This month’s guest artist, Carike van der Westhuizen, gives Scarlet the low-down on her saucy images

Carike, 33, is from South Africa but has been living in the UK for eight years. After studying at the Tygerberg Art School near Cape Town she moved to the bohemian seaside town of Hermanus, where she met an accomplished local sculptor and was inspired by his sensual work to start drawing nudes, particularly women and couples. She soon found herself making enticing fantasy-friendly images that emphasised bodies over faces. After a few years of painting semi-professionally in South Africa, Carike decided to pack up her sketch books and see the world, and she’s never looked back. Carike works largely in charcoal, which she calls a “sexy medium” because of its messiness, but she also likes to play with the colours available in acrylic and oil paints. Here she tells us more about her sexy side…

What would you say is the inspiration for your artwork?
Definitely my love of the human body. Art enables me to express what I think is sensual.

Who would you most like to model naked for you?
Hmm… So many people, so little time!

What effect do you ultimately want your work to have on Cliterature readers?
I would hope my work stimulates thought; be it fantasy, understanding an article better or just plain lust.

What’s the sexiest first experience you’ve ever had?
The ‘sexiest’ and ‘first sexual experience’ are two entirely different issues. My first sexual experience was downing half a bottle of whisky and fumbling about in a confessional with Father Michael (he was only 21 and I was 16). It was sexier in hindsight. The sexiest experience I’ve ever had was probably behind a waterfall on a mossy cushion, feeling totally feral.

What’s the last thing you fantasised about?
A threesome with a hot guy I recently met and his wife.

If you were going to illustrate yourself in any sexy situation, what would it be?
Me in a sheer, black nightie and fourinch black stilettos, sprawled out on my back on a round bed of red velvet.

What three things could you not live without?
My computer, my mobile phone and my Rabbit.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
There are two actually: go after your dreams and live with no regrets; and respect your ‘oneness’, resist any pressure to be a conformist and simply be the being you came here to be.

Cliterature’s often seen as a controversial publication. What made you want to get into bed with us?
I enjoy pushing the envelope and embracing my creative side; and nothing is more fun than a full bed.