When I painted this scene, I thought back to my own childhood memories of sun-drenched days by the sea - those moments when the world felt infinite, full of promise and discovery. With this work, I wanted to capture that feeling of unfiltered wonder and boundless courage that only a child can possess. The little girl standing at the edge of the ocean embodies both vulnerability and determination. The bright yellow sky and deep blue water reflect the duality of that moment - the calm and chaos, the vastness of nature and the concentrated world of her imagination. Her small hand grips a lively shovel on the beach, a deep but simple symbol of resistance to the inevitable rhythm of the tide. That modest sand castle, formed grain by grain, is more than a playful creation; it is resilience, it is effort, it is the belief that even fleeting joys deserve to be proud of. Above all, I wanted this painting to evoke the freedom of those endless, carefree summers. The gentle rhythm of crashing waves serves as a backdrop to her small but vibrant world, reminding each of us what it feels like to be small but unwaveringly brave, steadfast in the face of something much bigger than ourselves.
Jan Keteleer, known in the art world as JanKé, is a Belgian artist whose work flows seamlessly between the realms of classical and contemporary art. With an eye for both tradition and innovation, his creations transcend time, encompassing styles as varied as pop art, impressionism,.. Read more…