There are few subjects that people return to time and again quite like the landscape. Perhaps it is because landscapes remind us of places we know. A favourite stretch of coastline, the quiet stillness of the mountains, open countryside after rain or the changing light across a valley. Long after we leave, these places stay with us.
The best landscape paintings do much the same. They don't simply record a view; they capture a feeling.
At StateoftheART, our collection of original landscape paintings brings together contemporary South African artists whose work celebrates the remarkable diversity of our country. From expressive plein air studies to atmospheric interpretations of mountains, coastlines and open landscapes, each painting offers its own unique perspective on the places that continue to inspire us.
Why Landscape Paintings Never Go Out of Style
Landscape painting remains one of the most collected genres of art, and for good reason. Unlike passing trends, landscapes possess a timeless quality. They introduce light, colour and a sense of openness into an interior while creating a lasting emotional connection with the viewer. Whether your home overlooks the sea or sits in the heart of a city, a landscape painting has the ability to bring a sense of calm and perspective into everyday life. For many collectors, that quiet presence is exactly what makes landscape painting so rewarding to live with.
The Artists Behind the Landscape
Every landscape begins with an artist seeing something worth remembering.
Joanna Lee Miller
Joanna Lee Miller paints directly from the landscape whenever she can. Working en plein air across the Western Cape, she captures fleeting changes in light and atmosphere with confidence and restraint. Her paintings feel immediate and deeply personal, inviting collectors to experience the landscape exactly as she encountered it.
Janet Dirksen
Janet Dirksen approaches the landscape through abstraction. Inspired by the changing light and atmosphere found in nature, her paintings balance expressive brushwork with subtle colour relationships, creating landscapes that feel emotional rather than descriptive. The result is work that suggests a place without defining it, leaving space for personal interpretation.
Kate Schärf
Kate Schärf's landscapes are energetic, expressive and unmistakably contemporary. Through vibrant colour, layered surfaces and confident mark-making, she distils the natural world into paintings that celebrate movement, rhythm and the emotional experience of being immersed in the landscape.
Karen Wykerd
Karen Wykerd finds inspiration in indigenous flora and the quieter details of the natural world. Whether working in paint or mixed media, her landscapes invite closer viewing, revealing layers of texture and observation that celebrate the richness of South Africa's botanical heritage.
Together, these artists demonstrate that there is no single way to paint a landscape. Some work from direct observation, others from memory, imagination or emotion, but each offers a distinctive way of seeing the world.
Choosing a Landscape Painting
One of the pleasures of collecting landscape art is discovering the places that speak to you personally. Some collectors are drawn to expansive mountain vistas or dramatic coastlines. Others prefer intimate studies of gardens, indigenous vegetation or open countryside. Some are captivated by expressive abstraction, while others look for paintings that capture a particular sense of place.
There is no right choice. The best landscape painting is simply the one that continues to draw you back every time you walk into the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are landscape paintings so popular?
Landscape paintings have an enduring appeal because they create an emotional connection with nature while bringing light, colour and a sense of space into an interior. They remain one of the most collected categories of contemporary art.
Are original landscape paintings a good investment?
Collectors are often attracted to original landscape paintings because of their lasting popularity. As with any artwork, value depends on the individual artist, rarity and the strength of the work itself.
Do landscape paintings suit contemporary interiors?
Absolutely. Contemporary landscape paintings work beautifully in modern homes, apartments and offices, where they introduce warmth, texture and a sense of calm without overwhelming a space.
Browse our collection of original landscape paintings by Joanna Lee Miller, Janet Dirksen, Kate Schärf, Karen Wykerd and other contemporary South African artists, and find the landscape that feels like home.
