Website: https://sjqwatercolour.com
Owner: Stephen J. Quirke
Last updated: 06.11.2026

1. Who We Are

Stephen J. Quirke is a self-employed watercolour artist based in Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa.

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and, where applicable, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

For the purposes of POPIA, Stephen J. Quirke is the responsible party for personal information collected through this website.

Our contact details:

Stephen J. Quirke
34 Bizweni Avenue
Somerset West
Western Cape
South Africa

Email: stephen@sjqwatercolour.com
Website: https://sjqwatercolour.com

If you have questions about this policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact us using the email address above.

2. What Personal Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following personal information:

  • Contact information: Your name and email address when you contact us through the website’s contact form or subscribe to our newsletter.
  • Online shop information: Information necessary to process and fulfil purchases through our WooCommerce online shop. This may include contact, billing, delivery and transaction information, depending on the details you provide during checkout.
  • Payment information: Payment-related information processed through PayFast when you make a purchase. We do not assume responsibility for information collected directly by PayFast under its own privacy arrangements.
  • Technical information: Information such as your IP address, browser type, device information and website usage data may be collected through cookies and Google Analytics.

We do not intentionally collect more personal information than is reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy.

3. Why We Collect and Use Your Information

We use personal information for the following purposes:

  • To respond to enquiries and messages submitted through our contact form.
  • To communicate with customers about purchases and orders.
  • To process payments and arrange the fulfilment of online shop orders.
  • To provide customer support and respond to requests.
  • To send newsletters and other marketing communications where permitted.
  • To understand how visitors use our website and improve its content and functionality through Google Analytics.
  • To maintain website security, prevent misuse and meet applicable legal obligations.

We only use personal information for purposes that are lawful, relevant and compatible with the reasons for which it was collected.

4. Our Lawful Grounds for Processing

Under POPIA, personal information must be processed lawfully and for a specific, legitimate purpose.

Depending on the circumstances, we rely on the following grounds:

  • Consent: Where you voluntarily agree to receive our newsletter or consent to non-essential cookies or other processing requiring consent.
  • Contractual necessity: Where processing is necessary to respond to a purchase request, fulfil an order or take steps requested by you before entering into a contract.
  • Legal obligations: Where we must retain or disclose certain information to comply with applicable legal, accounting or tax requirements.
  • Legitimate interests: Where processing is reasonably necessary for legitimate business purposes, such as responding to enquiries, maintaining website security and improving our website, provided your rights and interests are not overridden.

Where the GDPR applies, we rely on the corresponding lawful bases under Article 6 of that Regulation.

You may withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.

5. Email Marketing and Newsletters

If you subscribe to our newsletter, we may use your name and email address to send you updates, news and information about our artwork and activities.

We use MailerLite to manage our email newsletter subscriptions and communications.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link included in our marketing emails or by contacting us directly at info@sjqwatercolour.com.

We will not continue sending marketing emails after a valid unsubscribe request, except for any essential administrative communications.

We may also maintain a presence on Facebook and Instagram to share artwork, news and updates. If you interact with us through these platforms, your information will also be subject to the privacy policies of the relevant platform providers.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

6. Sharing Your Personal Information

We do not sell, rent or trade personal information.

However, we may share information with trusted third-party service providers where necessary to operate our website and business.

These providers include:

  • Google Analytics: Helps us understand website traffic and visitor behaviour.
  • WooCommerce: Provides the online shop functionality through which orders are submitted and managed.
  • PayFast: Processes online payments and related transaction information.
  • MailerLite: Manages newsletter subscriptions and email communications.
  • Facebook and Instagram: Provide social media platforms through which we communicate and share content.

These providers may process personal information on our behalf or independently in accordance with their own privacy terms, depending on the service and circumstances.

We may also disclose information where required by law, regulation or a valid legal request.

7. International Transfers of Personal Information

Some of our service providers, including Google Analytics, PayFast and MailerLite, may process or store personal information outside South Africa.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that the transfer is permitted under applicable data protection legislation.

Under POPIA, international transfers must satisfy the requirements of Section 72. Where the GDPR applies, transfers must also comply with Chapter V, including the applicable requirements for adequate protection or appropriate safeguards.

8. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality and understand how visitors use the site.

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website.

We use Google Analytics to collect information about website usage, such as pages visited and general visitor interactions. This information helps us understand how the website performs and how it can be improved.

Some cookies may be necessary for the website or online shop to function correctly. Other cookies, including analytics or advertising-related technologies where used, may require your consent depending on applicable law.

Our website has a cookie consent mechanism installed. Your available choices and the operation of that mechanism determine how non-essential cookies and similar technologies are handled.

You can also manage or delete cookies through your browser settings. Blocking certain cookies may affect some website functionality.

For further information about Google’s data practices, please consult Google’s privacy information.

9. How We Protect Your Information

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure.

These measures may include appropriate website security controls, access restrictions and the use of reputable third-party service providers.

However, no website, electronic transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

If a security incident involving personal information occurs, we will take appropriate steps in accordance with applicable legal requirements, including notification where required.

10. How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law.

For example:

  • Contact enquiries are retained for as long as reasonably necessary to deal with the enquiry and any related follow-up.
  • Customer and transaction records may be retained for the periods required by applicable accounting, tax and other legal obligations.
  • Newsletter information is retained while you remain subscribed, subject to any necessary records of consent or unsubscribe requests.
  • Analytics information is retained according to the applicable Google Analytics configuration.

When information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to delete it or securely dispose of it.

11. Your Privacy Rights

Under POPIA, you have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:

  • Request access to personal information we hold about you.
  • Request correction or deletion of inaccurate, incomplete or unlawfully retained information.
  • Object to certain types of processing.
  • Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
  • Object to direct marketing communications.
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

Where the GDPR applies, you may also have additional rights, including the right to data portability, restriction of processing and erasure, subject to the conditions and exceptions provided by law.

To exercise your rights, please email info@sjqwatercolour.com. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

We will handle requests within the timeframes required by applicable legislation.

12. Children’s Privacy

Our website and online shop are not specifically directed at children.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without the legally required consent or authorisation.

If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us unlawfully, please contact us so that we can investigate and take appropriate action.

13. Complaints and Regulatory Authorities

If you are unhappy with how we handle your personal information, please contact us first at:

info@sjqwatercolour.com

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority.

In South Africa, this is the Information Regulator:

Website: https://inforegulator.org.za/

Email: inforegulator@justice.gov.za

Where the GDPR applies, you may also lodge a complaint with the data protection supervisory authority in the EU or EEA country where you live, work or believe an infringement has occurred.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy & Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our business, website functionality, service providers or applicable legislation.

Any changes will be published on this page, together with an updated revision date, at the top of this page.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to remain informed about how we protect your personal information.