Artist Statement

Let`s introduce 

Hi, I’m Roman! I create colorful, energizing, elegantly layered, semi-realistic oil paintings. Sometimes with a humorous twist to spark an extra layer of emotion.

Painting everlasting memories

My Mission
Driven by my own desire to hold onto precious memories, I paint everlasting natural beauty with museum-quality precision, creating art that invites the free-spirited, design-conscious collector to relive their own moments of wonder, find solace, and appreciate life’s fleeting beauty, leaving behind a legacy of cherished moments for generations to come.

My Story
Alzheimer’s disease entered my life at the age of seven, beginning with my grandmother and later affecting three of my aunts. In 2020, I lost my father to this devastating condition. This experience instilled in me a profound fear of the disease, prompting me to find a way to capture and preserve the beauty of life. Where I once took countless photographs, I now paint, creating lasting memories and a legacy for future generations.

My Inspiration
The delicate dance of flower petals, unfolding in seemingly random harmony. The triumphant burst of sunlight through storm-laden clouds, after a long, patient rain. The endless symphony of color that paints a sunset’s canvas. The ethereal embrace of mist, blanketing the landscape on an early spring morning. Nature, my lifeblood, ignites within me a profound sense of joy. In paint, I capture these fleeting, everlasting memories, inviting the viewer to witness the exquisite, precious beauty of our world.

How I work

Every painting starts with two ground layers of colored gesso. Then I sketch out a composition based on a photo (In some work I draw and sketch intuitively) with pencil or charcoal. After setting out a sketch, I block-out the first layer in mixed colors of acrylic (Brand: Amsterdam Acrylics). Then I add multiple layers of water-based oil paint (Brand: Cobra) until I am satisfied with the end-result. 

I work on different media like canvas, canvas on panel, wooden panels or high quality oil paint suitable paper (Clairefontaine 240 g).

Now and then I also experiment with abstract painting. A different style but with the same energetic values (colorful, energizing and layered) based on a balanced composition, as with my semi-realistic oil paintings. 

Where to find me?

I am located in the Netherlands in a small town called Oud-Beijerland (south of Rotterdam). I work from my studio at home. Currently, I am working on a series of florals and seascapes.

If you want to know more send me a DM via Instagram or an e-mail.

contact @ romanvangelder.com (without the spacings)