I was born Marian Kruger in Beaufort West in 1972. I went to a high school called Bastiaanse where I passed matric with merit. It was a very great school - I learned there to be something I want to be. I had a lovely teacher and he taught me to be respectful of others so that they would be respectful of me. At the age of 31 I feel I have experienced a lot. Raising two children when I was myself not a grown woman was difficult. I think I was thrown into the deep end of life.

The first time I met Jeni Couzyn was when the Arts Centre was just beginning. I joined a life class and did my first charcoal drawing. Now I'm training to be a manager at the Arts Centre. I'm very excited about the chance to use my brain and have a diploma. When Julia Chamberlain came here she inspired me to become a textile artist. You can expect lots more work from me!