Deodanda Brown

From desolated landscapes that leave only the land’s natural beauty at the heart of each painting to the portraits of her beloved cows and bulls, Deodanda Brown’s art always focuses on protecting God’s magnificent creation, ending animal cruelty, and finding hope.
“Growing up on a farm sowed the seeds of the many memories I carry with me”, she says. “I fell in love with the stillness of the land, its natural and quiet beauty. And even though I was always surrounded by people and animals, my landscapes are always devoid of their presence.”
Her cattle art lies very close to her heart and is a voice against brutal farming ractices. “I have seen horrific things in my life”, she says.
By removing the landscape elements, she creates a portrait milieu into which the viewer is invited into a world filled with the beauty of these often-overlooked farm animals and to discover the hidden and gentle souls that are mothers, fathers, and protectors.
Her love for nature can also be seen in her floral and wildlife works which are exciting explorations on her artistic journey.
Working on both large and small paintings and using the richness of oil pigments on canvas or wood, her painting style can vary from the soft and delicate colour nuances in her animal work to the energetic textures and vibrant colour fusions that drape her landscapes.
Weaved into the titles of every painting are pieces from her life’s story. “My paintings are a testimony of hope and courage, and building a life through God’s grace in a world that has left its scars on every living thing. I am excited to be on a journey that allows me to give thanks to God and share the seeds of the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through my work as an artist.”
Deodanda left her career in the pharmaceutical industry in 2016 to pursue her love for art on a full-time basis. She is a self-taught painter who has taken part in numerous group exhibitions and exhibited with local galleries. She lives and works in Durbanville, South Africa.