Recovered post from 12 January 2026 It’s a new year and we are BACK! Refreshed, recharged, and very excited to bring the mess back to life. Messy Fam… I have so many ideas planned for this year and I cannot wait to share them with you. 2026 is shaping up to be a year of pure chaotic, artistic fun, the kind where paint splashes, laughter is loud, and nobody leaves without colour on their hands (or clothes). This is a big year for us. In April, Messy Masterpieces will be part o

Recovered post from 31 December 2025 Hello Messy Fam! It has been a while since I have written a blog! The last few weeks have definitely kept me on my toes, and I made the conscious decision to pack away my paint brushes for a bit and spend quality time with my family. Pure bliss — and, as expected… a very Messy Home! As this year comes to a close, I find myself pausing. Not rushing into planning for the new year (even though that probably should’ve been done ages ago), but

Recovered post from 31 October 2025 Posted by Sonette Sometimes you can diarize things like “write a new blog post,” and it still won’t happen! Man, am I guilty of that. So now, coffee in hand, I’m sitting and typing my thoughts. Many of you know about our little business taking a break during Covid, and our slow but steady reopening and expanding our paint cans this year. But if I could sum up the last five months in one simple sentence… Blessed beyond belief. I have to si

Recovered post from 19 September 2025 Posted By Sonette. When you’re really good at “fake it till you make it”… it becomes second nature. People see me on event night — cool, collected, wine in hand, guiding everyone like it’s the easiest thing in the world. But let me tell you a secret: behind all those brush strokes and all that “perfect organisation” is pure chaos. We’re talking forgotten equipment, last-minute venue scrambles, mics that mysteriously aren’t charged, a spr

Recovered post from 5 September 2025 Posted by Sonette Dear future Messy Masterpieces guest, I see you. Sitting there, stalking our event posts, thinking “This looks fun… but I’d probably make a fool of myself.” Or maybe: “I can’t even draw a stick figure — how the heck am I supposed to paint a whole canvas?” Relax. Take a sip of whatever’s in your cup. Breathe. Because I’m here to tell you that you’re going to survive, and YES I am going to say it... LOVE your very first pai

Recovered post from 22 August 2025 Posted by Sonette People often think I’m the one running the show at Messy Masterpieces, but let me tell you a little secret: I’m not a one-woman act. Before any paint even hits a canvas, there’s a whole crew making it happen. A small business doesn’t run on magic alone, it runs on people who show up, get messy, and somehow survive my chaos. And let me tell you… behind every brush stroke and every paint-splattered table is a full-on messy m

Recovered post from 15 August 2025 Posted by Sonette Three Days, Three Workshops, One Epic Weekend Women’s Day weekend hit us like a tropical storm and we didn’t mind one bit! We hosted three epic events at three fabulous locations. The best part? We had a total of 270 guests for the weekend!!! Are you screaming with joy? Because I am. Friday Night – The Cardinals Baseball Club We kicked off with a Moms Supporting Moms event at the Boksburg Cardinals Baseball Club. Fun

Recovered post from 8 August 2025 Posted by Sonette Hey, you beautiful mess of a woman. Yes, you; with the paint-stained hands, the chaotic schedule, and the wild heart that never quits. Happy Women’s Day. Before we throw glitter in the air and cheers to all the wins, let’s remember why this day even exists. Back in ’56, 20,000 fierce South African women marched to the Union Buildings. Not for a photo op. Not for a hashtag. But because enough was enough. They were hungry for

Recovered post from 1 August 2025 Posted by Sonette July. Wow. What a whirlwind. When I look back, it’s hard to believe how much life, laughter, and creativity we packed into just a few weeks. Five events. Three towns. Two provinces. And best of all? 120 smiling faces leaving with their very own messy masterpiece. The Magic of the Month Each event had its own personality. Different towns, different venues, different people, but the same energy. The same spark when someone re

Posted by Sonette There’s a place in Benoni that smells like turpentine, soup, and soul. You probably wouldn’t notice it driving by, a small little art school tucked into an unassuming street. No neon signs. No flashing lights. Just a humble building with big, creative energy humming inside it. That’s Art Alive. And if you know, you know. For me, it’s not just an art school. It’s not just a gallery. It’s the place that cracked me wide open as an artist. It’s the place t

Recovered post from 18 July 2025 Posted by Sonette So, we all have those standout moments tied to big life events, right? The ones you remember forever — not because they were perfect, but because they were absolutely, gloriously not. Well, I’ve got mine. To be fair, I should’ve known this would happen. After 7pm, all my English airtime runs out. That’s when my full-blown van der Merwe takes the mic — and she does not care for pronunciation or logic. The piece we were doing

Recovered post from 11 July 2025 Posted by Sonette People often ask me what it’s like behind the scenes — who I am beyond the paint, the brushes, and the workshops. So here’s a little peek into the layers that make me, me. What brings me joy outside of painting? Life. I love spending time with my family, my fur kids, and my friends. Whether it’s taking the dogs to the park, laughing around a fire with friends, or just chilling on the couch with my partner watching TV. Those m

Recover post from 4 July 2025 Posted by Sonette I don’t always have the words for what I feel. But I almost always have a colour. A texture. A brushstroke. Some people journal. Others dance it out. Me? I reach for paint — especially when my brain feels like a wild little weather system. It doesn’t always work that way though! Sometimes I paint soft and pretty. Sometimes it’s joyful chaos.And sometimes it’s just blobs of colour that make no sense but feel so right in the momen

Recovered post from 27 June 2025 Posted by Sonette People often ask me what my favourite painting is. The honest answer? It changes all the time. I’m the kind of person who has a new favourite song every week, so choosing a single painting as the one feels nearly impossible. The artist brain is a messy and emotional one. But today, right now, if I had to choose… it would be this piece: "My muse, my mentor, my mother." This oil painting is based on a photo taken by one of her

Recovered post from 20 June 2025 Posted by Sonette Hey there, beautiful soul If you’ve found your way to this little corner of my website, hello and welcome. You’ve just stepped into a space where creativity runs wild, sleeves are always rolled up, and fun is the name of the game. I’m Sonette — artist, paint-splasher, event host, and full-time colour enthusiast. After years of painting, teaching, creating and dreaming in Benoni and beyond, I’ve finally decided to open up the