Marisa du Toit

Marisa Anique Muller- du Toit was born in a small town on the East Rand of Gauteng, Springs, South Africa 1976, she grew up in a very creative environment, in the theatre and on stage, in front of the cameras and as a professional dancer achieving some accolades and rewards along the way. 

She decided it was time to kick of her dancing shoes in 1998 and try something different. Her passion for being creative was something she had always practiced in some way… although somewhat unfamiliar with "art" it was the road less travelled, and it seemed exciting.  
She found that she could finally disconnect from the hectic dance lifestyle that didn’t comfort her need for expression anymore.  She took on the tricky process to break into the creative world of visual arts. 
After travelling, working and living in England in 2004, Marisa went back to South Africa, to finally settle and marry her fiancé and high school sweetheart, Conrad du Toit in 2005.  Settling was never a word that could take easy residence without a fight, and they decided to move to Dubai in 2006. 
Trying to stay focused on breaking into the art market, Marisa started to paint for a local market in the UAE.
Then her first child was born in 2007, and the paintbrushes had to be put on the shelf for a while.  After taking some time to adjust to the new addition to the family she slowly got back into practice. She had the privilege to exhibit in different galleries and markets throughout the UAE.   
In April of 2009 they arrived back in S.A. 

The path has been a winding one with fine art catapulting her illustrations into the forefront.  Doing some freelance work for a local magazine it opened other doors for illustrating opportunities. 

Her first children's book contract was signed in 2015 and she has never looked back. 

Every commission opportunity is a chance to grow and learn more.  It is a never-ending process of studying, grow and flow for her as she would love to believe. She has a story of her own in the pipeline, as well as a freelance position for educational illustrations that keeps her afloat. 

She currently resides with her husband in the Free State and homeschools her two daughters, two Weimaraner doggies, two cats, one tarantula and a bearded dragon.  
Marisa says: “I am so extremely thankful to be able to do what I so passionately love to do, and I have been blessed beyond my expectations in regard to my work, all the glory to our Heavenly Father, YHWH God.”