About me
Shape, light and absolutely color!
My name is Arco Bruinenberg and when I was 4 years old, my mother suggested that I make a drawing for my grandfather, hoping that I would finally start drawing. He lived in Portugal and came to the Netherlands once a year.
It was the right suggestion, because from that moment on I was always busy drawing and painting. I wanted to become an artist and filled all my school notebooks with drawings.
On my sixth birthday I got my very first easel from my uncle, who is also a painter, and I painted almost every day. Color is extremely important to me in almost every part of my life. My fascination for color is also absolutely reflected in my work. Perhaps less visible but certainly an important source of inspiration is shape. Especially in old architecture and in outspoken fashion statements I see many interesting shapes and textures.
During my twenties I lost sight of my creativity. Painting was no longer in the foreground and I mainly expressed myself through outspoken clothing style and hairstyles. It was during my recovery from depression in 2023 that I found my passion for painting again. It was during this period that I started developing my abstract style.
About my artwork
Painting is my basis. On paper or canvas. Paint has always been my preference. I mainly work with acrylic paint from the brand Winsor & Newton but I also like to try out other brands of acrylic paint.
I did not follow an art education. I did follow other creative courses such as a course in Hair & Make-up, art history and an Interior Architecture course where colour, material and form were offered several times. Everything else comes from myself. My hands tell my story by doing, trying, looking and discovering. That is how your own style is created.
Artist resumeEducation
- Art history at NTI (2023/2024)
- Pottery & ceramics course at Scherf & Verf (2023 to present)
- Soapstone sculpture workshop with Simone van Olst (2023)
- Interior architecture at NCOI (2019)
- Hair & Grime at the Thomas Institute (2010)
- Drawing lessons at SSO (1999/2000)
Collaboration
- 'ALLES VOOR KUNST' - Sales and rental of my work since spring 2024 to present.
- 'Bubble art projects' - exhibition at the Hilton Garden Inn in Leiden during the summer of 2024.
- 'Mondzorgkliniek Oud-Beijerland' - Exhibition since summer 2024 to present.
Media
- Art route Nissewaard 2024: website, social media, brochure and local newspaper 'Groot Nissewaard' for promotion.
- Art market Heenvliet 2024: website promotion.
- Montmartre The Hague 2024: website & social media promotion.
- 2OF Entertainment: YouTube interview.
- Artist Close-up: Website interview and 1 page in their magazine.
- National Art Days 2024: Website and social media.