Eelke Van Hoof
Netherlands, 29-07-1974
Often my work is being described as spiritual. The term I like to use now is ‘mysterious abstract’. For a lot of people it evokes a sense of otherworldliness, other dimensions or the spirit world. I always try to connect the heavenly and earthly realms by applying both dark and light colours and often using earth materials like sand and clay to ground the work against the more ethereal colour washes.
The element of water plays an important role during my working process because it stimulates the natural flow of energies inside myself and the letting go of control. Oftentimes I let the flow of water decide what the basis of my composition will be. From there on I build up my work in mostly transparent layers always being completely surprised what the end result will be.
‘Art can be an expression of the transformational processes we undergo both through the act of creating as well as experiencing it’
CV
Bio
I am an intuitive, abstract painter hailing from the Netherlands. I am a professional artist since 2004 and started painting a few years after I quit my psychology studies. I started delving deeper into my own psyche and as a result felt the unstoppable need to paint. For two and a half years I followed masterclasses given by Bob Tomanovic. There I learned different painting techniques with the emphasis on water mixable oil paint.
In 2004 I started teaching painting courses at the Theo Kappé art school in Valkenswaard. First they were given the name ‘intuitive painting’, later I switched to the name ‘flowpainting’. The latter because of the extensive use of water and the resultant flow.
In 2004 I was granted an art-subsidy (WWIK) by the Dutch government which recognised me as a professional artist and which I received for a maximum time of four years between 2005-2010. In this period I build up my professional career as an artist and exhibited my work in both The Netherlands as well as abroad (New Zealand, Belgium and the Biennale of India).
Solo Exhibitions
Exhibition at Expo-Podium Orion 22. Date: 27-10-19 Location: Eindhoven.
Exhibition ‘La Sfumatura’ at gallery Ruimte in Beeld. Date: 3-11-19 t/m 8-12-19. Location: Nuenen.
Group Exhibitions
-May 24 to 25th 2025 Soulfusion Kruisruimte, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
-June 9th to 19th 2016 Aviskar 9th International Art Expo Biennale. Kolkata, India.
-November 23rd to January 2nd 2015 Art Expo Den Bosch, The Netherlands
-March 8th to March 27th 2014 Gallery Ton Piepers Weert, The Netherlands
-February 2nd to March 3rd 2013 Bookstore Van Grinsven Geldrop, The Netherlands
-May 18th to June 1st 2007 Alexandra Museum/Art Gallery Alexandra, New Zealand
-March 10th to 19th 2007 Peninsula Chiaroni Studio and Gallery Uppeprecinct, Old Cromwell Town, Nieuw Zeeland
-February 23rd to March 5th 2007 Bellamy’s Gallery Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, Nieuw Zeeland.
-January 11th to February 4th 2007 Gallery De sigarenfabriek Delft, The Netherlands
-October 31st to December 30th 2006 Gallery Le Garage Eindhoven, The Netherlands
-August 14the to September 28th 2006 Holistisch Centrum Eindhoven, The Netherlands
-May 25th to June 11th 2006 Gallery De sigarenfabriek Delf, The Netherlands
-May 11th to June 5th 2006 Gallery Molenhof Weert, The Netherlands
-March 9th April 6th 2006 Activiteiten centrum De Smeltkroes Maarheeze, The Netherlands
-November 19th to December 18th 2005 Gallery Lijn 3 The Hague, The Netherlands
-November 9th and 10th 2005 Van Nelle factory Rotterdam, The Netherlands
-March 20th to May 31st 2005 Theatre De Kattendans, Bergeyk, The Netherlands
-November 20th to Decemver 19th 2004 Gallery Lijn 3 The Hague, The Netherlands
-April 26th to June 17th 2002 Talens Palet competition Eindhoven, The Netherlands
-September 7th to the 9th 2001 Kunst Event Zuid-Nederland Eindhoven The Netherlands
IN STUDIO
The finishing touch
My studio
CONCEPTS & MORE
Starting out: letting water and mediums dictate composition
In most cases in the construction of my artwork I use a lot of water and mediums. This helps me let the composition find itself in a way because the fluids invite me to relinquish control. After the first layer has dried, new transparant layers will follow.
Next phase: building in layers with contemplation
In the second phase of the painting process, I work from the easel and try to seek balance between the different parts. By applying glazes of transparant paint the more chaotic movements from the first layer are being toned down and become less visible. The next part is a more contemplative one: sitting in front of the artwork in progress and waiting patiently for clarity as to where the light should be applied.
