Original Paintings by Martin Osner
To me, painting and mixed media art are a creative space of exploration—a layer that extends beyond the photograph. Sometimes a piece begins with an image as a reference point; other times, I blend paint and traditional art materials with the photographic image, and sometimes I create a work solely from memory, imagination or emotion. Each painting is shaped by observation and the trial and error of the creative process—a way of translating ideas into texture, light and form.
A Contemporary Collection of Fine Art Paintings
Browse Paintings and Commissions
African Art
People & Portraits
Abstract
Mixed Media
Landscape
Triptych
Contemporary Landscape Paintings
This collection of landscape paintings reflects a deep connection to place and atmosphere. Working with texture, layered colour, and shifting light, I explore the quiet presence of familiar scenes—mountains, trees, open fields, and simple structures — that hold a sense of memory. Some works begin with a photographic reference, while others take shape more intuitively, capturing the feeling of a landscape rather than a precise record of it. The collection includes pieces created for exhibition as well as commissioned works developed in collaboration with collectors.
Midnight Melancholy
A quiet seascape painted in layered tones of blue and grey, capturing the last light before nightfall. The ocean tide moves gently into a sheltered lagoon under a heavy, brooding sky. Hints of warmth on the horizon suggest the sun’s final glow, contrasting with the coolness of the water and the deep shadows along the shoreline. This piece invites reflection and stillness, offering a moment of calm where the sea and sky meet.
Artwork Details:
Edition: 1 (Original)
Medium: Oil & Acrylic Paint on Aluminium
Size: 150 x 120 cm / 59" x 47" (Framed)
Availability: View Gallery Listing
Emerald Serenity
This landscape painting combines elements drawn from photographs I took in different places, layered into a single composition. The farmhouse itself is situated in the Tankwa Karoo, a region known for its quiet resilience and wide, open spaces. The cluster of trees was inspired by a stand perched on a hill along the Garden Route near a place called Rivier Sonder Einde—River Without End. The fence line was photographed in the seaside village of Scourie in Scotland. The textured ground beneath the house suggests the complexity of the soil and hidden structures below the surface, while the rocky terrain speaks to the strength and endurance of what is built upon it. Layers of colour and texture bring together these fragments into a scene that feels rooted yet reflective.
Artwork Details:
Edition: 1 (Original)
Medium: Ink and Paint on Metal
Size: 105 x 150 cm / 41" x 59" (Framed)
Availability: View Gallery Listing
Twilight Hues on Country Lane
This painting combines elements from several photographs I took, along with painted details, to create a serene rural scene. The farmhouse is the same building depicted in Emerald Serenity, shown here from a different angle. The telephone pole and winding road were photographed on a farm known as Bo Plaas—meaning “upper farm.” The surrounding forest was painted in, adding a sense of depth and enclosure that wasn’t present in the original setting. The sky, too, is entirely imagined, built up in layers of paint to capture the soft light of evening. Together, these elements create a tranquil moment along a country lane, inviting a pause for reflection.
Artwork Details:
Edition: 1 (Original)
Medium: Ink and Paint on Metal
Size: 105 x 150 cm / 41" x 59" (Framed)
Availability: View Gallery Listing
Amber Reverie
A textured landscape painted in warm, earthy hues, capturing the quiet presence of a distant lake beneath a dramatic sky. Layers of ochre and soft grey create a sense of depth and atmosphere, suggesting a place both familiar and imagined. This piece reflects a moment of stillness, where light and land meet in quiet balance.
Artwork Details:
Edition: 1 (Original)
Medium: Paint on Metal
Size: 46 x 46 cm / 18" x 18" (Framed)
Availability: View Gallery Listing
Hillside Harmony
A nostalgic artwork that combines memories and photographs to create a serene scene overlooking the coast. The cottage is the same building shown in other works, here viewed from a different angle. The washing line was photographed in the seaside village of Arniston, while the tree behind the house was captured in the botanical gardens. Layers of warm earth tones and soft texture evoke the feeling of a place where time slows down, and simple details—a line of washing, a solitary tree—become part of the story.
