Karien Bredenkamp: From Drawings to Poetry to Her Book ‘Enigma’

June 10th, 2024

Have you ever looked at a piece of art and felt inspired to create something of your own? Karien Bredenkamp knows this feeling well.

As an illustrator and poet, she has been drawing for as long as she can remember, growing up in South Africa.

Specializing in pointillism, her intricate art style is complemented by her recent foray into poetry, which she began after moving to the United States a few years ago.

Although Karien discovered her passion for drawing early, she spent many years in the academic world before finally pursuing her dream full-time. It was a long-awaited dream that finally came true, allowing her to immerse herself fully in her creative endeavors.

Karien found that her illustrations and poetry naturally complemented each other, like action and reaction. This synergy inspired her to create “Enigma,” a book that features her drawings alongside their corresponding poems.

To achieve this, Karien stepped back from her role as an artist to view her work with fresh eyes. She found new interpretations of her art and channeled these insights into her poetry.

“Enigma” was published earlier this year. The first poem, also titled “Enigma,” delves into her struggle to understand herself—a theme she says is common among artists.

For more information about her book and illustrations, visit Karien Bredenkamp