UNKnowN X Creative Journeys - Kees te Kolsté Solo

AK: Kees, tell me more about yourself.

^{KK: I was born in Muiderberg and grew up moving frequently due to family circumstances. My mother took me to museums from a young age, and my father had a lamp shop next to the Stedelijk Museum, so I was always surrounded by art. The Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum was where I truly fell in love with painting.}

AK: What was it about painting that captivated you?

^{KK: When I was six, I saw The Night Watch, and it left a huge impression on me. But my real passion started with Japanese art. Van Gogh collected Japanese prints, and I visited the museum for that rather than his own work. My artistic journey began with Asian influences before I explored Western art.}

AK: Did you grow up around artists?

^{KK: Yes, my stepfamily included artists, and one of them even made her own paint. I spent a lot of time with a graphic designer who worked with drypoint, lithographs, and woodcuts. By the time I was ten, I understood many printmaking techniques just by watching them work.}

AK: When did you start painting seriously?

^{KK: At twelve, I knew I wanted to be an artist. That was also when I became a Buddhist. My interest in Asian art led me to Buddhism, but judo also played a role. Many Japanese martial arts are linked to Zen Buddhism, and that connection fascinated me.}

AK: How does martial arts influence your painting?

^{KK: Both require discipline and repetition. In martial arts, you repeat movements thousands of times to master them. The same applies to painting. Meditation is also important—Buddhism teaches visualization, and for an artist, visualizing is crucial. I often paint from images in my mind rather than from reality.}

AK: What inspires you to start a new piece?

^{KK: It varies. Sometimes I have a clear idea; other times, it happens naturally. I never make sketches—I find them limiting. If I already see the painting in my mind, I lose interest in executing it. The process has to flow and surprise me.}

AK: Do you experiment often?

^{KK: Always. Experimentation is what keeps painting exciting. Sometimes you think you have a great idea, and it completely fails. Other times, you start with nothing, and it turns into something amazing. That’s the thrill of painting—you never fully control it.}

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AK: How would you describe your style?

^{KK: Expressionistic. Sometimes abstract, sometimes figurative, but always expressive. I work in layers, often transparent, so different images emerge depending on how you look at the painting. I also played with rotating paintings to see how perspectives shift. People like to categorize art, but I don’t care about that. I do what I want.}

AK: Do you title your paintings?

^{KK: I prefer not to. Titles force an interpretation, and I’d rather let people see what they want. Sometimes, others give my paintings names, which I don’t mind—unless it’s something completely unrelated, like when someone called a painting Ibiza, which had nothing to do with me.}

AK: How long have you been painting?

^{KK: Since I was twelve. I’m now 64, so that’s 52 years of painting nearly every day. I’ve probably spent more time painting than sleeping.}

AK: How many paintings have you sold?

^{KK: Around 2,000, including works on paper and canvas. I’ve also given away many pieces. Art isn’t a typical product—people who buy it often do so to support the artist, not just to own something beautiful.}

AK: Has the art world changed in your lifetime?

^{KK: Definitely. Art used to be everywhere—at the dentist, in public spaces. Now, many buildings are designed without space for art. I don’t know why, but I feel like there was a period when people became less interested. Maybe that will change again. Having art in your home makes a difference in how you feel.}

AK: Does technology play a role in your work?

^{KK: Not at all. I don’t use projections or digital tools. My process is as traditional as it gets—just paint, a surface, and my hands.}

AK: What advice would you give young artists?

^{KK: Follow your own path. Don’t let others define you. Struggle can be a great motivator. Success isn’t always helpful—it can trap you into making the same work repeatedly. Rothko painted squares over and over, and I think it made him miserable. The joy is in exploration, in asking, “What should I create now?”}

AK: Any unexpected influences on your work?

^{KK: Jimi Hendrix. More than any painter. His total creative freedom was inspiring. He didn’t care what others thought—he just played. That kind of artistic fearlessness is something I strive for in painting.}

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