Littleblue bird (2019) Painting by Romy Van Rijckevorsel

Romy van Rijckevorsel is a contemporary Dutch artist based in Vlijmen since 2002. Born in Drunen in 1967, she is a self-taught artist who initially focused on portrait painting. After many years of professional work, she pursued formal education at the Academy of Fine Arts in Arendonk, earning a diploma in Painting in 2017. That same year marked a turning point in her career as she began creating independent artworks, primarily in painting.

Van Rijckevorsel draws profound inspiration from people, viewing humanity as an inexhaustible source for artistic exploration. Her approach to portraiture has evolved from focusing solely on resemblance to infusing each piece with depth and meaning. She embraces the aesthetic of imperfection, often leaving large portions of the canvas unfilled to maintain an unfinished and open-ended quality that invites interpretation.

Acrylics are her medium of choice, complementing her dynamic technique of applying fast, smooth, wet layers of paint. Her process alternates between working on the canvas laid flat on the ground and upright on the wall. Charcoal lines, initially a tool for sketching, have become integral to her compositions, adding distinct character to her work. Recently, she has incorporated collages into her portraits, further enriching her artistic language.