
NATURE IN SONJA'S WORK
For plein-air artist Sonja Brussen, nature is the greatest source of inspiration. She goes out to capture the moment, the speed of light, the changing clouds. It is a constant hunt and a daily quest to capture light, air and space. Nature, which has fascinated her since she was young, is captured with a minimum of human influences.
Her powerful works, which combine impressionism and expressionism, are painted alla prima (wet-on-wet) by Sonja Brussen. Her technique and use of colour are strong and very personal. In the field, she is influenced by what is going on in nature: sun, cold, wind, rain. All these influences contribute to the creation and atmosphere of her work. For her, this also includes the sound of nature: the birds, the wind, a splash in the water and the rustling in the bushes. This experience of nature is so intense that when you look at her works, you immediately experience that you are standing in the middle of that piece of nature. You are not only looking at an image of nature, but you are, as it were, part of it.
Educated by passionate teachers and completed with the upgrade at ArteZ (University of the Arts), she knows how to constantly renew herself. Her paintings have been purchased and included in collections by collectors/companies in: The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Thailand, Ireland, England, USA, Singapore, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Scotland, Sweden, Australia.
Member of artist organizations:
• Katwijkerkring / Association of Dutch Professional Plein Air Painters.
• Dutch Association of Marine Painters / Dutch Association of Marine Painters.
• Svenska Konstnärsförbundet.
Harry J.Kraaij, art historian
AWARDS
- Rembrandt Painting Award 2016.
- Art in the Open Contest Ierland 2013.
- Painting Award in 2015.
- Artist-in-residence, Noordwijk 2019.
- Artist-in-residence, Urk 2018.
- Artist-in-residence, Lamu 2017.
GALLERIES
- Gallery Bonnard, Nuenen.
- Gallery Année, Haarlem.
- Gallery Posthuys, Texel.
- Gallery Ruigewaert, Garrelsweer.
- Kunst of Art, Laag Keppel.
- Gallery Hoeve Rijlaarsdam, Nieuwkoop.
- Gallery Drentsche Aa, Balloo.
- Gallery Gloria, Veenendaal.
MUSEA
- Museum Staal, Almen, SOLO, 2020.
- Water museum, Arnhem, 2022.
- Museum Muzee, Scheveningen, 2019.
- Museum De Casteelse Poort, 2018.
- Museum Møhlmann, 2016 till 2025.
- Fries Scheepvaart museum, 2016.
- Museum Noordwijk 2015.
"She immerses herself in nature almost daily, capturing the beauty of landscapes with bold, vibrant strokes of oil paint"