Artwork Details:
Edition: 1 (Original)
Medium: Ink and Paint on Metal
Size: 70 x 70 cm / 28" x 28" (Framed)
Availability: View Gallery Listing
Homestead Reverie
A large painting which depicts an old farmhouse discovered in the area known as Leopard’s Creek, near Ashton in the Western Cape. The scene is rendered in a dramatic style characteristic of my Abandoned collection, blending texture and atmosphere to evoke a sense of nostalgia. With closed eyes, memories of creaking floors and weathered walls come to mind—a place that feels both familiar and distant. This piece is part of the Yesterday series, reflecting on the quiet stories left behind in forgotten spaces.
Artwork Details:
Edition: Original Artwork
Medium: Acrylic and Ink on Metal
Size: 150 x 150 cm / 59" x 59" (Framed)
Availability: Sold - Enquire About Commissioning a Similar Piece
Stature
This painting depicts a solitary tree with a strong, graceful presence, inspired by a photograph I took on the slopes of Table Mountain near Lion’s Head. Its distinctive shape and quiet resilience gave rise to the name Stature. The piece is part of the "Yesterday" collection, exploring places and subjects that evoke a sense of memory and time.
Artwork Details:
Edition: Original Artwork
Medium: Acrylic and Ink on Metal
Size: 150 x 150 cm / 59" x 59" (Framed)
Availability: Sold – Enquire About Commissioning a Similar Piece
Sunset at Graymead Road
This acrylic painting depicts an old farmhouse near the largest dam in the Western Cape. When I visited, the dam was over capacity, and the water had risen well above the floodline, creating reflections that add interest to the foreground. The warm tones of sunset bring a sense of calm to the scene, while the weathered walls of the house suggest a quiet resilience. This piece invites reflection on the beauty of rural places and the memories they hold.
Artwork Details:
Edition: 1 (Original)
Medium: Acrylic & Ink on Metal
Size: 75 x 105 cm / 30" x 41" (Framed)
Availability: View Gallery Listing
Large-Scale Triptych Paintings
These commissioned triptychs explore expansive landscapes with layered detail and texture. Painted in acrylic on canvas and aluminium, each piece is created to transform a space, offering a sense of place and atmosphere on a dramatic scale. Whether inspired by a specific location or developed from a series of photographs, these works can be tailored to suit individual interiors and collections.
Heidelberg Harvest
This large triptych was commissioned to celebrate a memory of a beautiful part of Cape Town, where the Heidelberg mountains stretch from Somerset West towards Stellenbosch. Created for a client’s wife, who grew up in the area, the painting highlights the distinctive fynbos in the foreground and the clear blue sky for which Cape Town is known. Layers of texture and colour capture the essence of harvest-time and the quiet beauty and awe of the landscape. This piece took just over two months to complete.
Artwork Details:
Edition: Original Commission
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 400 x 240 cm / 157" x 94" (Framed)
Availability: Commissioned – Enquire About Commissioning a Similar Piece
Valley of Solitude
In this large panoramic triptych, a solitary tree stands quietly on a hillside overlooking the vast open veld. Painted on aluminium, the piece captures the feeling of wide African spaces and the soft sway of long grasses under a pastel sky. The grand scale and gentle palette create a sense of calm and reflection. This work was commissioned to hang in a modern dining room for a client who wanted a daily reminder of their African experience—of savannah landscapes, stillness, and the beauty of open horizons.
Artwork Details:
Edition: Original Commission
Medium: Acrylic on Aluminium
Size: 340 x 160 cm / 134" x 63" (Framed)
Availability: Commissioned – Enquire About Commissioning a Similar Piece
Abstract Paintings: Tension and Harmony
Drawing on the spirit of spontaneous creation, this collection of abstract paintings explores the energy and emotion of the moment. Inspired in part by Jackson Pollock’s expressive techniques, many of these works layer fluid gestures with textured surfaces, text underlays, and subtle colour variations. Each piece invites the viewer into a conversation between chaos and order, presence and memory—a place where the unexpected becomes part of the story. From oil on canvas to paint over aluminium, these artworks are both visually striking and deeply personal.
