Isabelle du Toit

Isabelle du Toit’s approach to painting is both sensitive and expressive, although tightly controlled in its hyper-realistic rendering. The artist elevates the mostly solitary animals and birds she paints to the status of portraiture, meticulously depicting the unique character of each creature, and thereby challenging us to consider our impact on the environment. Du Toit’s work begs us to pay attention and consider how inextricably linked we all are to each and every living being. Imbuing her subjects with life and attitude, from the fine feathers around a bird’s eye or the individual wrinkles in their feet, to the expression in a tree frog’s eyes or the spots on their belly, du Toit leaves her backgrounds contrastingly stark. Her work explores empathy and compassion, and is a reflection on the increasingly isolated and selfish life that modern society has created. Although addressing serious contemporary concerns, du Toit also aims to convey a certain humor, hope, and optimism.

Du Toit received her BFA from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa and for over 15 years she has lived and painted in the United States. Her work can be found in both private and corporate collections, and she has had numerous solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums throughout the US.