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About db Waterman
db Waterman is a Dutch artist, born in the city of Eindhoven, in the south of the Netherlands. Eindhoven is home to the Philips factories and is currently well known as a global tech innovation hub.
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Eindhoven is also known for the annual Dutch Design Week, which has its origins in De Witte Dame; a former Philips office building.
Education
My formative years as an artist were spent studying at the Art Academy in Den Bosch, NL. Today, I regard myself as self-taught, having developed my distinct style out of the untraditional medium of Mixed Media / Collage. My work unites a variety of materials in careful compositions that I pride on their storytelling ability.
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I completed a two-year watercolor course and a two-year photography course.
I am currently working on a Photoshop expert course.
My Studio
Since June 2023, I have been working in a beautiful art studio at Strijp S, Eindhoven.
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Housed in the iconic Klokgebouw on Strijp S, which was once a thriving Philips business park, but now reborn as a dynamic hub for cultural entrepreneurs.
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The Klokgebouw, with its industrial heritage, serves as the perfect backdrop for my artworks. This former centre of Dutch innovation has undergone a metamorphosis, transforming into a vibrant hub, full of energy from creative endeavours. Here, in this historical setting, I have created a space where the industrial past merges perfectly with the present, through my urban landscape, street art and pop art works.
My sources of inspiration
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Childlike Wonder & Resilience: The unwavering spirit of children ignites a spark of hope within me. Their ability to find joy and play, even amidst unimaginable hardship, is a constant source of inspiration. Witnessing them play tag in the ruins of war-torn cities or football in impoverished neighbourhoods serves as a powerful reminder that the human spirit yearns for light, even in the darkest of times. Their resilience and optimism inspire me to believe in a brighter future, a future they will inherit and shape.
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Nature's Serenity & Contrast: Nature, particularly the enduring presence of trees and landscapes, has captivated me since childhood. Early experiences with the natural world continue to evoke beautiful memories and infuse my paintings with a sense of tranquility. This peacefulness beautifully contrasts the weathered cityscapes I incorporate using mixed-media techniques, creating a unique dialogue between the natural world and the urban environment. The children I depict often find themselves amidst these contrasting elements, adding a touch of wonder and representing the delicate balance between humanity and nature.
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Thrilling Intrigue & Surrealism: My fascination with psychological thrillers, fostered through shared experiences with my father in my youth, continues to influence my artistic direction. I draw inspiration from the suspenseful narratives and captivating characters in these stories, translating them into my art through subtle hints of mystery and a touch of the surreal. This adds a layer of intrigue and invites viewers to engage with the work on a deeper level.
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Climate Change Awareness & Human Connection: As an artist, I feel a deep responsibility to address the pressing issue of climate change. Through my work, I utilize a unique blend of mixed media techniques, including collage, painting, and occasional digital manipulation, to create visually compelling and emotionally evocative pieces. These compositions aim to raise awareness of the environmental crisis and its profound impact on our planet. I delve beyond solely depicting the environmental aspects of climate change. My art often features human figures, particularly children, immersed in or influenced by their surroundings. This serves to highlight the interconnectedness between humanity and nature.
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Unique Textures & Stories: The urban landscape, particularly the remnants left behind in the form of faded advertising posters and weathered walls, has always captivated me. I find inspiration in the textures, colors, and stories these elements tell, often seen as signs of decay but for me, representing layers of history and a unique aesthetic. My artistic process involves incorporating these found materials, like newspaper and magazine clippings, alongside acrylic paint, into my mixed-media artworks. This layering technique, similar to how time builds up textures on weathered walls, allows me to create unique and multi-dimensional pieces. Each layer adds depth and meaning, forming the foundation for a final piece unlike any other.
Work Methods
My artistic journey unfolds through a vibrant tapestry of materials. I weave together original photography, assorted papers, the richness of acrylics and oils, alongside the expressive lines of charcoal, ink, and pencil. This diverse palette allows me to breathe life into my vision, each piece a unique exploration of texture and form.
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One of my greatest artistic hurdles arose from the very essence of collage itself: the lack of transparency inherent in traditional painting mediums like watercolors and oils. Overcoming this challenge unlocked new creative possibilities and allowed me to push the boundaries of the medium.
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The finished collages reveal the meticulous process that lies beneath their surface. Each layer, carefully chosen and meticulously placed, becomes an integral part of the final artwork, a testament to the dedication and meticulous preparation poured into each piece.
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My artistic passion lies in the power of reinvention, in the ability to find unexpected beauty in the world around me. Inspired by weathered walls adorned with peeling paint and faded posters, I strive to revive and transform this aesthetic with a discerning artistic eye. My ultimate goal is to capture the essence of making something beautiful out of dilapidation, a sentiment reflected in each artwork I create.
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These works of art, intricate scenes born from the fusion of old and new, explore the captivating contrast between the aged and the nascent. Each element, seamlessly intertwined, contributes to the creation of dreamlike and evocative imagery, inviting the viewer to embark on a journey of wonder and contemplation.
Colours
I draw inspiration from nature's palette, often using quiet natural tones as a foundation in my mixed-media artwork. This approach, heavily reliant on paper and magazine clippings, naturally lends itself to a base of earthy hues.
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My colour choices, which include grays, blues, greens, and touches of red, sienna, and ochre, create a sense of harmony and allow for bolder accents to come to life. These natural shades provide a perfect canvas for the diverse textures and layers I build upon, ultimately leading to the captivating and evocative imagery that defines my work.
Materials
My artistic playground is a vibrant mix of materials. I'm a mixed-media artist, weaving together diverse elements like newspaper clippings, magazine scraps, and acrylic paints. This allows me to break free from conventional boundaries and create one-of-a-kind pieces on various surfaces, from textured cardboard to smooth canvas.
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Each work is a unique in that unexpected materials like tissue paper or vintage music sheets find new life. I often incorporate personal touches like my own photographs or digital elements, adding a layer of personal story to the artwork.
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This approach allows me to experiment with textures, colors, and dimensions, resulting in multi-layered and captivating pieces that invite viewers on a journey of discovery.
