ArtWay

Quality is the first norm for art, but its final norm is love and truth, the enriching of human life, the deepening of our vision.

Artists

Kuilen-Terlouw, Davitha van de

Davitha van de Kuilen-Terlouw

Bio
I was born in 1987 and ever since I have lived in Kootwijkerbroek, The Netherlands, a small village in the wooded area of the Veluwe. As daughter of visual artist Wilma Terlouw I was active with pencils, brushes and other visual materials throughout my childhood. In the studio of my mother I learned to express experiences in a visual manner. In 2010 I completed my studies in Art Education and Design at the ArtEZ Art Academy in Arnhem. Two years later I obtained an MA in Art Education at the ArtEZ Art Academy in Zwolle.
In 2013 I started my own company as artist, designer and art teacher. The teaching I do primarily through Studio Terlouw of Wilma Terlouw, where I give courses and workshops to children, adults and primary-school groups.
My Work
My work is many-sided. At the moment I focus especially on paintings and murals, but I also make sculptures of stone and wood. My graduation project consisted of a series of woodprints that has found its way to several exhibitions.
My work often starts with a figurative image based on observations and photos, which subsequently evolves into a more or less abstract image. Transparency, multiple layers and contrasting colours are characteristic of my visual language. The use of diferent techniques when working with acrylics often results in a rough texture.
I also like to work in commission. In these works I combine the wishes of my clients with my own approach. I see it as a challenge to try to meet their taste and wishes and want to give them the opportunity to bring something of themselves to the artwork.
Motivation
The themes of my work vary, but often have to do with human beings and (their relationship to) nature. Nature contains so much splendid beauty as inspiration for compositions and use of colour! As I often work intuitively while being fascinated by colours and just playing with them, the meaning of a painting often evolves during the work process.   
Although my Christian worldview is not always expressed directly in my work, God and his Word are my greatest sources of inspiration. The fact that he is the Creator and the source of all creativity inspires me and lets me see the beauty that allows me to create anew.
It is my hope that my own fascination and emotions create an entrance into my work and result in a connection with the viewer. It is special to me to notice that the reception of my work sometimes takes place at deep levels of the viewers’ individual humanity.
 
1. From the earth, 200 x 160 cm, consisting of 16 separate prints (40 x 50 cm), 2010.  
2. Free, 100 x 70 cm, acrylics and mixed media on linen, 2013. For whoever has died is freed from sin. (Romans 6:7). 
3. Girl, 80 x 120 cm, acrylics, oil and mixed media on linen, 2008.  
4. View, 60 x 80 cm, acrylics and mixed media on linen, 2013.  
5. Wood, 80 x 120 cm, acrylics and mixed media on canvas, 2013. It is so beautiful to see how the light on the trees and the resulting colours change moment by moment. Trees extend themselves towards the sky and rejoice! ‘Let the field exult and everything in it; then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy!’ (Psalm 96:12).