Meet the artist: Rep Ringel

When did you first start painting? Were you born with a paint palette in hand, or did your interest in art develop over time?

I only started painting some two years ago. I have been creating things all my life, but I had not yet tried my hand at painting. After having earned my living for a few years as a DJ, I ended up in the graphic profession. In 1990, I started my own design agency ‘Ringel Design’. Many of my customers came from the fashion and cosmetics industry. Creativity is in my blood. I inherited this from my parents; my mother was a fashion designer and my father a poet. In recent years, the need arose to create work without a client being involved. Just working for myself, with no customer or consumer to find it beautiful… Maybe painting was the thing for me.

Was there a moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist?

One day, a good friend of mine came to my door with some canvases and paint. These are for you, he said… From that moment, I was gripped by the subject matter: paint. I invested in good paint and quality canvases and began experimenting.

How can you describe your own style?

The paintings I make are usually big; their size is between one and eight square metres. I paint abstract, raw unpolished images, mostly in natural tints. The paintings radiate tranquillity.

Do you have a personal favourite piece? Can you think of a piece that was particularly fun to work on?

All the paintings I make are dear to me. I find it difficult to name a favourite painting. Where do you derive your inspiration from? Do you have a painting which inspires you? I make my paintings under the influence of music. The music helps get me into a certain state of mind, which inspires me to create images on the canvas. I try as it were to translate the layers of music into layers of images on the canvas. The music that inspires me can be very different. Generally, it is not the most commercial musicians or bands.

Which artist of the past would you most like to meet?

Maybe it would have been nice to meet Andy Warhol. He also had something with graphics, with music and he tried to be innovative.

What is your favourite art gallery/museum and why?

The TATE Modern museum in London made an enormous impression on me. The architectural space alone is worth the visit.

What was the last exhibition you went to?

CODA Apeldoorn, Paper Art… a really beautiful exhibition of different artists who made things from paper objects.

Which artist materials do you use and why?

I use Old Holland New Masters and ARA Acrylics. The paint’s texture is good to work with and the pigments are of excellent quality.

Visit the website of Rep www.repringel.com