"In my portraits, it is all about the expression, a feeling that I want to show the viewer. I capture a brief moment in time and translate it with paint in a portrait that consists of many layers, thoughts, and decisions, resulting in an original work of art that is as unique and authentic as the person portrayed."
Read a Q&A with Jennifer Koning
Talk to us about your work featured here. What are the main themes and ideas you explore in it?
This bird is in itself is such a wonderful work of art that most of us would want to have it up close to take a real good look. I am doing the same by exploring the peculiar shapes with my paint.... studying how the light falls around it and how the shiney eyes contrast with the velvety fethers, to name a few things. Because there is so much to see. Also I love to explore the combination of realism and abstract form and patters, wich is a delight to do with this gorgeous barn owl.
Describe your creative process.
My creative process starts with some small preliminary studies or sketches. That helps me to focus on what I want to paint, or show in my portrait, and also I use this small sketch to determine the size and shape of the painting that I am going to make. When I start the painting, this sketch still stays on the side to keep me on the chosen track but not too heavily... I will let the painting take its own turn if that happens. I mostly work on two different paintings alongside each other so this helps me to keep a fresh look at both, and also in deciding in my next steps in the painting and deciding when it's finished.
What are the main influences and inspirations behind your art?

Lots of Impressionist painters like Ilja Repin, Vincent van Gogh, George Henry, James Guthrie, Edgar Degas. I can go on for a while.. Gustav Klimt is also a big favorite and ofcourse there are lots of fantastic painter still alive that inspire me, like Antoinio Lopez, Pieter Pander, Brett Allen Johnson, and I could go on for a while!
What do you consider the strongest aspect of your work?
I am a portrait painter and what makes my work unique is that I portray an specific mood or expression. This is true for both my animal portrait- and my people portraits. So it is not -just- the personality that I portray, but a specific part of that.
What message or emotion do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your art?
Joy, when they look at it! I also hope that it makes them wonder for a moment... think about the effect it has on you when viewed, take closer look at how it has been made, and then just enjoy it.
What is the biggest challenge for an artist? What is the hardest part of this job?
I think the biggest challenge is -for starting artists especially- that you just have to work, try out, repeat, and stay close to yourself. And by doing just this you very slowly develop (or discover- is maybe a better way to put it) your own style, voice, subject. So stay working, stay authentic and at the same time stay patient because it just needs time and practice.
What is the most rewarding part of being an artist?
The ongoing improvement of the practice that I mention above, is for me the most rewarding part of being an artist.
How do you balance tradition and innovation in your practice?
I consider realistic painting with real paint and drawing with the most simple drawing materials like charcoal, are the traditional aspect in my art. Using those materials in a way that has not changed for hundreds of years excites me, as improving the skills to use those plain, simple materials, does.
Besides that I love to explore the effect that realism in combination with abstract shapes or patterns can have on each other. That is a combination that I often use in my work and I find there are endless ways in doing so.
What does "good art" mean to you? What makes a piece of art great?
The effect that it has on you, the moment you see it, makes a piece of art great.
(preferrably seeing it in real life)
What is the role of the artist today?
I think the role of the artist today is still to show people how much beauty there is. Let them view things in life differently, through another lens. To explore and train the senses.