ABOUT BERNADETTE STERK
Bernadette Sterk is a dutch self-taught artist currently living in Utrecht. She comes from an artistic family as her uncle and cousin are quite re-known artists in the Netherlands.
Bernadette Sterk is currently part of st-Art Amsterdam. To know more about her or to purchase an artwork by Bernadette Sterk go here.
Hello Bernadette, may you tell us what pushed you to make art?
I approached art through my uncle Harry Sterk, a well-known artist in the Netherlands, and my cousin Gabriel Sterk, a globally renowned sculptor.
As soon as I could, at the age of 18, I chose an artistic education myself. I was accepted at both the Art Academy of Utrecht and The Teacher’s Education and chose this last one. During those years, I discovered my talent for teaching art for secondary education.
Alongside my job as a teacher, I created my surrealist art projects in drawing and coloring techniques.
After recovering from 2 burnouts, I became a professional artist and started working with acrylic on linen.
Do you remember your first artwork?
My first artistic work was also my first oversized linen, with the title The Power of Movement and was nominated Painting of the Year Awards! (2013)
It was the start of my career as a professional artist. I felt the power of movement in my system.
Tell us about your art practice: The reasons why do you do it, what are you willing to express, and if you have a precise style and technique.
I create to create myself. Through my artwork, I become closer to who I am. My awareness of my more in-depth emotions, sometimes issues and blockades, increased from the moment I started to paint. During this process, I am aware of my paintings’ impact that I realize I create to create myself! It’s beautiful, sometimes hard, but always an exceptional process to understand life. I feel more understanding and love for myself afterward.
Is there an art movement that represents your work?
Emotional Portrait Art, although I have no intention of portraying the models. Instead, I am interested in creating images that express my own more profound emotions.
During one of my series, I got involved with an issue while depicting one of the models. When I felt overwhelmed, I just destroyed the painting. The following day, I saw this text from Oscar Wilde, which became my favorite quote: ‘Every portrait painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not the sitter.’
It sure encouraged me to continue, making each portrait my own ‘representation.’
It’s a big gift if other people recognize themselves looking at my art and say, “it touches my soul.”
Tell us something more about your technique.
I have studied art and have a teaching degree, but my style is self-taught. Painting began with the discovery of the Princeton catalyst, using it as a tool to bring exciting additions to my technical skills. I like to use background colors as an essential part of the portrait.
Using Acrylic paint on professional linen and aluminum frames are mainly what I do.
Finding the connection between the images, the title, and the look of each piece of artwork is essential to define my style.
Which are your favorite methods to find inspiration for your work?
I like to see other artwork, talk with the artists about personal motives, approaches, and techniques. It’s so inspiring!
I wouldn’t say I like to travel, and I enjoy visiting mostly my favorite art exhibitions, so I get inspired mainly by Instagram. But I am also inspired by all kinds of artworks. Sometimes it could be just a stroke of color or texture or even lyrics in songs or books.
What do you think about social media around art and artists?
It is compelling and overwhelming because of the large amount of worldwide information and images. I love it but need to control my boundaries in bringing in so many incentives and provocations.
You have organized exhibitions in the past. How does it feel to involve others in your art?
I’ve had several exhibitions, and it’s fantastic to see how long some people can watch a painting without saying a word and then turn around to express such personal comments. It excites me to know it did touch their soul. Hearing and seeing these reactions is such a gift.
Is there a famous contemporary artist that affects your work?
Lita Cabellut and Denis Sarazhin. Jaya Suberg and Giuliano Macca inspire me a lot because of their artistic research.
How would you like people to engage with your work?
Painting has brought me a lot. My most significant motivation is seeing my talent as a gift to myself. First and foremost, I paint for my joy. When I end a painting, I enjoy presenting it to the world, and I hope that the viewers will receive strength and purpose from it.
Do you have anything exciting on the horizon?
I am so excited I will get published in the Dutch Art Book Nationale Kunstjaarboek 2021 and the prestigious Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine, issue 21.
If you could show off your artwork anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Cologne, Milan.
