Hans van Haalen
| Artist Name: | Hans van Haalen |
| Main Focus: | Painting |
| Usual Medium: | Watercolour |
| Art Groups: | Artists Society of Canberra Goulburn & District Art Society |
| State: | Australian Capital Territory |
| Exhibits Art: | Yes |
| Online Sales: | Yes |
| Tuition: | No |
| Commissions: | Yes |
Background
Artist Statement
I first started painting in watercolours in 2013 and have branched into acrylics in 2019. My main subjects are landscapes and botanical studies.
I am passionate about the outdoor environment and travel. This features strongly in my work. I work on 300gsm rough paper with watercolours, this allows the beautiful texture of the paper to emerge and the unpredictability of watercolour adds to the beauty of recording vivid memories. Using acrylics, I work with palette knives on board.
My subject matter records experiences of my life’s journeys, a most recent set of works set in Greece shows a series of doors that have survived the ravages of time, yet ask the question: What stories and memories do these hold? Another series is based on a winter walk in Namadgi National Park.
Many of my acrylic works have been inspired by the magnificent eucalypts of our National Parks.
My works endeavour to capture the simple beauty of colour that light throws up around us and they most often depict different environments encountered in my travels.
Training
Artist Background - Training
I have studied under Julian Bruere, a watercolourist and former Victorian Artist of the Year in Melbourne, in 2014 & 2015 and Helen Burrows a botanical artist, at the Melbourne Botanical Gardens in 2014 & 2015.
I attended the Artist Society of Canberra 5 day Summer School Art Experience in 2016 & 2019 engaging in workshops by Leonie Norton, Chan Dissanayake, Barry & Lucy McCann. I also attended a 2 day workshop by Chan in Goulburn in 2018. I completed a 2 day workshop with renowned Melbourne watercolourist, Herman Pekel, in 2021.
For the past 5 years I have been a member of a Creative Drawing group led by Tim Hardy and we work at the M16 Art Space in Kingston.
Art Group Memberships
I am a member of both the Artists Society of Canberra (ASOC) and the Goulburn District Artists Society (GDAS).
Exhibitions:
2015
- Brunswick Street Gallery, Victoria – Small Works Prize Exhibition
- Victorian Artists Society, Melbourne – Student/Teacher Exhibition
- Domain House Gallery, Melbourne - reFraming Nature, a Natural History Art Exhibition
2016
- Queanbeyan Arts Society – City Walk Exhibition, ACT
- Artists Society of Canberra, Albert Hall, ACT – Spring Exhibition
- Annual All Saints Community Exhibition, Ainslie, ACT
- Two Friends Exhibition – Urambi Community Centre, ACT
- Artists Society of Canberra Christmas Art Fair – Fitters Hall, Kingston, ACT
2017
- Annual All Saints Community Exhibition, Ainslie, ACT
- Artists Society of Canberra, Albert Hall, ACT – Spring Exhibition
- Radford Art Show, ACT
- Friends of Australian National Botanic Gardens, 10th Annual Exhibition – National Botanic Gardens, ACT
2018
- Café Exhibition, Coolamon Court, ACT
- Goulburn Arts Society ‘Rose’ Exhibition, NSW
- Radford Art Show, ACT
- Solo Exhibition - Bungendore Fine Art Gallery, NSW
- Annual All Saints Community Exhibition, Ainslie, ACT
- Artists Society of Canberra, Fitters Hall, Kingston, ACT – Spring Exhibition
2019
- ‘Drawn Together’ Group Exhibition, Kyeema Gallery, Hall, ACT
- Goulburn Arts Society ‘Rose’ Exhibition, NSW
- ‘Same Time, Same Place’ Group Exhibition, M16 Gallery, Kingston, ACT
- Taralga Art Show, NSW
- ‘Pulp Art’, Group Exhibition, Front Gallery, Lyneham, ACT
- ASOC Annual Spring Exhibition, Fitters Hall, Kingston, ACT
- Marulan, NSW, Kite Festival Art Exhibition
- Goulburn Arts Society Annual Prize Exhibition, Goulburn Workers Club
2020
- ‘Meanderings’, 2 person exhibition with Lesley Burrows at Kyeema Gallery, Hall, ACT
- ASOC Annual Spring Exhibition, Fitters Hall, Kingston, ACT
2021
- Group Exhibition, Dirty Jane’s Gallery, Fyshwick, ACT
- Goulburn Workers Club Annual Art Prize Exhibition, Goulburn, NSW
- ASOC Annual Spring Exhibition, Fitters Workshop, Kingston, ACT
Art Work in Private Collections:
My works have been purchased and currently hang in homes in USA, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Airey’s Inlet (Vic), Bendigo (Vic), Merimbula (NSW), Bungendore (NSW). I have completed a number of commissions.
Awards & Achievements Include:
2017 – Artists Society of Canberra Spring Exhibition – 2nd Prize, Watercolour
2018 – Artists Society of Canberra Spring exhibition – Highly Commended, Watercolour
2019 – Marulan Kite Festival Art Show – 1st Prize, Painting and Drawing Section
Contact the Artist
Email Address
hans.vanhaalen49@gmail.com