Strength elephant head - Renate van Nijen Print

I am a Dutch artist and writer living in southern Spain. I create oil and acrylic paintings, ceramic statues and have so far published six books, each of which has one of my paintings on the cover. I like to inspire people and it is so nice when clients feel that my art actually makes a difference because it helps create a nice atmosphere in their home or workplace. I have had many exhibitions of my work in places including Paris, Rome and Amsterdam. My work has been purchased by clients from Moscow to New York. YOU CAN READ MY ARTIST STATEMENT HERE: I don't use live models, but am inspired by coincidentally passing people altered into models. Each work a story and each story an artwork in itself which not necessarily has to be recognised by the viewer. I like people to recognise their own story in my artwork so that it can blend in with their lives. I work intuitively and like to share my personal emotions without wanting to be intrusive. My vision as an artist for the future: The style of my paintings will not change that much but I feel I am moving in a different direction. I don't paint because I need to but because I have to. I don't use models but I depict (mostly) the female figure in my work. I don't plan my work... I sit down in front of an empty canvas and simply start, allowing my hands to create a rapid initial sketch of a vague idea I have in my head, just allowing the flow of whatever wants to be on the canvas to come out. My paintings are built up in stages and I like to create an abstract feel through pallet knife touches. These abstract touches and the mixing of colours directly on the canvas create a fascinating experience for me as the artist as well as an experience for the viewer who might be captured by the energy the colours and images emanate. Although I don't intend to include a particular message my emotions are encapsulated within the artwork- I like to work in series and since I have been living in Andalusia in southern Spain, famous for the spanish flamenco music and dance, flamenco dancers started to appear in my work. I call them flamenco with a twist as they usually don't dance and evoke a story of mystery and sensuality.When you check out my collections you will get to know me as an artist and discover my art journey. Many years ago a red moon started appearing in my work, the red moon was a symbol of Isis, the Goddess of female intuïtion and creativity.