Marie Jose Leenders

The greatest theme in my work is the human being. It remains an endless challenge for me to depict a person in a few lines and patches. In each and every person it is the psyche, the mind which gives expression and character to every movement, to each gesture.
I see the model and feel if the tip of the brush is caressing the model.
I follow the contours as they touch me and feel how the brush goes up and down. I paint with my eyes focussed on the model.
At the places where I perceive a strong contrast, I press harder. I work from heavy broad lines to thin lines by turning the brush. The ink is absorbed instantaneously. Nothing can be removed. It's like writing calligraphy.

This is sumi-e, inkpainting.
In sumi-e the spirit of Zen can be felt. The world is expressed in a language that is restricted as much as possible, to the most essential elements. Less is more. Sumi-e is the beauty which is achieved with a minimum of means, it is the amazement about the stroke of a brush, the nuances of a patch. Sumi-e is not working for the results, but painting because of the pleasure of painting. Most of it fail, But sometimes everything comes together and the lines start singing.


Watching art has always been a great source of in...

Exhibitions a selection

2020 The Art Fair, The great Church, Naarden
Gallery Terra, Delft
2019 The Art Fair The great Church, Naarden
2018. The Art Room van Heijningen, the Haque
The Art Fair, The great Church, Naarden
2017. The Art Fair The great Church, Naarden
2016. The Art Room van Heijningen, The Haque
The Art Fair The great Church, Naarden
2015 The Art Fair, The great Church, Naarden
2014, The Art Room van Heijningen, the Haque
2012 Gallery the Salon, Amsterdam
2011, The Art Room van Heijningen, the Haque
2009 The Regthuys, Nieuwkoop
2008 Gallery the Salon, Amsterdam
2007 The Art Room van Heijningen, the Haque
2006 The City Gallery, Woudrichem
2005 The Art Room van Heijningen, the Haque
2004 Gallery the Salon, Amsterdam
2003 The City Gallery, Woudrichem
2003 Holland art fair, the Haque
2003 The Warehouse, Harlingen
2002 The Art Room van Heijningen, The Haque
2001 The City gallery, Woudrichem
2000 Gallery Molenaars, Breda
1998 Gallery Laerken, Hazerswoude
1997 Gallery Arto Imago, Uden
1996 Gallery Dante, Amsterdam
1993 Gallery van Aerts, Vessem
1992 The Orangery, 's-Hertogenbosch
1991 Galle...