Manic Monday
A unique original abstract artwork inspired by the expressive style of Jackson Pollock. Manic Monday is an oil painting layered over ultra-chrome ink, created as a tribute to the energy and unpredictability of abstract expressionism. While Pollock admitted that his work has no beginning or end and no single area of interest to disrupt the pattern, this piece follows that philosophy. The entire surface is populated with hundreds of words and sentences embedded in the background—yet each phrase is carefully concealed beneath dynamic splatters and drips of paint, ensuring no word is fully revealed. Concrete texture and text underlays add depth and intrigue to the composition, camouflaged beneath layers of vibrant movement. In-person, this large collector’s piece is both powerful and captivating, offering endless details to discover.
Artwork Details:
Edition: 1 (Original)
Medium: Oil Paint on Canvas
Size: 180 cm x 140 cm / 70" x 55"
Availability: View Gallery Listing
Pattern of the Unspoken
An abstract painting created in honour of Jackson Pollock’s iconic style of abstract expressionism. The composition is divided into two distinctive sections—an approach inspired by the work of Mark Rothko—blending influences from both masters of abstraction. A delicate metallic copper wash warms the upper half of the piece, contrasting with the cooler textures below. Although it appears metallic, this artwork has been meticulously painted on fine art watercolour rag paper, adding a tactile richness that rewards close viewing.
Artwork Details:
Edition: 1 (Original)
Medium: Mixed media on watercolour rag paper
Size: 38.5cm x 51cm / 15" x 20" (Framed)
Availability: View Gallery Listing
Emerald Serenity
A contemporary abstract painting inspired by Jackson Pollock’s expressive approach to mark-making. Painted on aluminium, the artwork features a rich green background overlaid with energetic lines and splashes in white, blue, and copper tones. The layered paint creates texture and depth, evoking a sense of movement and quiet tension. The interplay between light and dark brings the surface alive, rewarding close contemplation.
Artwork Details:
Edition: Original Commission
Medium: Acrylic on Aluminium
Size: 120 x 120 cm / 47" x 47" (Framed)
Availability: Commissioned – Enquire About Commissioning a Similar Piece
Abstract Serenity # 1 - 5
This series of expressive abstract paintings explores the interplay between spontaneity and contemplation. Inspired by the dynamic energy of Jackson Pollock and the reflective qualities of colour and form, each piece is a visual meditation—a balance between tension and calm.
Created using multiple layers of acrylic paint dripped, splattered and poured onto aluminium panels, these works capture moments of raw movement frozen in time. Subtle shifts in palette—from vibrant oranges and blues to earthy greens and neutral washes—offer a unique mood in each composition while maintaining a cohesive spirit across the collection.
Although the artworks are united by their format and approach, each one stands as a distinctive statement, inviting viewers to find their own interpretations within the intricate web of lines, splatters, and textures.
Artwork Details:
Edition: Series of Original Paintings (Sold)
Medium: Acrylic Paint on Aluminium
Size (Each): 40 x 40 cm / 16" x 16"
Availability: Sold – Enquire About Commissioning a Similar Work
Layers of Time: Mixed Media Expressions
My mixed media paintings are born from an instinctive process that blends paint and texture using physical objects. I create each piece by layering materials and techniques to build depth, dimension, and feeling. For me, this approach is a way of capturing the essence of a place or a moment—something that feels both real and yet imagined. Every layer, colour and texture helps to tell part of the story, inviting you to look more closely and discover your interpretation.
Threads of Alchemy
A vibrant exploration of transformation, Threads of Alchemy merges bold colour and textured detail into a striking visual tapestry. Vivid turquoise and deep orange collide across a layered surface, their interplay suggesting the restless energy of change. Textured patches rise from the background like fragments of hidden memories, glinting with metallic highlights. In this piece, I have tried to capture the alchemy of creation itself—the moment when raw material becomes something more: a story, a feeling, an echo of wonder.
