Ilse Kleyn was born on 29 October 1971 in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. Her father served as a policeman and her mother worked as a hairdresser.

When she was still a young girl, her father was promoted and the family relocated to Barkly East, where he headed the Stock Theft Unit. It was there that Ilse entered and won her first art competition—an experience that sparked her lifelong love for art. Sadly, her parents later divorced, and Ilse returned with her mother and brother to Vanderbijlpark, where she completed her schooling.

Although Ilse dreamed of studying art, her father encouraged her to pursue a more stable career. In 1990 she joined the South African Police in Pretoria, working as a police artist. Her duties included drawing wanted criminals, creating sketches of stolen property, and designing posters and pamphlets. After two years, she transferred to Cape Town, where she continued her work with ID Kitt. It was in Cape Town that she met her future husband, started a family, and completed her Police Diploma. Over the course of her 16-year career, she rose to the rank of Captain and served in specialized units, including the Diamond and Gold Unit as well as the Occult-Related Crimes Unit.

As her children grew older, Ilse found time to revisit her passion for painting. What began with decorating family homes soon attracted outside interest, and strangers started requesting her artwork. Recognizing her talent, her husband presented her work to galleries, where it was warmly received.

By 2006, the demand for her paintings had grown so significantly that Ilse made the bold decision to leave the police force and pursue art full-time. That first year, she sold an impressive 103 paintings. With God’s guidance, she was able to show her earthly father that following one’s true calling can be both fulfilling and sustainable.

Though Ilse has no formal art training, her work has flourished, and in 2020 she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Theology—further deepening her creative and spiritual journey.

Follow her work on Instagram (@IlseKleyn) and Face Book (Art of Kleyn)