Artist Development Programme
Reconnect with your painting practice and grow as an artist with tailored, one-on-one guidance. The Artist Mentorship Programme are ideal for artists looking to explore new directions, deepen their practice, and build confidence. Whether you’re returning to painting or ready to refine your approach, the programme is designed around your individual goals.
1. Correspondence Mentorship (Remote) $980
Format: Weekly personalised guidance via email, WhatsApp, Messenger, or Zoom, with optional phone sessions (30–60 minutes).
This program is fully online, flexible, and process-led, helping you explore, refine, and develop confidence in your painting - from your own space.
What to expect:
Weekly personalised guidance via your preferred platform
Submit images of your work and reflections; receive detailed feedback, exercises, and suggestions
Optional check-ins via phone, WhatsApp, Messenger, or Zoom for discussion, demonstration, and Q&A
Artist Development Notes — guidance on writing an artist statement, approaching galleries, and planning next steps
Builds on mentoring experience developed through Creative Compass, co-founded by Santie Cronje (Deciduus) and Vicki Fox (Quirky Fox)
Integrates both technical painting support and professional development
Optional online exhibition of work developed during the programme, presented through the Deciduus platform
About the Mentor
Santie Cronje is an exhibiting, professional artist and founder of Deciduus Gallery, bringing a unique perspective to mentoring that blends hands-on artistic practice with insight into the gallery world.
Santie has mentored numerous artists through Creative Compass, co-founded with Vicki Fox (Quirky Fox), providing practical guidance and feedback for artists across New Zealand. Her mentoring draws on nearly 20 years of combined experience in the visual arts, guiding artists to grow technically, creatively, and professionally.
Through the Artist Development Programmes, Santie integrates:
Technical painting support — exploring expressionism, abstraction, tonal work, and personal style
Professional development — mentoring on portfolio development, gallery engagement, and confidence-building
Exhibition experience — guidance and opportunities to present work online and in-gallery
Kind words
A few words from artists I’ve had the privilege of working with.
“Santie has been the most subtle and effective coach, curator, and friend I could have asked for. I feel incredibly lucky to have found her in my early days as a hobbyist — she continues to guide me with care and clarity as my practice grows.”
— Mila Renault (guidance via correspondence and in-person mentoring)
“I can’t thank you enough for the support and gentle guidance you’ve given me. I credit it with jump-starting my painting career.”
— Aida Smith (guidance through the gallery process, and exhibitions)
“Working with Santie has been fantastic and a real joy. She is a warm, generous, and skilled artist who offers thoughtful, considered guidance in every session. My experience with her has spanned correspondence, in-person mentoring, and guidance through the gallery process, and in all cases her first priority is to foster and encourage my own unique art style.
Drawing on decades of experience, she delivers these ‘pearls of wisdom’ in a friendly, respectful, and fun manner. I have always felt confident and relaxed while working with her, and without fail, I end each session feeling inspired, motivated, and excited to return to my own studio to practice the techniques I’ve learned.
I look forward to many more opportunities to work with Santie — she is one of those gifted artists who shares her knowledge with confidence and joy, always focused on encouraging others in their artistic endeavors.”
— Diane Parker (in-person review)
How the Programmes Work
All programmes consist of one-on-one sessions, allowing flexibility if needed. Before we begin, I take the time to understand where you are in your practice and what you’re hoping to explore. Each session is custom-designed, evolving as your work develops.
The programme moves gently through phases of:
Grounding and direction
Exploration and experimentation
Refinement and resolution
This structure provides support while allowing space for your own pace and process.
Enquiry
If you feel this programme aligns with where you are in your painting practice, you’re warmly invited to get in touch via the contact form below.
You’re welcome to briefly share:
your current experience
what you’re hoping to explore or shift
which programme you’re drawn to
Places are limited, and sessions are offered on a one-on-one basis.
