About Madelène van der Linden
My name is Madelène van der Linden and painting has been a great passion for almost all my life. Creativity has always played an important role in my life. Whereas I used to work mainly with water colours and murals, I found my real freedom the moment I started painting with acrylic paint on canvas. This type of paint gives me the space to experiment, combine and discover new techniques all the time.
Acrylic colours mix very well with different materials. By adding textures and other elements, I can bring depth, movement and feeling to my work. This constant experimentation makes each painting unique and keeps my creativity flowing.
Besides painting, I also make handmade jewellery, including from clay, wood, glass, straw and various kinds of beads. I paint these by hand and then incorporate them into my African paintings. This creates real 3D elements in the work, which gives my paintings extra character and liveliness.
Working method
My painting process almost always starts with the background. I mix colours, build layers and try to capture a certain atmosphere or emotion. Sometimes there is already a story behind it, sometimes it arises later. For me, the background forms the basis of the painting.
When it is dry, I start sketching my African ladies. During this process, inspiration grows naturally. I think about
