Finding Light Through Colour - Gigi So Artsy Soul

In the vibrant creative heart of Cape Town, artist Ginette Hendricks — affectionately known as Gigi — has carved out a deeply personal and powerful space through abstract art. 

A single mother of three beautiful children, Gigi’s journey into the world of colour, texture, and expressive form was not planned. It was born from survival, healing, and the quiet courage to begin again.

A Journey of Courage

In her late thirties, while recuperating from a brutal attack, Gigi turned to painting as a form of therapy. What began as a temporary distraction slowly evolved into something much greater. The canvas became a safe space. The brush became a voice. And colour became a language when words felt insufficient.

Fifteen years later, art is no longer a distraction. It is a daily ritual. A calling. A sanctuary.

Art as a “Happy Space”

There is a saying that everyone should have a place they can call their “happy space.” For Gigi, that place exists somewhere between the first stroke of paint and the final textured layer on the canvas. When she paints, the outside world softens. Time shifts. Emotion transforms into movement. In those moments, she is completely present — grounded in creativity, freedom, and healing.

Her abstract works are bold yet deeply emotive, filled with layered textures and striking colour combinations that seem to pulse with life. Each piece tells a story without dictating one, inviting the viewer to interpret, feel, and connect in their own way.

"My art consists of acrylic mixed mainly with water to thin the paint and sometimes I use a pouring medium. I don't paint with a brush.  I use a hairdryer to move the paint around the canvas. There are so many different techniques one can use. So it's a never ending learning experience."

Gigi promotes and sells her artwork using Whatsapp Business - you can contact her directly here: +27601031813 (Nunzio Recommends Supporting Upcoming Artists)

Signature Works

Among her notable pieces are:

A Splash in the Ocean (top) – A celebration of depth, movement, and the vast emotional currents we all carry within us.

Time in Space (above) – A contemplative exploration of existence, presence, and the infinite nature of experience.

Water on Fire (below) – A powerful visual metaphor for resilience and strength

These works reflect not only Gigi’s artistic style but her life journey — one of transformation, perseverance, and rediscovered joy.

From Survival to Self-Expression

What makes Gigi’s art so compelling is the authenticity behind it. Her canvases are not created for trend or approval; they are created from lived experience. The textures mirror complexity. The colour choices reflect mood and growth. The layered techniques speak to the many dimensions of healing.

Over the past decade and a half, painting has become woven into the rhythm of her everyday life. It is both grounding and liberating — a reminder that creativity can be a powerful force in reclaiming one’s story.

Gigi’s journey is proof that sometimes the most beautiful expressions emerge from the most difficult seasons. In finding her “happy space,” she has not only transformed her own life but continues to share light, depth, and emotion with everyone who encounters her work.

And in every stroke, you can feel it — this is not just art.

It is healing made visible.

Reflecting Along the Stellenbosch Art Mile

A summer walk through art, nature, and calm...

Find more information here: Art Mile

A Different Kind of Gallery

This summer, I took a slow walk through one of Stellenbosch’s most quietly inspiring experiences: The Stellenbosch Art Mile. Launched in 2024, the Art Mile transforms a scenic stretch along the Eerste River into an open-air gallery. One that invites you to move, pause, and reflect rather than rush from wall to wall.

Unlike traditional galleries, this one unfolds under open skies. Art lives alongside trees, water, bridges, and people going about their day. It immediately feels accessible, relaxed, and human.

The Theme: Reflect

The Art Mile’s theme, “Reflect,” feels perfectly chosen. Many of the works play with light, surface, shadow, and perspective, but the deeper reflection happens internally. As you walk, you’re gently encouraged to slow down and notice not just the art, but your surroundings and your own thoughts.

A Walk Worth Taking

The route itself is a pleasure. It’s an easy, scenic walk, ideal for a summer morning or late afternoon. The river keeps things cool, the paths are well maintained, and the atmosphere feels unhurried.

What stood out to me most was how natural the experience felt. People weren’t whispering or tip-toeing around art. They were chatting, laughing, taking photos, sitting on benches, letting the art exist as part of everyday life. It felt less like visiting an exhibition and more like sharing a space.

Some pieces literally mirror the environment, pulling the mountains, river, and passers-by into the artwork itself. Others frame nature in unexpected ways, turning familiar views into something newly meaningful.

Supporting Art in Public Spaces

The Art Mile is also a reminder of how powerful public art can be. By placing contemporary works in an open, shared environment, it invites everyone in. Not just seasoned gallery-goers.

It’s free, open, and inclusive. You don’t need prior knowledge or context. You just need to show up and be curious. Supporting initiatives like this means supporting artists, creativity, and the idea that art belongs to everyone.

Clean, Calm, and Comfortably Safe

There’s something especially reassuring about experiencing art in a space that feels clean, safe, and well cared for. Stellenbosch shines here. The Art Mile reflects the town’s commitment to thoughtful public spaces and places where people feel comfortable walking, lingering, and connecting.

It’s the kind of environment that encourages reflection not just on art, but on what good urban spaces can feel like.

Leaving with More Than Photos

By the time I reached the end of the walk, I felt lighter. Not in a dramatic way. Just calmer, more present. The Art Mile didn’t demand attention; it earned it quietly.

If you’re in Stellenbosch and looking for something grounding, inspiring, and genuinely enjoyable, take the walk. Let the art meet you where you are. Let the river do the rest.

Sometimes reflection doesn’t happen in silence, it happens while walking forward, one thoughtful step at a time.