Jonel was born in 1972 in Lichtenburg in the North West of South Africa, she moved to Johannesburg shortly afterwards, where she attended Fairlands Primary School and Linden High School. She obtained a B.Sc degree at the Rand Afrikaans University, majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. After her studies in 1994 she worked as a chemist. She is married with one daughter. Jonel has won numerous awards,

including first prize in the 1989 Women for Peace and Christie's of London art competition, catergory 15 years to 21 years.

Although her love for painting started at an early age, she only started painting commercially in 2003.

Jonel enjoys all types of sport, including squash, swimming, jogging and cycling. She has a keen interest in biographies of artists, and her favourite artist is Burt Silverman. Besides painting, reading and playing sport, Jonel loves spending time with her husband and daughter on their farm in Africa.

  • - Appeared in Tophuis Magazine April/May 2007 issue
  • - Appeared in TuinPaleis Magazine March 2008 issue
  • - Interviewed by Martjie Roos for Rapport Tydskrif 28 Sept 2008
  • - Interviewed by Christell Webb-Joubert for art radio programme on RSG 3 July 2008
  • - Interviewed by Eloise Pretorius for podcast on OFM Radio during Aardklop 2008
  • - Participated at Aardklop 2008 with Artworkz Gallery Jhb.
  • - Appeared on TV programme "Artcha" SABC2, July 2008, where she gave a master class and her work was introduced.
  • - Represented by Art Fusion Galleries, the biggest gallery in Miami Florida, situated in Art and Design district of Miami, USA. Exhibition at Art Fusion in July 2009. The gallery is under ownership of William Breamer.


1997 to currently

  • - Participate in group exhibitions hosted by Johan Smith Art Gallery, Clarence from 2003 to 2007.
  • - Exhibits at Alice Art Galleries (Ruimsig, Hartebeespoortdam, Clarence etc.), Rosendal Gallery ( Bellville); Art2Heart (Stilbaai).
  • - Commissions for International Clients.
  • - Alice Art Gallery (Fresh Talent) exhibition 2004.
  • - Participated in group exhibition of Studio 1
  • - Exhibits at Agora Gallery in New York in Jan 2009. Was Chosen to be represented by them for the year 2008. Work is being exhibited on their online gallery called www.Art-Mine.com as well
  • - Participate in 2007, 2008 Alice Art Gallery Christmas Miniatures Exhibition
  • - Invited to exhibit on online european website called Arttango (www.arttango.eu). The director of ArtTango and renowned artists,Leon Kipping, is also my agent in Europe. 
  • - Exhibited at Potchefstroom Museum in June 2008 together with Russian artist Nikolai Loukakis
  • - Invited to exhibit with Haiti born American artist, Patricia Brintle, in a collective Haiti-Africa Exhibition at the United Nations in New York Feb 2009.


1988 to 1996

  • - Formal training with renowned American Artist, Louise Goudemondt, in oil painting and design. Subject matter : figures and
    portraits.


Awards Received

  • - Merit Award from Kempton Park Town Council Annual Art competion(1991).
  • - Second Place Award from Kempton Park Town Council Annual Art competion(1990).
  • - First Place award from Women for Peace and Christie's of London Art competition with "Land of Peace" oil on canvas; Category 15 - 21 years.
  • - Second Price Winner in National Poster Competition "Productivity - South Africa's key to Prosperity"