Sharing Ideas and Stories in Realistic Paintings

Yvonne Welman, yvonne-welman.com, is a realist painter and teacher living in the Netherlands.  She creates multifaceted and engaging paintings that tell visual stories about her experiences and ideas. The artist works with open acrylic or oil paint and often integrates textile fabrics from her personal history. She enjoys creating narrative paintings with variations on traditional techniques.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. DO NOT REPRODUCE IMAGES WITHOUT THE ARTIST’S PERMISSION.

Communication, mixed media on canvas, 55” x 39”

Yvonne has been selected for inclusion in Manhattan Arts International  “HerStory” exhibitions including the “HerStory” 2024 Invitational Exhibition. Her painting “Communication”, shown above, was selected for the Manhattan Arts International “HerStory” 2023 juried exhibition for her unique, imaginative and timely expression. It was also included in the Fall 2023 issue of Caustic Frolic (a New York University magazine).

Frequently, personal reactions to social issues is the motivation for Yvonne’s artwork. “Feelings like frustration, anger or admiration about our society start my visualization process.” She explains that her paintings explore the “Zeitgeist” from a feministic perspective and are at the same time “a propaganda for a disappearing world of meaningful pictures.”  

Yvonne states, “I want the viewer to bring their own thoughts and emotions to my work. I want to let the viewer pose the ‘why’ question.” She adds, “I want people to understand we need a world with high moral standards and to show compassion! Learn from history. I am often indignant about what is happening in society.”

Since Leucippos People are Damaged Everywhere by Lust of Power, acrylic, fineliner, embroidery on canvas; 55″ x 55″

Most of Yvonne’s drawings have less complicated stories and are sometimes made only to celebrate beauty. The artist explains, “The drawing also has the function to clear my head from problems in my painting. After some time has passed the solution appears just like a moment of inspiration.” She sees beauty as essential to art because, “Our mind needs beauty to stay alive and vibrant.”

“Avaritia/Greed”, shown below, received a Special Recognition award from Light, Space, Time, in its “All Women” art exhibition in 2022. It was also selected for the “Inspirational Art in Mixed Media” 2021 exhibition presented by The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, an initiative of Manhattan Arts International.

Avaritia/Greed, collage and acrylic on canvas, 55″ x 39″

In 2021 Yvonne won a Bronze Award and was selected for an online “Flower Power” exhibition presented by Camelback Gallery, U.S. Her art was selected for “50 Shades of Red” online exhibition at The Artist Lounge, U.K. Her painting “Carpe Diem” from this exhibition was featured in the Art Magazine ( partnership King House Gallery and The Artist Lounge)

Yvonne is also a winner in the 2020 American Art Awards. She received awards in two other categories including the best portrait and 2nd Place for her painting “Showing My Vanity”. In November, 2019, Yvonne placed 5th in the political category of the American Art Awards 2019.

Three Graces, (Judith Leyster, Yvonne Welman, and Lita Cabellut), acrylic on canvas, 47″ x 31.5″

Yvonne  has exhibited at the Gender Institute of the University at Maastricht, Virtual FemArt Museum Amsterdam, CODA Museum Apeldoorn, and Basel Week Swiss among other venues.

She received her education at the Academy of Arts Tilburg, the Netherlands. Because she wanted to hone her skills as a painter, she took lessons in 16th and 17th century oil painting techniques. She was a teacher in arts and art history for many years.  She is a member of the Dutch artists societies NABK and BOK. 

Yvonne was selected as a featured artist on the Artsy Shark website. She was also a finalist in the contest of Artavita. She received an Award of Excellence for the contest competing for publication on the cover of International Contemporary Master 13 book.  She also received a Special Merit Award for the “9th Botanical Exhibition” from Light, Space & Time online art gallery.

Comment on Klimt, acrylic, fabric on canvas, 58″ x 59″

Manhattan Arts International gave Yvonne an Award of Excellence in its juried competition “New Beginnings” two years consecutively. She also won an Award of Merit in its “Hot Topics Bold Expressions” exhibition which was co-juried by James Bacchi, co-owner of ArtHaus Gallery in San Francisco, CA. 

Additional awards include 6th finalist for the “Schilderij van het Jaar” painting contest and three Certificates of Excellence awards from Palm-Art-Award Germany, among others. 

Banner image: Dance Macabre Event, painting, 118.24″ x 47.24″.

Visit Yvonne Welman’s website www.yvonne-welman.com

Join Yvonne Welman on Social Media
Facebook: Yvonnewelmanart
Instagram: yvonnewelmanart