have spent time perfecting my techniques with each one. In 2008 I was commissioned to do the artwork for the book published by Shambala Game Lodge of all of the animals in their park and of their track marks. This commission was done in pen and ink.

In 2013 I decided to enter the first Sanlam Portrait Awards and was selected in the top 40 artists of over 1800 applicants that year. At this time I was working mostly in oils on canvas, a medium I am most comfortable with. Recently I have been working with portraits in charcoal, and find to my surprise that I really enjoy this medium too.
I believe I am quite a versatile artist with an unquenchable thirst to draw and paint. Over the years I have worked consistently with refining my techniques and skills, together with the pressures of supporting a large family.