Marleen Pennings

Originally from The Netherlands, but currently based in Germany, I’m a visual artist, working primarily in painting. After graduating in Fashion Design and Illustration, I founded my studio ‘Stroke a Bird’.
I worked in Fashion Design, and in commission as a stylist and illustrator for several years, before fully concentrating on developing my painting skills and techniques, both figurative and abstract. I wanted to feel more in touch with the organic process of creating.
I usually work on multiple pieces at the same time, over a longer period of time, exploring the interaction and confrontation this process creates. Finding the subtile balance, provides an additional language. The process of a painting can go anywhere, anytime. It inspires me to not know where it’s going. But it can be inhibitory, too. Sometimes, I can feel hesitant to begin such a process. There’s so much in it.

Instagram: @strokeabird

Colour has an important role in the decision-making. I love the process of mixing and layering colours. My use and mixing of colours is creating ever-changing perspectives with an off-balance in the depth and story of the images. Transparent and opaque mix, interspersed with hints of graphic forms. Piling them on top of each other, new transparencies, letting through a shiver from the previous layer. Depth, a new colour, slightly off.
My work has been exhibited, solo or as part of group exhibitions, in The Netherlands, Germany, England and the United States, and is represented around the world by London-based GAS Gallery. It’s also being featured in various online and printed publications and magazines.

Where would you like your work to take you?

New possibilities and good vibes.

Which part of your creative process do you enjoy most?

The process of making new colours, is my favourite. I'm very precise about the colours I mix, I really think there is power in the nuances of the colours and how they are collaborating or collapsing in my work. I repaint certain parts multiple times with a colour mixed just slightly different.

I don't have a lot of different colour tubes to paint from, but a lot of favourite colour recipes to mix by hand.

It's very balancing to mix a colour from the existing palette, rather than squeezing it readymade out of a tube.

I'm most happy when I'm in this part of my creative process.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from things that are a bit off. In many possible ways: a power box on the street painted bright pink, an unusual outfit combination from someone or the way a song skips a beat.

I think the contrasts in daily life are beautiful in their imperfection and I'm translating these contrasts in my work.

What piece of music would you say compliments your work the most?

When I'm painting, I mostly listen to podcasts. It's very relaxing.

I'm in love with a lot of songs, from very different artists. So, it's difficult to name one piece of music.

But, I'm a big Nick Cave fan, that would probably be good music to listen to, when you're looking at my work. Or Van Morrison.

Can you list a couple other creatives/friends/people you look to for inspiration?

My longtime favourites are Walter van Beirendonck, Roísin Murphy, Martin Parr, Dries van Noten and Francis Bacon.

And I get very happy when I look at the work of Vincent Hawkins (@vincent_hawkins_) , Manon Steyaert (@manonsteyaertart) , Gerard Waskievitz (@gerardwaskievitz), Joe Packer (@joe_packer_) , Victor Benzin (@victor.benzin) , Fredrik Åkum (@fredrikakum) and Jenetta de Konink (@j.de.konink)