Thijs Jan
Born in the Netherlands, I have always been drawn to stories, form and the way images can convey meaning. My fascination with art and architecture led me to study art history, while photography became an important part of my creative life for many years.
Over time, this connection between form, image and storytelling inspired me to follow in the creative footsteps of previous generations and turn to painting. Today, I create abstract and impressionistic oil paintings in which colour, texture and composition come together to tell a story. Rich impasto layers and subtle transitions bring depth, light and movement to the work.
For me, colour is more than aesthetics—it carries meaning. Whether working in abstraction or impressionism, I aim to create paintings that invite the viewer to slow down, look closer and discover a personal interpretation, where emotion, nature and human experience come together.
Solo exposition
“L’Empâtement Narratif” is a solo exhibition by Dutch artist Thijs-Jan Nieuwlaat, exploring how colour, texture, and layered impasto can tell stories beyond words. The exhibition concludes with a finissage on 14 August 2026 at Atelier L’Écurie in Belvès, France, marking the closing of a summer exhibition dedicated to contemporary abstract oil painting.
Solo exposition
“Elements of Unity” is a solo exhibition by Dutch artist Thijs-Jan Nieuwlaat, exploring how colour, texture, and layered impasto can tell stories beyond words. The exhibition concludes with a Minissage on 15 August 2026 at Naz Hussey Galerie in Belvès, France, marking the closing of a summer exhibition dedicated to contemporary abstract oil painting.