New van den hooven artworks for sale...
In the last month or so local Moruya artist van den hooven has been busy at home painting dozens of new artworks in his instantly recogniseable and colourful style. More will be uploaded over the coming weeks ... Read More
Artist van den hooven
Illustrative artist van den hooven, has a distinct visual language characterised by confident lines, divergent colours and imbued with vibrant symbolism. Intentionally cluttered, contradictory and complex—his compositions capture ... Read More
New artwork displays...
Have you ever wondered how art would look in real life situations? Sometimes we can’t always picture what art will look like when it is displayed on a wall. That’s why van den hooven has recently decided to ... Read More
The meaning behind my art, what inspired it, and what I like about it.
I have written previously about what inspired me to paint the way I do and how my style arose. But...
Schmincke neutral grey
I keep confusing the name of this colour with Schminke's "neutral tint". That grey is a warmer,...
Schmincke spinel brown
Winsor and Newton calls it "magnesium brown", but I am using the Schmincke version (which may or...
Manganese blue barium manganate sulfate pigment PB33
I recently started using genuine manganese blue colour, a pigment made from barium manganate...
Recent work
Irreconcilable Differences
“Irreconcilable Differences” is a mesmerizing modern watercolor that captivates with its intricate interplay of geometric arcs, straight lines and shapes. The bold, confident lines—both curved and straight—guide the viewer’s eye, creating a dynamic sense of movement and depth. The composition is a symphony of muted earth tones—browns, greys, and ochres—punctuated by vibrant accents of bright cadmium red, green, and erbium pink (unique to van den hooven's palette). These colors breathe life into the abstract forms, which seem to float and overlap in an ambiguous, dreamlike space. At the heart of the piece are stylized elements that strongly hint at human facial features. Eyes with striking blue and green irises and black pupils peer outwards, their gaze both inviting and enigmatic at the same time. Mouths, rendered in shades intense red and white, add a sense of expression and emotion, Multiple organs such as a pair of lungs, heart and brain are planted throughout the composition and reconnected in strange new ways. Does what we say and think not affect our hearts? The artwork balances precision with spontaneity. Quadrilateral and trapezium shapes interact playfully with the more fluid, organic forms. This juxtaposition creates a visual tension that is both harmonious and yet strangely intriguing. The piece invites viewers to delve into its layers, to interpret the symbols and forms and figures in their own meaningful way. “Irreconcilable Differences” delves deep beneath a human surface anatomy, and instead looks towards the interior, almost physiology, at what lingers beneath the surface. Not in an an accurate medical or scientific sense, but a novel creative way. At what we find inside people's minds and bodies, how the two may be inter-related, interconnected, interdependent. Looking at the internal and the external –not individually, but simultaneously– challenges traditional and conventional notions of portraiture and representation, offering a unique and thought-provoking exploration of identity, character and emotion. It is a testament to van den hooven’s ability to blend technical skill with creative vision, resulting in a piece that is as intellectually stimulating as it is visually captivating.
Artist:
van den hooven
Title:
Irreconcilable Differences
Size:
38cm x 27cm
Price:
AUD$735
Medium:
Watercolour and wax pencil
Fragmented Expression
This artwork is a striking example of abstract expressionism, characterized by its bold use of color, fragmented forms, and a chaotic composition that evokes strong emotion. The piece appears to depict a distorted, contorted pair of interconnected faces with exaggerated and disjointed features: large, asymmetrical eyes; multiple sets of white grid-like teeth; while human organs are re-connected in strange new ways. The fragmented face could symbolize inner turmoil, fear, or a fractured sense of identity, common themes in abstract expressionist works. The use of thick black outlines to separate the shapes gives it a stained-glass-like quality, while the vibrant colors (reds, blues, yellows, and greens) create a sense of intensity and unease.
Artist:
van den hooven
Title:
Fragmented Expression
Size:
38cm x 27cm
Price:
AUD$230
Medium:
Watercolour and wax pencil
Tribal echoes
This artwork by van den hooven, titled "Tribal echoes" is a striking example of abstract expressionism with a cubist influence, characterised by its bold use of color and fragmented forms. The piece features two stylized faces, their features deconstructed into geometric shapes and reassembled in a way that evokes both harmony and tension. The faces are rendered in a vivid palette of reds, blues, yellows, and purples, with each section of color sharply delineated by thick, black wax pencil outlines that create a stained-glass 'granular' type effect. The expressions on the faces are intense, with wide, toothy mouths and large, circular eyes that convey a sense of raw emotion — perhaps anger, fear, or a primal scream. The asymmetry of the features, such as the mismatched eye colors (one green, one blue) and the angular, jagged lines of the mouths, adds to the unsettling yet captivating nature of the work. The surrounding background is a patchwork of darker, muted tones along the bottom of the artwork and more vibrant lighter tones along the top edge. These two zones blend seamlessly into the central focal point –the faces– which creates a sense of depth while maintaining the flat, two-dimensional quality typical of cubist art. The artist employs a flat application of pure watercolor pigment segments with subtle changes in hue amongst adjacent regions; these isolated areas harmonise well with the overall colour palette and alleviate the harshness of the geometric divisions. The lines delineating these different colour space regions often continue and progress into other sections of the artwork, creating a more compelling composition. This technique, combined with the stark and relatively thick black outlines, creates a dynamic interplay between colour and line, structure and fluidity. "Tribal echoes" invites viewers to explore the emotional undercurrents beneath its fragmented surface, offering a visceral experience that is both chaotic and deeply human. Tribal echoes is partly inspired by the mandrill monkey with it's striking and distinctive crimson & pale blue facial features. This artwork features two areas of genuine Manganese blue PB33 watercolour on the right tribal face distinctive a pigment that has been discontinued for some time, increasing this artworks rarity and thus inherent value.
