After my blog on Jislaaik Online Store, I decided to delve a bit deeper into some of their products that they feature as I was super interested in what they have on offer, as well as the different art & talent that was being shown off. The one page that really stood out to me is Kaatjie Produkte (Facebook & Instagram) & she recently posted that she was running a special on custom drawings & I have placed my order with her! I love seeing creativity & interpretation, & have decided that I am going to do a feature wall of our different “family portraits” I am having done & show off the different aspects of our family.
Malani also does does paintings & prints on shopping bags & cushions, & you can get gorgeous south african goodies added to these. Read on to find out more!
Kaatjie Produkte is still young in the business market and started in 2017 by me, Malani Venter, a journalist of an Afrikaans newspaper in Cape Town. So, by day I create with the written word and by night with ink, paint and a brush!
My love to create has always been there – after a Christmas gift from my mom to go to a screen printing course, the idea was mooted for a business. I work after hours and on weekends just outside Stellenbosch from my garage (great businesses started out in garages!) that is equipped for making the products.
The name comes from my cat, Kaatjie (“kat” is the Afrikaans word for “cat”, so when you pronounce it, just stretch the “a” out… Kaaaaaatjie!). This little fat black cat of mine sits very curious in the evenings with me in the garage and watches me work.
I’ve started out with screen printing designs on material, making tea towels, tote, coin and stationary bags. In April 2018 I started with an acrylic painting range called #HowzitRosie (Rosie is the name of the Kaatjie’s little one). These paintings are mainly acrylic, mixed with print, watercolour and soft pastel. For a touch of South African nostalgic and having a sweet tooth, I’ve decided to draw groceries – think Royal Baking Powder, SteriStumpie flavoured milk, KitKat chocolate and Nutella chocolate spread.
I also draw custom illustrations of South African families. All you have to do is Whatsapp me the photo you want me to draw and I’ll courier it back to you as soon as I’m finished. The drawing is not a replica of the person/pet on the photo, but you’ll immediately recognise the quirky character with the big eyes! It is wonderful to be part of this creative outlet – although I don’t know the families I draw, for a brief moment it feels like we are friends and it is a privilege to be part of that.
I’ve been working for 14 years at Media24, and (almost!) see myself as a Stellenboscher, but at heart I’ll always be a girl from a small town in the Free State. My love for the written word keeps me busy through out the day, but at night I want to draw and create. I also have a deep love for South Africa and hope that my business will one day create jobs.
In the meanwhile, I hope that my products and paintings will make those buying it, smile!
What makes you different? I’ve got a unique style regarding my custom drawings. The very big eyes of the characters I love – they come to life when I draw those eyes and you just instantly fall in love with them.
My mix of print and acrylic paint of the groceries range is also something I haven’t seen before – when you draw something people can relate to (nostalgic, something they love to eat, etc.) you create something that it timeless.
Quote I live by: “Think left and think right and think low and thing high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!” – Dr. Seuss
You can contact Malani through her social media platforms, or kaatjieprodukte@gmail.com, or 083 532 5483. I will be updating this with our family portrait when it arrives!
