Surfski Artist – Tom Schilperoort

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Monday, 16 August 2010  |  Written by Rob Mousley

Tom Schilperoort - Artist and Paddler

Industrial Designer or Artist? (Or both!)

Tom recently qualified from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology with a degree in Industrial Design, but the 23 year old has decided to pursue his dream of competing on as many surfski events on the World Tour as possible – an ambition that doesn’t exactly  blend well with a career in Design Engineering!

Happily he has another asset to draw upon – his talents as an artist.

Tom Schilperoort - paddling artist

“Not many people realise that I paint but being creative is in my blood,” he said. “I come from a family of designers and artists which stretches back many generations. Painting for me started when I was probably 3 or 4, I suppose. On holiday trips my grandfather, also an artist, would teach me the basic painting techniques and try to refine my raw creative talents. Since then it’s my ‘oupa’ and dad who are my greatest mentors and critics.”

There has been a keen international interest in Tom’s pieces, and a number of his previous works have been sold to international customers.

Paddling and Painting

Most of Tom’s inspiration comes from the sea, where he spends so much time and this is reflected in his unique style of painting. “I was born in Johannesburg, an inland city in South Africa. When I was a year or so old my parents decided to move to the coast so that my brother and I could grow up with a coastal lifestyle. It turned out to be a good decision because I spend every day of my life in the ocean these days. I’m particularly passionate about surfski paddling. I started paddling surfskis when I was a junior lifesaver at Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club. I’ve travelled the world with the sport since then and it’s something I hope to continue doing for a while to come.”

He divides his day between training hard and painting.  The two activities complement each other well,   the high intensity training balanced by calm, relaxed, periods in the art studio.

Exhibition and Auction

• Date: 20 August, 2010
• Place: Island Style Cottage, 34 Peak Road, Fish Hoek
• Time: 2pm onwards

"American Style Auction (Confidential Bids)"

All works will be sold on auction by means of a sealed bid to help fund Tom’s travels to International Surf Ski events in Mauritius, Hong Kong and Dubai later this year.

The artwork will be available for viewing on his website a few days before the opening of the exhibition: http://tomschilperoort.wordpress.com/

International viewers can bid on paintings by emailing Tom with the lot number of the painting, displayed on his website.

All those interested in attending the exhibition should contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For any further information, phone Tom on +27 76 024 1960