Loes van Delft – Pursuing dreams

Loes van Delft – Pursuing dreams

By Arden de Raaij

Loes van Delft(1991) has been working hard to pursue her dream of being an professional artist, and it’s paying off! Her works, often bright and positive, bring out the best in people and with her signature, painting style, her happy character Pjipje and a positive attitude she’s been making quite a name for herself!

“I paint from the heart.”

Even though you’re relatively young, you seem to be making quite a name for yourself. From which age did you know you wanted to pursue a career in art?

Drawing is something I’ve always loved to do. I used to go to a Montessori school. I could spend the time the way I wanted to. While others were focussing on math or geography, I was always drawing. My father regularly took me to musea and galleries. This is where it all started, I thought “This is what I really want to do”. Drawing and painting has become my life.

Loes van Delft
Loes van Delft
Loes van Delft
Loes van Delft

It seems that your father has an important role in your live, could you share with us what kind of influence he has had on your artistic  career?

I was raised in a warm family of entrepreneurs where we learned ‘the art of life’. I was free to make my own choices and to follow my heart. My father means a lot to me. Without him I wouldn’t be where I am right now. He supports my creativity which really motivates me to go on and pursue my dream. He complements me and I’m really grateful for all of his effort and appreciation. Together we visit art fairs to find galleries where my art fits in and who want to represent me. Working like this, we found galleries in Barcelona and Antwerp. I’m thankful to have such a good connection with my father. It’s very special.

Loes van Delft
Loes van Delft
Loes van Delft
Loes van Delft

Without too much flattery, you’re a pretty young lady. Do you feel that this might influence the perception of you as an artist (positively or negatively)?

The Urban/Comic scene is a bit of a men world. As a woman my approach is rather different. I love to work with soft colors. In my paintings there is no macho message like violence or guns . It might give me a bit of an advantage. Though I don’t have the idea that because I am a woman, people take me less serious. I frequently get compliments of people who like that I’m a woman in this art scene. It flatters me. But I just do what I do. It’s just something I can’t change. I don’t have a say in it.

I’ve seen your work referred to as street art. Could you explain why that is while it’s mostly not on the street?

I’m definitely not a street artist. Street art, Urban, Comic; they’re styles that overlap at certain points. They often use equal surfaces and strongly contoured lines and also, they often work with text. It’s a style that is predominantly practiced by young artists who sense and translate what is relevant right now. Not too long ago I participated in an exhibition where all the three styles were exhibited. I had the honour to be invited to an exhibition in Palacio Santa Barbara in Madrid, Spain, together with big names like Banksy, Shepard Fairy, Mr. Brainwash, D*Face, Blek le Rat and others.

Loes van Delft
Loes van Delft
Loes x Jade
Loes x Jade

You’ve collaborated with the talented guys from Leyp. Are there other artists you look up to and / or would like to work with?

My most recent exhibition “Loes & Friends” was totally in light of collaborations. I’ve reached out to some amazing fellow artists from across the globe. We had contact with each other through Skype and Facebook and this way we discussed the completion of a shared canvas. In Las Vegas the phenomenal Giovanni Morales started out and I finished the work in my own studio. In the same manner I painted three works with the South African Jade Doreen Waller. I also made some beautiful and unique works with painters from Germany, Greece and not to forget, Belgium. The collaboration with Jade was so pleasant that we’ll work on a new series of paintings this Summer.  We will have an combined show in London later this year. So excited! Our styles match really well and brings out the best from both. It’s a wonderful combination:

Do you have any specific goals with your art?

What I paint comes from the heart, like creativity does. I just paint what feels good to me. I don’t think a painting needs to have a underlying thought. People do often tell me that my work makes them happy. With the use of bright colours and sweet, sort of enchanting figures they tend to have that effect. I like to hear that, it makes me feel satisfied. I’m also amazed how broad my audience is. A main tool for my publicity is the internet. Almost daily I post pictures and news on my Facebook page, where I almost have 23K followers. Recently Dominic Purcell (I’ve such a big crush on him for like years he is out of this world) reposted one of my paintings on his Instagram profile and described me as one of the most absurdly talented artists on the planet & that my work is so brilliant and unique. That’s far beyond the best compliment someone EVER gave me. I’ve never felt this flattered. It makes me feel privileged and honored that my work  speaks to such talented/well known persons. I just can hardly believe it!

Loes van Delft
Loes van Delft

What can we expect from Loes van Delft in the future?

My biggest dream is making a lot of people around the world happy with my work. To realize that dream I have some good people around  to help me. At this moment, none other than the New York art dealer Patty Findlay is my new agent in America, Hong Kong and the UK. Patty has made international breakthroughs possible for many artists.

Loes van Delft
Loes van Delft

About Loes van Delft

The paintings of Loes van Delft combine an innocent quirkiness with a cheeky cartoon feel. Bluring the borders between fine brush strokes and commercialism, the characters are endearing, charming and ...View profile