Jan Christiaan van Ruyven
Quote
When the color reaches its greatest richness, the form has its fullness. (Paul Cézanne)
Skill
Abstract and colorful. Acquired through training and practical experiences.
Residence
Europe, France, Urval
Bio
A world full of colours
After a successful career as graphic designer - in which I used my passion for design and colour to translate ideas of a vast and divers group off customers into realistic designs - it was a natural progression to become an artist, more specifically a painter…but now as a free spirit creating and designing something beautiful of my own.
Paint happened to be the perfect medium to express my creativity.
At the start - as an artist -, I kept on the safe side, using my graphic design knowledge in my compositions. I still do have some early paintings clearly exhibiting graphic design elements. It was my anchor on my path to find my own style.
Becoming more confident as an artist, colour in all its values and nuances became more prominent and I used a more abstract style.
What a discovery!
Feeling free to use your own imagination and style and - with that - create a colourful new world through my eyes.
Influences
Living in France “ a la campagne” has definitely helped me to loosen up and to develop as a more confident artist. Nature at your fingertips makes it easy to see the beauty in every day things, especially with the dazzling beauty of the French country side at your doorstep. Imagine the colourful sunset, the beautiful and sometimes heavy and dark clouds, the rich colour transitions of the trees in early autumn and spring, or the River Dordogne - sometimes wild, sometimes very still, with the golden sun reflections. A richness of colours, every time of day different, but always in harmony. During my long walks with my dog I get a lot of inspiration from the beauty of nature and then I cannot wait to return to my easel to create something beautiful.
Work by Jan Christiaan van Ruyven
is defied by the need for complex narratives; he paints not to tell stories but to reflect the innate beauty of the world as seen through the lens of colors and shapes. His motivation lies in the simple pleasure of painting, the transformative process from a blank canvas to a vibrant creation, and the freedom of bringing imagination to life through his brushstrokes. This process, both thrilling and instinctive, culminates in a celebration of the act of creation itself. The end products of van Ruyven’s craft are more than just paintings; they're a colorful and lively interpretation distinct from the sometimes mundane routines of daily life. In sharing his work, he extends an invitation to viewers to step into a space where the visible reality is reimagined, offering a glimpse into a world that resonates with his passion for the beauty that our world offers—expressed boldly and freely on the canvas.