Artwork Details:
Edition: 1 (Original)
Medium: Paint on Metal
Size: 64 x 80 cm / 25" x 31"
Availability: Available – Enquire to Purchase
Whispers of Dawn
In the quiet stillness of dawn, nature feels untouched and serene. The wind moves gently through the grass, creating a soft, soothing sound that amplifies the silence. As the sun begins to rise, its golden light spills across the land, infusing the morning air with a sense of joy and renewal. I want the tangible textures and layered colours to draw you into this tranquil moment—an invitation to pause, reflect and just be.
Artwork Details:
Edition: 1 (Original)
Medium: Paint on Metal
Size: 55 x 75 cm / 22" x 30"
Availability: Available – Enquire to Purchase
Painted Narratives: People and Portraits
Each of these artworks is more than a likeness—it is a glimpse into the human spirit. My portrait and figurative pieces blend painting, photography, and mixed media techniques to reveal hidden layers of character and emotion. From historical figures and cultural icons to quiet moments of introspection, these works explore how identity, memory, and narrative intersect. I’m fascinated by the way a single expression, gesture, or backdrop can spark curiosity and invite a deeper connection with the subject.
Jackie & Jimmy
In this original mixed-media painting, Jimi Hendrix emerges as a musical superhero whose vibrant influence leaves no one untouched. Here, his presence “taints” Jackie Kennedy, transforming the iconic elegance of a First Lady into something altogether more rebellious and alive.
The concept draws inspiration from the famous Time magazine cover featuring John F. Kennedy—a symbol of polished political idealism—now reimagined in a surreal encounter with Hendrix’s uncontainable spirit. This unexpected pairing reflects the cultural tension between the establishment and counterculture, between order and wild creative freedom.
Artwork Details:
Artist: Martin Osner
Edition: Original Commission
Medium: Mixed Media on Aluminium
Size: 160cm x 120cm / 63" x 47"
Availability: Commissioned – Enquire About Commissioning a Similar Piece
Recollections of Summer
Memories of summer down by the sea—nostalgic moments, forever with me. The ocean so vast and so blue, turquoise waves washing away the hue. Recollections of Summer is a tender reflection on the fleeting beauty of warm days spent at the shore. Soft layers of acrylic and ink merge to evoke a dreamlike sense of peace and longing, as though the scene were suspended between reality and memory.
This original painting is part of my Yesterday collection: a series of timeless memoirs etched deep in the subconscious and coated in nostalgia. These works celebrate recollections that help us cope with the present and inspire hope for the future—snapshots of perfect moments that stay with us always.
Artwork Details:
Edition: Original Artwork
Medium: Acrylic and Ink on Metal
Size: 120cm x 150cm / 47" x 59"
Availability: View Gallery Listing
Apostle of Democracy
In this commissioned mixed-media portrait, Thomas Jefferson stands as a prophetic voice whose influence continues to resonate today. Inspired by the iconic painting by Rembrandt Peale, the work reimagines Jefferson’s classical likeness against a contemporary brick wall layered in graffiti—an intentional contrast between Enlightenment ideals and modern disillusionment. This piece invites reflection on how Jefferson’s warnings about power and governance continue to echo in the world we live in.
Artwork Details:
Artist: Martin Osner
Edition: Original Commission
Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas
Size: 112cm x 119cm / 44" x 47"
Availability: Commissioned – Enquire About Commissioning a Similar Piece
Mayer Amschel Rothschild
In this original mixed-media painting, my client wanted to bring Mayer Amschel Rothschild into sharper focus—not just as a historical figure but as someone whose influence feels remarkably present. While I kept his portrait true to a classical style, I surrounded him with bold, modern colours to highlight the tension between the world he knew and the one we live in now.
This vibrancy is intentional. It’s a way to reflect on how his statement about money and power still rings true today, perhaps even more so. The clash between the reserved, dignified pose and the energetic palette is a way of showing that some truths don’t fade with time—they only grow more undeniable.
Artwork Details:
Edition: Original Commission
Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas
Size: 142cm x 114cm / 56" x 45"
Availability: Commissioned – Enquire About Commissioning a Similar Piece
Janice Joplin
This large mixed-media painting was commissioned to celebrate Janis Joplin—an unforgettable voice and spirit that defined a generation. I wanted this piece to capture the vibrancy and wild energy that made her an icon, as well as the bittersweet edge of her story. As a member of the so-called “27 Club,” Janis’s life was tragically short, but her influence has never faded.
