Finding the real soul of beauty

Born in Antwerp on December 9, 1950, Maggy loved to draw from her early youth. At the age of 12, she moved with her family to Germany, where an elderly lady introduced her to the classical techniques of oil painting. Four years later, she returned to Antwerp to pursue Higher Art Studies at the Saint-Maria Art Humanities, exploring everything from ceramics and graphics to fashion design.

After graduation, she worked in marketing but quickly realized that the commercial priorities and competition had little to do with real Art. Following her heart, she furthered her studies at the Art Academy in Schoten and set up her first studio in the attic of her family home. In 1974, she married Carlo Schots, accompanying him on business trips to Sweden where she drew the ancient city in Chinese ink.

After taking a break to raise their three sons, Maggy fully returned to her passion in the 1990s. She joined "Atelier Van Nispen," focusing on live models, and later "The Forgotten Artist" in Boechout, with the pure intention of becoming one with nature. She loves plein air painting, as it deepens her connection with people. Her delicate work uniquely blends love, beauty, and sadness, with an extraordinary eye for the smallest details.

"To paint from the heart, not as a spectator, and encounter the real soul of beauty in poverty and contrasts."

In 2000, Maggy and her husband moved to South Africa. Settling in Swellendam, she deeply immersed herself in community development. She painted themes from the local 'Railton' township, fascinated by the body language of the locals—a mix of extreme hardship and primary purity. Her palette shifted to brighter colors, maintaining an unusual delicate transparency. Alongside pianist Sylvia Traey, she organized deeply touching art workshops for youth in schools, convents, and even prisons.

Returning to Belgium, Maggy settled in Mortsel. She now paints from her own studio, continuing her artistic journey with the same joyful passion and dedicating herself to local art projects and exhibitions.