Inside the Studio
Patricia Derks
Favorite material to work with?
Currently my favourite material is oil paint. This is because of the possibility to paint wet-in- wet and the ability to mix colors on the painting surface. This creates special effects on the painting with a kind of unique signature.
What themes do you prefer?
I collect my subjects out of different magazines and books. And of course, the Internet is a perfect source to search for pictures that are attractive to me. Combining the different pictures and views often creates a new image that I try to translate using my creative mind-set on the canvas. Unusual color use is one of the special touches within my art. Portraits of men, women, and animals are the subjects I am working on at the moment.
How many years as an artist?
Started 10 years ago and rapidly developed my own style using the classic techniques learned at the art academy and experimenting with different materials.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Create things that you like yourself, as well as what makes you happy when looking at it.
Where is your studio?
My studio is situated in the backyard of our house in Vught, The Netherlands. Very convenient, I must say, as I can easily hop-in my studio when I feel like it.
Art school or self-taught?
A bit of both. I started to explore my own skills some years prior to joining Art Academy Aerendonk in Belgium. I graduated with highest honor in 2012.
Day job?
Painting.
Prefer to work with music or in silence?
Music should be playing when I am painting. I like music from South African singer, Lira, as well as Sabrina Stark and Giovanca. I like Jazz and funky music, which gives you the right groove.
Where can we find you outside of the studio?
Most likely doing some shopping or visiting some galleries in town. I also like to travel a lot. This year I already visited some very interesting cities like Tokyo, Salamanca, Lisbon, and Paris. Biennale Venice and New York City to come in autumn! Visiting major cities gives me a lot of energy and new impulses.
And of course I have to look after the family.
What’s around the corner from your place?
A small forest. I have to just cross the road to enter it. I can walk with our dog, or do some jogging there. It is an ideal place to re-charge my battery and clear up my mind before going back to the studio.
If you could not be an artist, what should you do?
I would have a profession within the medical world.
Favorite contemporary artist?
My favorite artists are Ai WeiWei, Anish Kapoor, and Marlene Dumas.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
My most favorite painting is, “Red and Green Hand” painted by the Belgian artist, Michael Borremans. I like it because of its simplicity. If you look at it, the colors will change the whole setting of the painting. This is what makes it so very special.
Favorite brushes?
I don’t have that many brushes, but when creating my artwork, I normally use 3 flat brushes of different sizes. After finishing the painting I will throw the brushes away, as I do not like the whole cleaning process.
Monet or Manet?
Manet.
