Portrait Artist Karin Merx | My Story Told
I am Karin Merx, an artist based in the Netherlands
I paint portraits as a story and seek to capture the inner beauty
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Artist Statement
Karin is a vibrant, Netherlands-based, classically trained portrait painter and Art Historian (MA) who infuses her work with both deep emotion and a splash of bold, unexpected color. Her paintings are like conversations with the soul—capturing the hidden beauty and untold stories within every face. With a brush in hand, Karin blends traditional Old Master techniques with fearless, lively hues, using oil and acrylics to create portraits that speak volumes.
Her passion for portraiture was sparked by a personal turning point—hitting rock bottom led her to rediscover the transformative power of art. It’s as though her journey through hardship unlocked a whole new world of expression. Social awareness is at the core of her creative process, and she channels it into projects that raise awareness about domestic violence, diversity, and representation. Her art book, We Share Our Stories: Survivors of Domestic Abuse and Black Queer Role Models—Painting for Unity, is a testament to her commitment to telling stories that matter.
Most recently, Karin’s love for the planet has come alive through Art for the Planet, a bold project focused on reforestation and shedding light on animals teetering on the edge of extinction. Whether she’s painting people, animals, or nature, her work is always driven by a belief that love is a powerful force for hope and change—and that art can flip the script on how we see the world.
Her portraits don’t just capture moments—they challenge, uplift, and invite you to see the beauty and complexity in everything around us.