Artist:
van den hooven
Title:
Tribal echoes
Size:
38cm x 26cm
Price:
AUD$525
Medium:
Watercolour and wax pencil
Interdependent perspectives
“Interdependent perspectives” is a captivating modern abstract watercolor artwork that masterfully blends geometric and organic shapes to evoke a sense of surrealism. The composition features a harmonious interplay of muted earth tones, such as browns and greys, contrasted with vibrant zones of pink, red, green and blue. These colors are used to highlight stylized and exaggerated facial features, including eyes with prominent green irises and mouths with bright red lips and white teeth. The fragmented arrangement of these features creates a dynamic and engaging visual experience, inviting viewers to explore the emotional depth and complexity of the piece. The use of both curved and straight thick black lines adds definition and structure, guiding the viewer’s eye throughout the intricate composition. The overall effect is one of movement and fluidity, as the abstract elements come together to form a cohesive yet enigmatic whole. This artwork challenges traditional notions of portraiture and personality, presenting a unique and thought-provoking interpretation of human nature and facial features.
Artist:
van den hooven
Title:
Interdependent perspectives
Size:
Price:
AUD$
Medium:
Watercolour and wax pencil
Interdependent perspectives 3
“Interdependent perspectives” is a captivating modern abstract watercolor artwork that masterfully blends geometric and organic shapes to evoke a sense of surrealism. The composition features a harmonious interplay of muted earth tones, such as browns and greys, contrasted with vibrant zones of pink, red, green and blue. These colors are used to highlight stylized and exaggerated facial features, including eyes with prominent green irises and mouths with bright red lips and white teeth. The fragmented arrangement of these features creates a dynamic and engaging visual experience, inviting viewers to explore the emotional depth and complexity of the piece. The use of both curved and straight thick black lines adds definition and structure, guiding the viewer’s eye throughout the intricate composition. The overall effect is one of movement and fluidity, as the abstract elements come together to form a cohesive yet enigmatic whole. This artwork challenges traditional notions of portraiture and personality, presenting a unique and thought-provoking interpretation of human nature and facial features.
Artist:
van den hoovenTitle:
Interdependent perspectives
Size:
38cm x 26cm
Price:
AUD$375Medium:
Watercolour and wax pencil
Chaos Theory
A captivating and vibrant investigation into the dichotomy of modern life. As a species, we’re both inhabitants and consumers of the natural world. We live in a culture of coexistence and consumerism. This piece invites you to examine our human experience within the contemporary culture of consumerism, and the effect it has on the environment. Where will this pandemonium of personal objects end up? What impact does it have on us and our health? What meaning do you draw from the choice and placement of the personal objects I illustrate? How is technology connected to nature? What relationship do we have with our products? This contemporary pop art painting is perfect for: — Uplifting your home décor with colourful, charismatic focus piece — Prompting deep conversations with friends about important topics — Adding illustrative, street art appeal to any space The limited edition watercolour painting is done on ecological Saint-Armand paper 230gsm rag cotton paper for long lasting enjoyment. Ships within 2-4 days.
Artist:
van den hoovenTitle:
Chaos TheorySize:
48cm x 28cmMedium:
Watercolour and wax pencilPrice:
AUD$2350 add to cart buy it now
Adverse Complexity
A captivating and vibrant investigation into the dichotomy of modern life As a species, we’re both inhabitants and consumers of the natural world. This piece invites you to examine our human experience within the contemporary culture of consumerism, and the effect it has on the environment. Where will this pandemonium of personal objects end up? What impact does it have on us and our health? What meaning do you draw from the choice and placement of the personal objects I illustrate? How is technology connected to nature? What relationship do we have with our products? This contemporary pop art painting is perfect for: — Uplifting your home décor with colourful, charismatic focus piece — Prompting deep conversations with friends about important topics — Adding illustrative, street art appeal to any space The limited edition watercolour painting is done on ecological Saint-Armand paper 230gsm rag cotton paper for long lasting enjoyment. Ships within 2-4 days.
Artist:
van den hoovenTitle:
Adverse ComplexitySize:
97cm x 55cmMedium:
Watercolour and wax pencilPrice:
AUD$7500
Mental anguish
My earlier work focused on deconstructing human forms to explore my internal conflict, but has since evolved beyond my personal story to include the exterior realm. Now it is intentionally symbolic, encouraging viewers to explore their own interpretation within each piece. I believe illustration is a unique visual language that can help us articulate and explore complex issues. It gives me a way to connect to and inspire others with vibrancy and creativity. There is also solace in the mindful process of creating. It uplifts me and allows me to quell my restless mind; pressing me to persevere when things become bleak Could the organs highlight the internal struggles we face in navigating the chaos of the modern world?
Artist:
van den hoovenTitle:
mental anguishSize:
46cm x 25.5cmMedium:
Watercolour and wax pencilPrice:
AUD$9,000
Turbulent phenomena
My earlier work focused on deconstructing human forms to explore my internal conflict, but has since evolved beyond my personal story to include the exterior realm. Now it is intentionally symbolic, encouraging viewers to explore their own interpretation within each piece. I believe illustration is a unique visual language that can help us articulate and explore complex issues. It gives me a way to connect to and inspire others with vibrancy and creativity. There is also solace in the mindful process of creating. It uplifts me and allows me to quell my restless mind; pressing me to persevere when things become bleak Could the organs highlight the internal struggles we face in navigating the chaos of the modern world?
Artist:
van den hooven
Title:
Turbulent phenomena
Size:
50cm x 20cm
Price:
AUD$
Medium:
Watercolour and wax pencil