‘I’ll paint with coffee if I have to. I’ll paint with curry if I have to. I’ll paint with leaves if I have to…’
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (24 September 2025) — South Africa’s Ricollin Moodley has been under the spotlight often with his incredible portraits of SA’s icons like Siya Kolisi and Tyla. He does it all with lipstick and other unusual mediums!
This week, though, he shared the story of how it all began. We now have even more respect for this young man who made a way when there seemed to be none.
In a video he posted, Ricollin takes us back to his childhood, when money was tight, his mom was unwell, and his dad’s salary barely stretched to rent. Faced with the harsh reality that there wasn’t always food on the table, Ricollin decided he had to try something. Anything. So he relied on his gifts.
He picked up a pencil and started drawing on the beach, hoping someone would notice.
What followed is the kind of story that inspires you. One where love and commitment shine through every hurdle.
When art supplies ran out, he has improvised. He’s painted with coffee. He’s painted with curry. He’s painted with bleach. He’s painted with lipgloss, nail polish and lipstick. He’s painted with food colouring. He’s painted with turmeric. He’s painted with sand. He’s painted on leaves and sculpted with cardboard.
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Art has no limitations for Ricollin.
What began as survival quickly grew into a one-of-a-kind style that sets him apart from other local artists. We’ve shared his journey before – how his portraits of Springbok heroes and South African stars have gone viral, and how he’s ventured beyond canvas too.
But this glimpse into his early days tells a deep story about family and about refusing to give up.
Don’t limit yourself to thinking there is no way forward with what you’ve got. There always is.
Watch the story of Ricollin’s journey below:
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You can keep up with his artwork here.
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