The reference for this painting comes from a famous photograph taken by Jim Marshall in 1969, showing Janis perched on her Porsche 356 Cabriolet in San Francisco. For me, this commission symbolised her uncontainable creativity and free spirit.
Artwork Details:
Artist: Martin Osner
Edition: Original Commission
Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas
Size: 190cm x 135cm / 75" x 53"
Availability: Commissioned – Enquire About Commissioning a Similar Piece
African Portraits: Celebrating Heritage in Paint
With these original African portraits, I honour the incredible country we live in and the rich colours of its heritage through a contemporary style. Each painting is an exploration of identity and spirit, blending layered textures and expressive mark-making to create work that feels both personal and universal. This collection continues the story begun in my African Queen Collection, celebrating the strength, beauty, and resilience that define the African experience. Whether viewed as individual portraits or part of a larger narrative, these pieces are an invitation to reflect on the dignity and character of this remarkable continent.
Ayanda
Ayanda is one of three identical sisters in Martin Osner’s Tshazile – She Who Shines collection—a portrait series celebrating the beauty and spirit of African women. Her name means “they are increasing”—a symbol of growth and legacy.
While she shares a likeness with Zinhle and Thandiwe, Ayanda’s gentle strength and quiet grace set her apart. Painted in acrylic and ink on canvas, this original work is part of the African Queen Art Collection, where every portrait tells a story of feminine dignity.
Artwork Details:
Medium: Acrylic and Ink on Canvas
Size: 92 x 74 cm (Framed)
Edition: Original 1 of 1 painting
Availability: Currently on exhibition
Gallery Listing: View Ayanda on our online gallery
The Story Behind the Tshazile Collection
Three sisters with the same face, each revealing her own story. What began as an offcut of aluminium and a spark of creative curiosity unfolded into something I could never have planned. Ayanda, Zinhle, and Thandikwe were born from that beautiful uncertainty that fuels artistic exploration. Often, the most significant work comes when we trust our instincts and allow one painting to guide us to the next. You can discover more about their journey in the African Queen Collection.
Timeless Africa
Nobuhle
Nobuhle stands as a powerful embodiment of strength and resilience. Her gaze is unwavering—ready to defend, to honour, and to lead. Her name, meaning “of beauty,” reflects not only her striking presence but the inner grace that defines her as a spiritual warrior.
Adorned with symbols of her tribal identity, she carries the weight of her ancestors with quiet dignity and deep-rooted pride. Painted in acrylic and ink on canvas, Nobuhle forms part of the Timeless Africa Collection, created for the Timeless Transcendence exhibition. This original work speaks of heritage, strength, and sacred purpose.
Artwork Details:
Medium: Acrylic and Ink on Canvas
Size: 105 x 87.5 cm (Framed)
Edition: Original 1 of 1 painting
Availability: Sold - Enquire About Commissioning a Similar Piece
The Golden Girls
This original painting from the African Queen Art Collection portrays two women adorned in vibrant attire, exuding grace, friendship, and quiet confidence. Using an abstract impressionistic style, Martin Osner blends bold patterns, layered textures, rich colours, and typography to evoke the energy of a modern African celebration.
Their poised forms echo tradition, yet the composition carries a contemporary elegance, honouring the strength of African identity and sisterhood in a festive, uplifting setting.
Artwork Details:
Medium: Paint on Canvas
Size: 57 x 65 cm (Framed)
Edition: Original 1 of 1 painting
Availability: Available
A Legacy in Paint
These original African portraits are not only an artistic tribute but also an invitation to rediscover your creative voice. Each painting blends traditional techniques with contemporary expression—approaches I love sharing with fellow artists.
If you feel inspired to explore your ideas on canvas, consider joining me in Napier for The Art of Painting Breakaway. In this immersive workshop, we’ll spend time in a beautiful village setting, combining practical demonstrations with hands-on guidance. Whether you’re starting fresh or refining your skills, you’ll learn how to develop meaningful artworks that honour your story and vision. Beginners are welcome.
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