Fragile Painting

Karin Vermeer is an independent artist who has lived in Rotterdam since 1990. Born in Tilburg in 1970, she developed a passion for fashion during her school years, ultimately leading her to the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. There, she earned her degree in Illustration in 1994. After working as a freelance illustrator and decorator for several years, Karin wanted to reinvent herself as an independent artist, channelling her creativity into vibrant paintings and captivating murals. Her artistic journey began with commissioned pieces for interior stores and hotels. Over time, she ventured into pop art and portrait painting, creating digital designs that would be transformed into physical paintings. This innovative blend marked the birth of her early mixed media works and laid the foundation for her distinctive current style. Fashion and female portraits have always been central to Karin’s artistic pursuits. Her fascination with fashion magazines as a child fueled her creative vision, as she was enchanted by striking images of models while also disturbed by the unrealistic alterations often applied. This complex relationship inspired her to explore the blending of photography with digital and manual techniques, allowing her to create a unique dialogue between perception and reality. Karin’s artwork emerges from this digital fusion, creating new visual experiences. Initially recognised for her compelling portraits, she has since expanded her oeuvre to include abstract works and landscapes, all crafted using similar techniques. Her portraits are produced in limited editions of no more than 25 pieces, while her abstract and landscape paintings are one-of-a-kind, showcasing intricate detail and depth. She always starts with a digital design, and once they are finalised, she carefully prints and adheres them to canvas, using the print as an underpainting. Karin then enhances these foundations with thick layers of gel medium, applying rich colours with acrylics, oil paints, oil bars, and chrome paints. Her choice of tools—brushes, sponges, palette knives, rollers, and even her fingers—adds texture and relief to her pieces. The final touch is a satin, UV-resistant varnish that protects and enriches her art. As a thriving artist for nearly 25 years, Karin has sold her work worldwide through online platforms, exhibitions, fairs and galleries.