Jooste Francois (1967-)
Francois, who was born in 1967 in Delmas, Mpumalanga, exhibited artistic ability at a young age despite without official training. In 1988, he relocated to Pretoria. After his first painting ever won an art competition in 2001, he decided to follow his passion for painting.
Although South African artists Nic van Rensburg and Munro, as well as French impressionist Monet, served as inspiration, he feels that his creativity is a gift from God.
Francois is now well-known for his floral and figurative paintings, as well as portraits and commissioned pieces that proudly hang in homes all throughout South Africa.
He exclusively uses oil paints, and the subject matter he chooses to paint covers a wide range, including figure studies, flower studies, still lifes, wildlife, landscapes, and steam engines.