Antoinette Lassen | 20 Women, 20 Stories Women’s Portrait Campaign Experience

Antoinette Lassen

Artist + Creative Director

 

Where are you from, and where have you currently settled? 

I was born in Cape Town and have lived here my entire life.

 

3 words that your friends would use to describe you? 

Fun, happy, and caring.

 

What is your big, audacious dream? (that sometimes keeps you awake at night) If you are already living it, please share. 

Having my own art cafe! I would also love to travel the world. I resigned from a 26-year career in corporate last year and have taken my side hustle full-time.

I run mobile art workshops, paint and sip style, across Cape Town, bringing the art and wine to you.

 

Can you share how your journey in your current career began, and what drew you to it? 

I have always been creative but found myself a little stuck doing the 9-5. When I turned 40, I started to panic a little.

I realised that I was most likely at the halfway mark of life (if I was lucky), and I had not achieved the things I wanted to. Travel to beautiful places, wake up in the morning and be creative,

not feel stressed and anxious waiting for all those emails to land in my inbox, be in a beautiful relationship where I can just be myself and feel free and safe.

So I started to make some changes.

I am now 50. I have taken my side hustle full-time.

I have always loved to teach.

I am a qualified foundation phase teacher.

So I combined my love for painting and creativity with my teaching skills.

I believe everyone is creative. It gets buried by so many of the stresses of life.

I want everyone to feel the pleasure and freedom of bringing their creativity out and amaze themselves with what they can do!

 

We all have different versions of what success means to us. What does success look and feel like to you? 

Being able to manage my own time. Knowing I can spend time with my children and plan beautiful family time without always having to check in with ‘the powers that be’.

Being here for my daughters and now I am able to go watch the hockey match, help with the homework and be present.

Doing something I love every day and not just when i get the chance and can squeeze it in

Being able to buy the shoes, take the trip, and plan my own time.

Spending my days building a beautiful life with my amazing fiancé, not just when I get back from work, but every day we do exciting things together, building our businesses.

And we do it together. I don’t need to wait until 5 pm.

Not dreading my email inbox!  I now love getting an email, as I know each message and email is building my business, and I get to do exciting projects and fun things along the way!

 

What does your morning routine involve? Please share how you start your day. What is the thing you enjoy doing the most, (not business related and why?) 

I spend 15 minutes chatting to my daughter before she heads off to school.

Then I make coffee and enjoy it in bed with my partner. We chat about how our day looks (each day is different) and what we want to achieve that day.

On the weekends, I love a nice lazy morning and get coffee in bed, and often breakfast too!

 

Is there a woman who stands out to you, who inspires you?

This can be someone in your close circle, or someone you don’t know personally, for example, an author or podcast host, or someone else. 

My Mom. The amount of love she has always displayed is so inspiring. She has the biggest heart, and throughout my life, I have always been there for me no matter what.

I know you said a woman who stands out to me…. But I have to include my Dad in this. If there are 2 people I know, I can call, no matter what, it would be my parents.

 

What is the thing you enjoy doing most (not business related, and why)

Road trips and travel. Taking our gorgeous kids on a holiday. I absolutely love a good road trip. stopping off at places and experiencing new tastes, new people, and new sights.

 

What is a personal mantra or quote that motivates you? 

If thousands of others have done it, then why can’t I?

 

What is one thing you wish more people knew about you?

That I can light a fire with only 1 match! lol!

 

What personality characteristic/s do you love about yourself?

My unselfishness and kindness. When I give, I will give 110% but over the years, I have also learnt where I need to put in boundaries, otherwise I can get hurt.

 

What is your greatest strength, and how has it helped you in your journey? What does self-confidence mean to you, and how have you cultivated it?

Being resourceful and thinking on my feet. Often life throws you those curveballs, and not letting that overwhelm you, and being willing to change course if needed.

 

What are you most proud of, in your business and/or personal life?

I am most proud of my beautiful girls. Their unselfish natures and kind ways and their strength make me so proud.

 

If you could share a piece of business advice for someone starting out, what would it be?

Consistency! You can’t grow a business if you are not willing to show up every day. Some days you will be able to do loads, and some days you will only be able to knock off a few things, but being
consistent and showing up every day will help you grow.

 

What is a piece of advice you would give to your younger self? 

Just keep doing what you are doing and try not to be to harsh on yourself on the struggle days.

 

If you have a website link, please share. 

At the moment, no website but my Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/artwithantoinette

 

How did you feel being photographed? And what feelings emerged when you saw your portraits for the first time? 

I am still here! I have found the me I was always meant to be. An artist. I am still becoming, and it’s so exciting to find and discover who I am.

Hair & Makeup: Donna Hay Hair & Makeup

 

Antoinette planned her ’20 Women, 20 Stories’ portrait shoot to coincide with her 50th birthday month – a celebration of the big five-oh!

What she didn’t know was that I’d secretly contacted her fiancé Grant, via her cousin, Natasha, and arranged for him to surprise her at the studio towards the end of her shoot so that I could take a few photos of them together!  When he called me, when he was outside the studio,

I told Antoinette that it was the courier.  Grant walked in, and the look of absolute joy and surprise was priceless!  It was the perfect end to the session!