Nature and energy distilled onto large scale canvas

Etienne Hubert

contemporary artist, plettenberg bay, south africa

ABOUT ME

Nature, Energy, and the Canvas

I feel privileged to call Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, my home. Living in this beautiful part of the world, I have been deeply impacted by my daily encounters with the raw power of nature.
Much of my time is spent in the ocean—most often on my surfski—where I am met with the most amazing experiences Mother Nature has to offer. These moments are the foundation of my work. I draw deep inspiration from the rhythm of the water, re-imagining those experiences into bold colors and shapes in my studio.
For me, the greatest pleasure lies in the translation—turning the vast energy of the outdoors into a physical presence on large-scale canvas. I have found that the energy within these pieces remains long after the paint has dried.

ARTISTIC BACKGROUND

A lifelong creative thread...

I have always been drawn to the act of creation. My earliest memories are defined by construction and color—from building worlds with Lego to hand-sketching birthday cards for family. Art was a constant throughout my schooling, a passion that eventually led me to a first-year art course at the University of Utah while on scholarship. It was there that I first fell in love with the raw, tactile nature of charcoal drawing.

The hidden journals...

While the next 25 years were dedicated to the world of business, my creative impulse never faded. Throughout those decades, I kept annual journals that became a private archive of my life; their pages are filled with sketches and drawings of the experiences and images that shaped me during that period.

The Richter Revelation...

Everything changed during a visit to the Tate Modern in London. Standing in the presence of Gerhard Richter’s work, I had a profound, moving experience. In a hall displaying six of his massive canvases, I felt a sudden, clear clarity: I "knew" then that large-scale abstract art was my future. That moment at the Tate was the catalyst that brought me to the studio I work in today, where I finally bring those decades of sketches and observations to life on a grand scale.

WHAT I DO

Purchasing Original works

The Gallery Collection

My existing works are available for purchase and can be viewed by appointment at my studio gallery in Plettenberg Bay. These pieces represent my most personal explorations of the ocean and the landscapes that move me.

View in Person: Seeing a large-scale canvas in person is a different experience—the texture of the acrylic and the true vibrancy of the colors are best appreciated up close. I invite collectors to visit my studio to experience the “energy” of these pieces firsthand.
Virtual Viewings: For international or out-of-town collectors, I can provide high-resolution details, videos of the work in natural light, or a “digital mockup” of how a specific piece would look on your own wall.
Worldwide Shipping: Every piece is professionally crated and shipped with the utmost care to ensure it arrives at its new home in perfect condition.

Available works can be viewed here my work

Commissioning a custom work

A Bespoke Interpretation of Your World

I welcome the opportunity to create site-specific works that resonate with the personal stories of my clients. If you have a landscape or a space that holds deep meaning, I am able to interpret that essence into a custom, large-scale piece.

The Process:

Meaningful Connection: My process begins with an exploration of the space and the person. I work best when I can connect with the photographs or memories you provide, ensuring the final piece is a true “re-imagining” of your experience.
Spatial Integration: Drawing on my 25 years of experience in home design, I am able to measure and assess your specific environment to ensure the work’s scale and energy transform the room perfectly.
Collaboration: If our visions align, I will take on the commission to create a custom work tailored specifically to your home or office.

To discuss a potential commission, please reach out via contact me.

Studio Visits & Appointments

Experience the Process

My studio is located in the vibrant Industrial hub of Plettenberg Bay. This is where the raw energy of the ocean is translated onto the canvas, and I welcome collectors and interior designers to experience that process firsthand.

By Appointment: To ensure I can give you my full attention, I host studio visits by appointment. This allows us to discuss specific pieces, view works-in-progress, and explore how the scale of my canvases can work within your project.
Behind the Scenes: A visit to the studio offers a unique look at the materials and methods I use—from the bold acrylics to the large-scale tools required to move paint across a massive surface.
The “Industrial” Edge: The studio’s location reflects the focused, hardworking nature of my practice. It is a space designed for creativity and impact.

To schedule a visit during your time in Plettenberg Bay, please contact me to arrange a suitable time.

Limited edition prints

Limited edition prints are now available for select works. Each series is produced in a restricted run to maintain its unique value. Contact me for the full list of available editions