Kemp holds a Commercial Art Diploma from INTEC College, Cape Town, and a BA degree from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. She took classes in commercial art and painting (acrylics and watercolors), but teaching art as a school subject, copying of the works of the Old Masters, invaluable constructive feedback from fellow-artists, constant experimenting, and lots of portrait work constitute the bigger part of her learning and growth as an artist. Kemp taught graphic design, painting and sculpture for 5 years up to matric level on the West Coast (South Africa) at the Lientjie Blok Art Centre at Vredenburg. Her subjects range from still lives, realistic landscapes, portraits and seascapes to imaginary scenes and dreamscapes. Her portraits are done in pastels, oils, charcoal or pencil, from life or from photographs. Kemp has exhibited at king George Gallery, Port Elizabeth, the Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein, Bloemfontein, Jeffreys Bay, Rust & Vrede Gallery, Durbanville, Die Ateljee, Piketberg, Western Cape, and Johan Smith Art Gallery, Clarens, among others.
Her wildlife subjects are mostly from photographs. She works in conjunction with Jackie During who’s her fellow-artist and photographer. She does commissioned copies of paintings of Thomas Gainsborough, Gustav Klimt, and John William Waterhouse, and other Old Masters. Her sculpture works include papier maché, ceramics and assemblages that comprise plastic, ceramics, found materials, natural materials, and hardware products and materials. Kemp is also a language practitioner. This versatile and multi-talented artist also works as a portraitist, copywriter, translator, cartoonist, journalist, and book illustrator. She’s able to meet strict deadlines as an illustrator.
