“When I paint, having obtained the right attitude and inspiration on the right moment, the act of painting converts in a state of being.”

Karel Stoop has been born in the south of The Netherlands in a numerous artistic family, which made that he was introduced to painting already at a very young age. He had an academic art education in The Netherlands and studied multimedia at the university in Barcelona. He made plenty of journeys to Asia, Middle East, North Africa, USA and all over Europe. He lived periods in Amsterdam, Ibiza and Barcelona and made exhibitions all over. His works can be found in private collections and some museums. Actually he lives and works for large periods in Barcelona (Spain) and has his professional residence in Oosterhout in The Netherlands.

Karel has developed his own experimental process to create each unique piece, utilizing oils, pigments and industrial tools. He produces a melody of color, line and ombre tones. Karel’s artworks have been exhibited internationally and acquired by public and private collectors. His main inspiration is the universe and the awareness of being alive.

“I consider myself as a traveler and observer, expressing my reality and relation with the universe through painting.”

"My work is based on a multivision that can change constantly and in which change is central. It depends on the feelings, the inspiration, the discoveries, the need for expression, the environment, personal condition and even doubt and weakness play an important role. Inside this process, everything is in function of manifesting, molding and discovering my artistic identity and free myself from external influences and collective perceptions. Discover who I am and give it meaning, based on perception sensory, emotions, ambition and existential need. This working method also requires an attitude towards life. This often means an isolated existence to limit influence and collective identifications . But also being often in movement, due to the performative and meditative elements of my work. Unlike my isolated way of working, the external influences and inspirations are essential. That's why I often visit museums, exhibitions, conferences and art fairs. These visits often mean an expansion of my visual vocabulary that unconsciously influences my way of working. Contact with other artists, painters, composers and writers is also a special added value and opens doors to collaborations. My work avoids pretensions and rational approach and is more emotional, irrational and intuitive by nature. This allows me to hint at other dimensions of (my) reality and make them communicable. The results of my work can evoke new sensations in visitors or awaken unconscious aspects that are different for each one."