Conrad Theys was born in Montagu in the Little Karoo in 1940. He grew up in Loeriesfontein in the North-Western Cape and matriculated from the Northern Paarl High School. In 1961, he completed his studies as a teacher at the Brighton College, Oudtshoorn. During 1969 and 1970 he studied art under the well-known artists, Gregoire Boonzaaier, and in 1974 embarked on a full-time career as an artist. In 1981 and 1982, he also studied graphic art under Edwine Simon at the Ruth Prowse School of Art in Cape Town.

The collections that feature his works include (national and international):

SABC ART collection

National Art Museum, Botswana

Life Grow Art Collection

Rand Merchant Bank

In 1996 he was elected President of South Africa Art Society (National)