Comfort Oil on Canvas by Cornelie Wolff

Comfort Oil on Canvas

Dimensions: 45 cm x 55 cm x 4 cm

Medium: Oil

‘Comfort’ is not just a mother and child; it’s a powerful, intimate exploration of love, protection, and the silent strength found in an embrace.

The textured background, which features a subtle, honeycomb-like pattern that speaks to the intricate, protective weave of family and community. This isn’t merely decorative; it’s symbolic, suggesting the safe and nurturing environment within which this love flourishes. It’s a timeless testament to the enduring power of maternal love and the security it provides.

The masterful brushwork captures a moment of universal tenderness, rendering the figures with a beautiful blend of rich realism and evocative abstraction. The vibrant headwrap, a crown of greens and blues, frames the mother’s graceful profile as she gazes forward with quiet determination. Nestled securely in her arms, the child looks out, their expression a poignant mix of innocence and wonder. The striking red earring adds a brilliant pop of colour, a vibrant accent to their serene bond.

Oil on Canvas

Cornelie Wolff Approaching Art from a Different Angle

This Johannesburg-based artist started as a pharmacist.  After completing her Honours Degree in Psychology, she joined Helios to further her skills in Art Therapy.   During this time, she fell in love with art, the process and the emotional power it yields.

While raising her family, which consisted of three young children, she took part-time classes with Rika de Klerk and Willie Jacobs.  She also attended workshops led by Koos Bronkhorst, Niel Moss, Willie Jacobs, Rentia Coetzee, Ruth Walters, Elize Bezuidenhout, Douw van Heerden, Charla Maarschalk, and Jennifer McChristian.

Today, she practices what she preaches by creating her work under the motto: “With every painting I complete, I grow as a person and an artist.”

My art is created from a place of wonder – it is my dream for every human to never completely lose the child inside them, because it is our ability to see wonder and magic in things.  I use bold brushstrokes, contrast and an impressionistic approach to entice the viewer to create their own interpretation of the subject and become part of my world.