Meet Abstract Artist Linda Van Bemmelen
Influenced by elements of travels throughout my life, my current work is primarily focused on the architecture within our landscape.
In my abstract paintings the aim is for fluidity, a looseness in the application of the paint, thereby creating an ambiguous intermingling between the natural and the manmade aspects of the environment.
This approach has led me to investigate and ultimately determine the elements that are important and those which can be eliminated without losing all of the recognisable components of the urban landscape.
Abstract Architecture Inspire
For me, even after frequent travel within Australia, Europe and the Pacific, the joy of observing a new place, a new street or a new scene, from a distance never diminishes.
Catching that first glimpse of the architecture that shapes a city or a town is what I engage with thematically. Forms in the modern landscape, unrecognisable yet familiar.
The Constantly Changing Tasmanian Landscape
The incredible beauty of Tasmania, the ever changing landscape and in particular the colours are a constant inspiration for me.
I was born in the Netherlands and from an early age I was inspired and encouraged by family members with creative and artistic talents. Drawing, painting , sewing and creating was part of everyday life.
Inside the Abstract Artist Studio Space
Before I became a full time artist in 2023, I was a massage therapist. I had converted my carport into a light and calming space for my massages.
Now that space has become my art studio.
I absolutely love my room which is separate from the house and has all I need in there.
At the end of the day I close the door and nothing will be disturbed.
Making Abstract Art
I use acrylics these days and am also starting to get my head around encaustic painting.
I used to paint in watercolour when I was traveling a lot.
I’d keep a journal and do small water colour paintings in that.
Now I have the space and my work surfaces are much larger I chose to use acrylics.
The layering, mark making, the textures I can create appeal to me.
Fun with Weekly Workshops
A few years ago I was involved with weekly workshops which were a lot of fun and I really enjoyed doing them.
My friend and I had a different theme every week and the classes varied from painting to sculpture to ink drawings to work with string and wool and basket making.
Due to COVID, and a few other issues, we had to stop the classes which was a real shame.
I enjoyed having artists together for inspiration and encouragement.
The Power of Art School
To get work out there, to share and get inspired by other people. Learning new skills. Those are the things I miss and used to love about art school. To be surrounded by creatives is such a thrill.
Making Art the Priority and Exhibiting
From seeing my art as a hobby and just not having the time to be a full time artist I have now come to the stage in life ( I recently turned 60) where I have to give it my all, if now then when?
I started this year with a solo exhibition which is still running until the end of February. I am super proud of the paintings I have created for this exhibition and it felt like a great achievement to see them all together.
I have also sold a few works last year and that is the encouragement and push I needed to consider art as my career.
The Importance of a Sketching Journal for an Abstract Artist
It absolutely is. I love drawing outside and taking in the environment.
I might only use these sketches as a form of mark making and identifying interesting forms rather than creating realistic paintings from them, I see drawing in nature as training the eye for composition, picking and choosing elements that resonate with me and I can use later in my studio
Unleashing Your Creative Potential Within Supportive Arts and Crafts Groups
How to unleash your creative potential within the welcoming and supportive community of arts and crafts groups and flourish creatively wherever you are.
Sources of Inspiration for an Abstract Artist
Travel inspires me. Buildings from afar, factories from a distant .
When you first approach a city, a town, a structure in the landscape. What jumps out at me, what do I recognise.
How does this approach to a different, new place make me feel?
The Importance of Entering Exhibitions
You have to put in the work. You have to be organised, professional and the work on show needs to be coherent.
They have to look right together.
If I enter artworks in group shows I make sure they are well framed so they look the very best they can be.
Join our growing members community today to share your Artist Profile story.
Marketing is Vital
I wish I had spent more time on marketing myself. I am not good at it and have been saying for months I should have a website.
I post on Instagram and Facebook and I am now at a stage where I can actually invite people into my studio.
6 Tips for Artists
- Don’t worry about what people think about your art.
- Be true to yourself and follow your heart, it will get you where you need to go.
- Paint, draw, create every day.
- Do it for you, tell your own story, not what people want to hear or what you think they might want to hear.
- Be unique in your own way.
- Practice, draw paint, whatever. Look. Seeing things is inspiring. Look closely Use the best materials you can afford, you are worth it.
Being Proud of Taking the Next Steps
I would love to open my studio to the public and show people what I do.
Joining Art Trails Tasmania has been on my mind for a while now and I’m glad I finally bit the bullet and joined up.
I am looking forward to meeting other artists and hope my art practice will grow from here.
About the Abstract Artist
I am a Dutch born artist based in Tasmania. Having graduated at the Tasmanian School of Art, majoring in sculpture, I have recently changed artistic direction, expanding my interest into painting with acrylics.
Influenced by elements of my past artistic endeavours, my current work is primarily focused on the architecture within our landscape.
Follow Linda on Instagram for her latest exhibitions, events and works.
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Read What Our Members Say About Belonging
Join the growing, supportive artists community today and have your Artist story told here.
Belinda is doing a great job creating a professional looking artist hub online. Check out the profile I posted recently to see how well she does them. To all my artist friends let’s help make this THE go to place to discover local artists.
You won’t regret joining Art Trails Tasmania . It’s a welcoming community for creatives at any career stage.Becoming an Art Trails Tasmania member wasn’t a hard decision for me to make as it’s such a wealth of knowledge and support.Being member provides a quality way to showcase your creative endeavours and it’s quickly growing in reach.
We operate a home based picture framing business and recently joined Art Trails Tasmania as a means to giving us exposure to the wider artist community. We have almost immediately seen increase in activity thru our online sites, which I am certain will lead to more opportunities to grow our business.
Artist Profile Stories
I want there to be more arts and crafts in our world, in our communities and in our own lives. Hopefully you’ve found this blog post inspiring and interesting.
So I’m creating, with your help, Art Trails Tasmania, allowing all of us who feel this love to create more of it.
And the Art Trails Tasmania blog is a key part of making this happen, telling the stories of members. It’s about what they have happening with workshops and classes, exhibitions, open studio trails, where to find their outlets, markets, fairs and festivals so you can shop their creations as well as their art and craft retreats.
Also being shared are the supporters of our artists, the galleries, shops, cafes, art societies and groups, places to stay and artist in residencies.
