By Katlego Sekhu
959 Breakfast‘s Dineo Ranaka recently discovered that she can illustrate and is going through a “spiritual transition” that requires her to” go inward and silence the noise on the outside.”
Dineo Ranaka exclusively opens up about the journey that is helping her heal traumas from the past.
“I am trying to increase my discipline in my career, my relationship with my employers, my clients, and other spaces where I serve,” says Ranaka, who has been itching to create.
“I’ve been pregnant with so much creativity. And I said to my partner, ‘Love, I’m going to lose it if I don’t stop.’ I needed to do something with my hands, and he said to me, ‘Don’t stress (he supports me quite a lot).’ So he said,’ What do you want to do?” and I said, ‘I just want to start creating with my hands.’
“We went to a warehouse store, stocked up on supplies, went home, started creating, and boom—the first piece I made (the ideas were perfect and beautiful). It’s perspective and therapy.”
The mother of three has reached a point in her life where all “the pains of the past two years are finally being poured out the rightful way—through beautiful pieces of art.”
She often does her art with her kids. “I do art with the children now. My daughter also does things that are artistic. She does her own DIY stuff. She’s been dipping her shoes. We’re probably going to do that with the ANXY stuff, hydro-dip them, and make some creative stuff,” adds Dineo, who recently got her first client.
“I have been commissioned to do somebody’s house. The first art piece that I have done is titled Worked in. I’ve been given carte blanche to produce and pour out from my soul.
“This friend of mine has just recently bought himself a house, and he has entrusted me with the decor aspect of the house, and he has given me full carte blanche.” He is my first client, actually.”
Plans for the future
Dineo plans to take her illustration further.
“I really like the idea of creating bespoke art pieces that are especially for that one client. So if a person wants to decorate a room in their house that is special to them—their child’s room, their lounge, their family room, or even a kitchen.
“I have put together a team that should help me should I get commissioned, which I believe I will. That’s the thing about art: it is therapeutic. I would advise anyone, even if you are not going to do anything professional to monetize your art, but never kill the child inside of you by denying yourself artistic experience.”
She encourages people to try out art. “It’s very important for the sanity of any human being. I was just introduced at 39 to Dineo when she was 16. And I nearly forgot, but I remember how creative and peaceful she was. I like that, and I love her, and I want it to inspire the adult that I am today,” said Dineo Ranaka.
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