Contrast brings color to our lives

This goes for my artistic work as well as my character. I create imaginative representations of natural landscapes. During the painting process a natural splendor is being created, which on the other hand can also feel threatening. In my work I offer a way out for this threat.

The continuous playing with contrasts is what is essential to my work:

- Light and Dark

- Safe and Unsafe

- Fantasy and Realism

- Friendly and Menacing

- Certain and Uncertain

Contrast is what makes us develop and grow.

Light is born out of darkness.

There is no understanding of happiness without the experience of unhappiness.

Contrast gives perspective; A new perspective.

Contrast is at the core of big changes and development.

Contrasts creates and makes.

Contrast is what makes life interesting.

Place yourself in this world of contrasts, to feel its energy and come to appreciate it.

Give meaning to the fantasy of my work, the space that is left open for interpretation, by connecting your own experiences and emotions to it. This is how, together, we create comfort, peace and liberation.

Working with contrast

When I paint I use cardboard or very fine cotton. I use acrylic paint and water. I start painting spontaneously and at the right moment I use a thick brush and a lot of water over the paint to blend it together, on one place more than the other. I repeat this process to add some layers. I use all kinds of green, blue, black and grey colours but also light and darkness to add depth to my work. This process ends when I feel that the result is a good environment for the geometrical object to be placed in.

The following three contrasts are very important in my work: the game of light and darkness, manmade sharp forms and a whimsical, fantastical nature and graphical reality towards a picturesque, spherical world.

You won’t find any human figures in my paintings. I want spectators to step into my work and imagine that they are really in there. It might even give the viewer a sad feeling or he /she might feel lost, but also relieved because there is this little place where you can hide and be safe. In fact the viewer becomes the person that is missing in my work. And this is how emotions appear.

Chantal at Instagram

CV

Kunstacademie Haarlem Leiden (2015-2019), completed cum laude.

Associazione Dante Alighieri Den Haag-Leiden, corsi Italiani, livello C1, education finished.

University of Utrecht: English Language and Literature ( 1979 – 1986), graduated.

EXHIBITIONS

2024 Knokke Art Fair - Knokke-Heist, August 10 - 18

2024 Affordable Art Fair - Hampstead, May 8 - 12

2024 Affordable Art Fair - Berlin, April 10 - 14

2024 Affordable Art Fair - Brussels, February 7 - 11

2023 Affordable Art Fair - Amsterdam, November 1 - 5

2023 Affordable Art Fair - Stockholm, October 4 - 8

2023 Affordable Art Fair - Brussels, February 8 - 12

2022 RED DOT Miami, November 29 - December 4

2022 Affordable Art Fair - New York Fall, September 22 - 25

2022 Art Market Hamptons, Bridgehampton, August 11 - 14

2022 Collective Exhibition Agora Gallery in New York, May 3 - 24

2019 Shared Exhibition Art Academy Haarlem Leiden, June, Haarlem