About me

My art stems from the search for my own worth and the desire to let others feel that they belong. I started my creative journey later in life, after my 30s, and found my voice at the kitchen table. My real journey began with the start of the mastery program of Milan art. I am in the middle of this now. As I continue to find my own style, with my work in mixed media and oil paint, I want to capture the soft power of vulnerability and love. My art is an invitation to grow, to dream and to see yourself in your full beauty. It is a way of saying: you are enough. What would you discover if you were to fully embrace yourself?

Bio:

Background

Merel was born in Leidschendam and grew up after her parents divorced. Together with her mother and brother, she moved to Gouda, where she spent her childhood. Every two weeks they went to their father. When her mother met a new partner, he became an important person in her life, both then and now. Later, her father moved to Singapore, where he met a new woman and Merel got a half-sister. They now live in the Netherlands again, not far from her. As a child, Merel was always interested in drawing and crafting, an outlet for her creativity. After her 30th birthday, she decided to take up drawing again, and found it a source of peace and relaxation. This eventually led her to painting, which quickly became a passion. To further develop this passion, she decided to follow the Mastery course at Milan Art. This was an important step in her growth as an artist and led her to realize her dream of becoming a professional artist.

Art and process

Merel’s art stems from a desire to express emotions and feelings in a visual way. Her creative process often starts intuitively, with loose brushstrokes and playing with different materials. She lets her work emerge without worrying too much about the outcome, which helps her to get into the right flow. Only then does she delve deeper into what her feelings tell her and add structure to the work. Merel loves art that offers a double vision, where both literal and figurative depth can be found. She likes to experiment with new materials, and finishes her paintings with oil paint to create depth and a dreamy finish. As she says herself: “For me, art is a mirror of the soul, a way to look deeper at what we often cannot see.”

Studio and future plans

Currently, Merel works from her home, where she lives with her husband and two children. Her workspace is a place of peace and inspiration, but she cherishes the dream of her own studio, a space that allows her to fully immerse herself in her art. In the future, she sees her work exhibited and sold not only in the Netherlands, but all over the world. She also hopes to create a space for workshops, so that others can experience the power of art and start their own creative journey. Merel believes that painting is not only a creative outlet, but also a way to discover and express your own value and potential.