The Interview : Bianca Berends

Rachna Singh, Editor, The Wise Owl talks to Bianca Berends, a Dutch fine artist and portrait painter, recognized by The Portrait Society of America as one of today's leading artists and recently received a Certificate of Excellence for one of her portraits. Her work was part of the prestigious BP Portrait Award in 2004 in London. Her paintings have been exhibited in various well-known museums and galleries in Canada, Great Britain and The Netherlands. Reproductions of her portrait of the Dutch King Willem Alexander (2014) are part of the permanent collection of many governmental organizations in The Netherlands. She is recognized as one of the leading contemporary portrait artists in The Netherlands, various times featured in the Dutch media and in the book ‘Portraits of Portrait Artists’. Since 2011 she works and lives a large part of the year on the Caribbean Island of Curacao and had the honor of painting two portraits of the former governor of Curacao, Frits Goedgedrag and a portrait of the former governor of Aruba, Fredis Refunjol.

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Thank you, Bianca, for talking to The Wise Owl.

RS: Your latest series, Colors Unleashed, vividly combines bold depictions of children with abstract, energetic forms. What was the initial spark or idea that led you to create this series?

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BB: This series is the result of a long creative process. I never think about the results when I start a new series. I start by experimenting with various materials, combining pieces, and trying new techniques. The abstract forms emerged from purely intuitive painting. I have never explored this way of abstract painting before. It took a while for me to combine the figures of children jumping into the water with the abstract pieces.

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RS: Themes of human connection, freedom, and dreams are central to your work. How do these ideas influence the choice of your subjects and the abstract elements in your paintings?

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BB: The choice of depicting children instead of adults definitely has something to do with the theme of freedom and dreams. Children are not yet burdened by the limits many adults run into. They can still be in the moment. The human connection also comes from viewers getting nostalgic by watching the scenes in my work, as they often evoke memories of their childhood.

RS: Your bold and expressive brushstrokes are distinctive. How did you arrive at this style, and what does it represent in your artistic expression?

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BB: I think I was influenced by the painting styles of great American portrait artists like Evert Raymond Kinstler, and Michael Shane Neal. But also, the artworks of David Shevlino, John Singer Sargent, and Joaquin Sorolla have influenced my art. And don't forget Jenny Saville, a wonderful British Artist. Most use bold, expressive brushstrokes, and their styles resonated with me.

RS: The abstract elements in your paintings evoke a sense of movement and energy, resembling a spectrum twister. Can you share how this unique visual language developed and its role in the narrative of your work?

BB: It is actually a funny story. I had started the creative process of this new series by trying out new painting and drawing techniques, but I couldn't get into the flow. It went on for a few months, and I decided to roll out a large piece of paper on the floor of my studio. This piece lay there for a few weeks without me doing anything with it. I then decided to use it to experiment with new acrylic paint: fluid acrylics. It's high in pigmentation but feels like watercolor. Again, I couldn't get into the flow. I was working on a small area of this enormous piece of paper, and finally, I got furious at myself for not daring to get out of my comfort zone. Just DO something substantial and maybe fail, but stop being so careful, I told myself! Finally, that opened up the creative flow. And within days, I had multiple large pieces filled with this intuitive abstract technique I didn't know I had in me. It was fascinating and very exciting!

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RS: Your art blends the personal with the universal, leaving space for viewers to bring their own stories and interpretations. How do you achieve this balance, and how important is it for you as an artist to engage your audience in this way?

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BB: I think engaging my audience this way is something that comes naturally to me. It is part of my personality. I want viewers to feel involved in my work and not keep them at a distance. That results in artwork that invites people to interact with it and create their own stories.

RS: The Art of Being an Artist is a treasure trove of insights for artists and art lovers. What inspired you to write this book, and how does it reflect your own journey as an artist?

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BB: It was never my intention to write this book. But when I started the creative process of my last series, I wanted to document everything I was doing because I intended to try all kinds of techniques and experiment a lot. By documenting everything, I can keep track of everything. Eventually, I realized that the documentation of this creative process might also be interesting for other artists who might be starting or art lovers to get a look behind the scenes in an art studio. That is when the idea for a book was born.

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RS: Can you walk us through your creative process? For instance, do you begin with a clear concept, or does your work evolve organically on the canvas?

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BB: My work evolves organically. I avoid thinking about results at the beginning of a new series of paintings. I always work within a theme to give me some direction, but that's it. Every time, it is a journey without a destination (concept). Phase one is mostly a lot of experimentation, phase two will have a bit more direction and evolves organically from the first phase, and phase three will produce the final artwork, which is often a combination of all kinds of pieces I have created along the way.

RS: For emerging artists trying to find their voice and navigate their creative journey, what advice would you offer, especially about staying true to one’s artistic vision?

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BB: Maybe the most important thing is don't wait for inspiration. Dare to experiment, let go of your ideas about the final artwork, be brave, and work, work, work. Create a workspace where you can leave your stuff out. Even if it is small, it will make it easier to get into the flow. Don't try to make something beautiful. Let things emerge from the creative process. Dare to fail, because it will force you out of your comfort zone, and that is the place where interesting things can happen!

Thank you for taking time out to talk with The Wise Owl. We wish you the very best in all your creative endeavours.