Moving from corporate life to the world of art may seem like a giant leap, but for Ballito-based artist Hayley Lombard it was a natural evolution. Once an accountant in Canada, Hayley has now found her true calling in the vibrant, creative community on the North Coast, where she’s turning blank canvases into beautiful works of art.
FROM NUMBERS TO PAINTBRUSHES
Hayley’s art journey began over a cup of coffee with a friend who knew her well. “She just looked at me and said, ‘You’re so creative – you need to do something with it!’” Those words struck a chord, and soon after, she found herself searching for an outlet to express her creativity.
She decided to join an art class with Durban-based artist Pascale Chandler. The first class was nothing short of comical. “I rocked up with a canvas so big I had to get it delivered!” she laughs. Despite the size of her canvas, or perhaps because of it, Hayley was hooked.
BREAKING FREE FROM PERFECTIONISM
For someone used to the strict precision of accounting, learning to loosen up and let go was a big challenge. “At first, my accounting brain took over. I was trying to make everything perfect,” she admits. But Pascale’s approach was simple yet transformative: “Throw paint on it!” she instructed. And that’s exactly what Hayley did.
That moment unlocked something in Hayley, and from then on, art became her personal escape. “I loved that there was no right or wrong. I didn’t have to be anything – just me, enjoying the process.”
A CREATIVE URGE
Initially, Hayley’s art was just for her home, a fun project to fill blank walls with colour. But word quickly spread. Friends and family began asking if they could buy her pieces, which she found both flattering and a little funny. “I’d laugh it off, like, ‘Oh, you’re sweet!’ But then people kept asking!” Umhlanga-based fashion designer Dawn Macnab approached her to collaborate on an event, and soon after, she was asked to exhibit at The Gallery in Ballito. “It was surreal!” she says. And just like that, Hayley’s art career started to blossom.
A CREATIVE COMMUNITY
Hayley’s art has now taken her beyond her wildest dreams. Not only is her work on walls around South Africa, but it has also made its way into homes in the USA, Canada, the UK, and beyond. “It’s crazy! I love that something from Ballito is out there, all over the world.”
But for Hayley, it’s not just about selling art. “The best part is how it connects people,” she says. “I love hearing what my work means to others, how it reminds them of special moments or evokes a feeling. It’s those connections that make this so rewarding.”
MORE FUN, LESS PRESSURE!
With her work gaining momentum, Hayley is ready to embrace whatever comes next, whether that’s pop-up exhibitions, collaborations or even more international exposure. “I’m just going with the flow,” she says with a smile. “It’s all happened so naturally, so I’m excited to see where this adventure takes me.”
Details: IG: @_hayleylombard_art
Text: Jennifer Campbell Images: Light & Lark Photography
