Hildegard Karin Mckee is a South African citizen residing in a suburb of Cape Town in the Western Cape province.
I was born in Pretoria in 1954 and matriculated in 1972. I have always been keenly interested in art. l attended extra mural art classes and took it as a subject in senior high school. I tried out many different mediums until, at the age of 16 I received a basic set of oil paints and that was it for me! I found my preferred medium although I still at times dabbled in other mediums.
Throughout the years I have joined a variety of art painting groups and art societies. We often paint together and go to art exhibitions and events then explore the works further in conversations amongst ourselves.
My painting techniques vary from fine to rough brush work. The style that I predominantly work in is realism. The subject matter that I cover varies from nature and more abstract topics. In my allegorical works I explore social issues impacting mankind and the world.
I am often drawn to more obscure and unusual natural phenomena which I then adapt to suit a specific interpretation of reality giving my work more depth of meaning.
I commonly search for imagery of nature that is strikingly unusual and then reinterpret it through my creative process to let it evolve into something more profound.
I have a great love for animals and take great pleasure in painting them, especially animals that are on the extinction list or near extinction ie wolves, tigers, clouded leopards, african wild dogs, orangutans and gorillas which are but a few of the threatened species.
In my development as an artist as I am today, I have to acknowledge the input of other artists and teachers, specifically Hildegarde Van Zyl that has been my mentor. With unlimited patience she has guided me along my journey to become a better artist. For approximately 12 years I was under her tutelage.