whose work is rooted in nature, freedom, and faith. Originally from South Africa and now living in Columbus, Ohio, Esté’s art is a reflection of her spiritual journey—a blend of beauty, mystery, and connection with nature and the Creator.
Her creative journey began in childhood, sculpting clay and winning a global competition at age 12, with her work now permanently housed in Imari, Japan. Growing up in South Africa and traveling through remote parts of the continent, Esté found deep inspiration in the wilderness, sketching what she saw with charcoal and pencil. Nature became both teacher and muse.
Esté Hupp is a mixed media painter, illustrator, and creative mentor
Esté’s painting process is fluid and often spontaneous. Her work is a blend of abstract and realism—often painting nature intertwined with portraits of women symbolizing beauty and free spiritedness.
Each piece begins as a kind of prayer—an invitation to wonder, and to connect with the Creator. For Esté, creating art is an act of worship and a way to listen closely to what God is saying. She believes in the power of beauty to heal, to awaken the spirit, and to draw people back to what is sacred.
Esté dreams of one day opening a larger studio space where she can host workshops, retreats, and creative gatherings—welcoming others into a space where art and soul can meet freely. Her vision is to nurture artists, inspire dreamers, and create a movement where creativity and faith intertwine.
Outside of painting, Esté treasures slow mornings with coffee, homeschooling her kids, reading a good book, and cooking South African meals. In all she does, Esté continues to follow her calling: to create beauty that speaks of freedom, of belonging, and of the wild love of God.
After moving to the U.S. and settling down with her husband, Esté explored watercolors, coffee painting, and digital illustration—eventually illustrating several published books and educational materials for Gather Round Homeschool, Quarto Books, Fair Winds Press, and Epiphany Press. But her creative spirit kept calling her deeper, and she found her home in oil painting during her studies at the Milan Art Institute, where she learned old master techniques and layered them with her own wild, intuitive process.
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“Finding God in art and nature”
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“In the beginning, God created…”
As I journey through life following God, I discover immense freedom and endless adventure with Him. Nature is God’s ever inspiring artwork, inviting me closer to Him, offering a sense of permanence and peace. I paint the places where our dreams intertwine, often amidst the splendor of nature.
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