"Art is not what you see but what you make others see"
Lesley Martyn is an artist from the Eastern Cape Highlands in South Africa who specializes in colour pencil drawings.
This medium lends itself to the highly detailed realistic style of her artworks.
Lesley has had her work featured in International Art Magazines, has won a number of awards for her art and has participated in a number of art exhibitions throughout South Africa. Some of her artwork is exhibited and available for purchase at the Atelier Asteria Gallery in Dullstroom. She also has a number of original artworks for sale which can be viewed in the GALLERY section of the website. Lesley also offers a limited number of commissions a year.

About Me
Born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, I relocated with my family at the age of 14, to the KZN Midlands in South Africa where I completed my schooling and obtained a degree in Industrial Psychology from Rhodes University.
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I worked in various different fields over the years (including the travel industry and farming) and lived both in the UK and Kenya before returning to South Africa.
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My husband and I managed a game reserve in the KZN Midlands for 10 years where we raised our children and then bought a small farm in the Eastern Cape Highlands where we now farm beef and a small flock of sheep.
With the beautiful backdrop of mountains for inspiration, I draw a variety of subjects in a highly detailed realistic style, with a particular focus on animals and portraiture. Our own Nguni cattle form a major part of my artworks with their striking features and bold patterns.
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I 'm a founding member of the Drawing Guild of South Africa which aims to showcase South African pencil artists in the drawn medium and am also a member of the Miniature Art Society of South Africa. I have participated in a number of online international exhibitions as well as exhibited my art within South Africa and have been featured in a number of international art magazines.
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Please view my gallery of original artwork for available pieces. I also have a number of artworks for sale at the Atelier Asteria Gallery in Dullstroom, South Africa.
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I am also available for custom commissions - please contact me for more information
I ship worldwide




Awards and Publications
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October 2018 - SA Artist Magazine featured Artist and front cover
March 2019 - Award for "Make a Wish" in the CPCAU Online International Exhibition
April 2019 - "The Music Makers" - Voted winner in the CPCAU Anniversary Competition
July 2019 - "The Music Makers" - Ann Kullberg Color Magazine gallery
August 2019 - "The Biggest Catch" - Colored Pencil Magazine gallery
August 2019 - Special Merit Award for "Watchful" in Light Space Time 9th Open Exhibition
August 2019 - Special Merit Award for "The Biggest Catch" in Light Space Time 9th Open Exhibition
October 2019 - 1st prize in Drawing from Observation competition for "Apple"
March 2020 - 1st runner up in Drawing from Observation portrait competition with "Valentijn"
Sept 2020 - "Kaleidoscope" featured in Colored Pencil Magazine Gallery
Sept 2020 - "Vusi" published in Ann Kullberg's Hidden Treasures Vol 6
Nov 2020 - Artist Feature in online art platform "Artsy Shark"
Oct 2022 - "Hidden Treasure" - Ann Kullberg Color Magazine (US)
August 2023 - "The Hitchhikers" featured artwork in Ann Kullberg Color Magazine
Nov 2023 - "The Hitchhikers" published in CP Treasures Vol 9
Jan 2024 - article published in Ann Kullberg's blog "My Sketchy Journey" (US)
Oct 2025 - tutorial article published in Carrie Lewis CP Magic Magazine (US)
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Exhibitions
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Oct 2020 - Drawing Guild inaugural exhibition - Weylandts, Nelspruit, South Africa
Oct 2021 - Drawing Guild exhibition - Home Collab, Parkhurst JHB
June 2022 - Drawing Guild Fine Lines Miniature Exhibition - George, South Africa
Nov 2022 - Drawing Guild Exhibition - Home Collab, Parkhurst JHB
Nov 2022 - MASSA Exhibition - Hyde Park, JHB
Nov 2023 - Drawing Guild/MASSA Exhibition - Hyde Park, JHB
May 2024 - Art in The Country, Hilton, KZN
Oct 2024 - Drawing Guild/MASSA Exhibition - Hyde Park, JHB
May/June 2025 - Collective Capture Gallery, KZN Midlands - miniatures on exhibition