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

Ottow, Roel

Roel Ottow

Bio
I was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 1955. After secondary school I had to choose between studying biology or pursue my other passion, drawing and painting. It has, with conviction, become the latter.
 
I chose for the Academy of Visual Arts in Arnhem, the Netherlands, as this school was regarded at the time as top of the bill and because of its great natural environment. After social service to avoid the draft as designer/illustrator/drawer at what today is known as Agape, I started working in 1980 at Richard Design in Laren and in 1983 at Dart Design in Amsterdam. In 1985 I started to work as an independent designer/illustrator. From 1988-1991 my wife Alice and I have worked for Wycliffe in Kenya, Alice as linguist and I as designer/illustrator.
 
 
I work on children’s books (e.g. the children’s Bible Volg Mij) as well as for publications for companies and various magazines. At the Dutch Illustrators Society I have been nominated for ‘advertisements’ (’96) and decorated with the annual award for ‘editorials’ (’97).
 
About my work
My daily design and illustration work is recognizable in my ‘free’ work. Above all I enjoy ‘making beautiful things’ and ‘making things beautiful’, and for this I use various techniques and materials, from pastel and acrylics to felt-pen and ink. I work from dreamy to more realistic, with a subtle sense of humour.
 
My work has been exhibited in the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, the Cat Museum and many other places in the Netherlands. I am a member of the Gallery Foundation Apeldoorn, the Christian Union for Visual Artists and the professional organization for Dutch designers.
 
As a Christian I want to experience my dependence on God in my work. I prefer to write inspiration with a capital I.
 
 
1. Escape, acrylics, 80 x 100 cm.
 
2. Breakin’ Free, acrylics, 80 x 100 cm.
 
3. Break Through, mixed media, ca. 2 meter.
 
4. Lama Sabachtani, acrylics, framed 31 x 85.
 
5. Who is Pulling the Strings?, pastel, framed 70 x 50 cm.
 
On the internet