Ilse deVilliers was born in Durban and grew up in the picturesque, tree lined city of Pietermaritzburg in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. She currently lives in the district of Tzaneen (Limpopo Province) surrounded by the most beautiful green hills and valleys. This is also not far from the Kruger National Park, where wildlife thrives in their natural habitat. Her paintwork began as an inspiration of her inherent passion to draw the beauty of God's creation closer to man and to portray animals so true to life that the viewer is left spellbound.
Through the use of acrylic on canvas, she creates a new world by skillfully harmonizing wild animals into a natural colourful reality. The meticulous detail of her paintwork and "zoomed in" appearance are main elements of her style. She specializes particularly in painting the "Big Five" as well as zebra and antelope.