Finally a blog update again.

Welcome back to my blog!

Hello Again! A Colourful Catch-Up 

Yes, I know... it's been a while since I last wrote a blog. Life has a way of filling up — with mosaic tiles, paintbrushes, beads, workshops, and (not to forget) a bit of travel, and plenty of creative chaos. But I’m here, and I thought it was time to reintroduce myself for those of you who are new here.

I’m Karla, a Dutch-born, South Africa-based mosaic artist with a deep love for colour, wildlife, and making meaningful things with my hands. For over 30 years, I’ve been creating bold, bright, and often slightly quirky artworks that combine mosaic, beads, painting, and sometimes whatever else I can get my hands on. My animal head mosaics, for example, are more than decorative—they’re my personal shout-out to the need for wildlife conservation in this beautiful part of the world.

Aside from getting messy in the studio, I’ve also organized global mosaic charity projects—from London to Nepal, and closer to home in Cape Town, where I helped bring a bit of joy to children recovering in hospital. Community and creativity go hand in hand for me, and since moving to South Africa in 2011, I’ve been lucky to work closely with some amazing local artisans. Together we’ve created more than just art—we’ve built opportunities, friendships, and some very colorful pieces!

My work has traveled too—it's popped up in exhibitions and collections across Europe, in books, and in over 20 countries. I wrote a children’s arts & crafts book called Wereldhandvaardigheid back in my London days. I would like to go back there and work on a collection of short e-books.

Currently, you can find my art in a few lovely galleries around South Africa—in Franschhoek, Hout Bay, Paternoster, and Hermanus. If you’re ever in the area, pop in and say hi (or better yet, adopt a piece!).

So that’s me in a nutshell—a lover of color, texture, stories, and spreading creativity in as many directions as possible.

Thanks for still being here.

Let’s Stay in Touch!

If you've made it this far, thank you! The main message? I’m still here, still creating, still passionate about colour, connection, and conservation—and I’ve got lots more to share.

Got a favorite gallery from the list? Or a question about my materials or process? I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment below or send a message.

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