Nicolaas is an abstract expressionist artist whose work is guided by inner reflection, Eastern philosophy, and a lifelong pursuit of mindful awareness. His paintings are lyrical and atmospheric, carrying a quiet ethereal quality that invites stillness rather than explanation. Each canvas is approached as a space for feeling rather than form, where emotion, texture, and intuition lead the way.

Drawn to the physicality of paint, Nicolaas works with large brushes and expressive movement, allowing oil paint to build depth through texture and flow. He resists detailed realism, choosing instead to explore the emotional terrain of a surface. The result is work that feels expansive and contemplative, often suspended between serenity and melancholy.

Music plays a significant role in his practice. A lifelong study of classical music informs the rhythm and tonal balance of his compositions, while oil remains his preferred medium for its richness and emotional weight. This sensitivity is further shaped by his deep connection to the ocean. As a keen scuba diver, Nicolaas draws inspiration from the vastness, intensity, and quiet mystery of underwater worlds. These experiences surface in bold contrasts, layered movement, and a sense of depth that feels both immersive and introspective.

Although he did not begin his career as a painter, Nicolaas’s academic background in theology, philosophy, and clinical psychology has profoundly shaped his artistic framework. His interests in science, astronomy, geology, and history further inform the conceptual undercurrents of his work. Together, these disciplines form a foundation that allows his paintings to hold complexity without demanding interpretation.

Mindfulness sits at the core of his process. Through daily rituals and intentional routines, Nicolaas strives to remain present, observing the world with a passive, non judgemental awareness. This approach translates directly onto the canvas, where each painting is allowed to exist on its own terms. He believes the work should speak for itself, offering space for personal reflection rather than prescribed meaning.

Nicolaas’ work brings calm intensity and emotional depth into a space. His paintings offer a place to pause, breathe, and reconnect, creating environments that feel grounded, contemplative, and quietly powerful.