Nature in Sonja's work

For plein-air artist Sonja Brussen, nature is the greatest source of inspiration. She sets out to capture the moment, the speed of light, the change of clouds. It is an ongoing hunt and a daily quest to capture light, air and space. Nature has fascinated her from a young age, and she captures it with a minimum of human influences.

Her powerful works, which connect Impressionism and Expressionism, are painted alla prima (wet-on-wet) by Sonja Brussen. Her technique and use of colour are strong and very personal. In the field, she is influenced by what is going on in nature: sun, cold, wind, rain. All these influences contribute to the creation and the atmosphere of her work. For her, that includes the sound of nature: the birds, the wind, a splash in the water and the rustle in the bushes. That feeling of nature is so intense that, when you look at her work, you immediately experience being in the middle of that piece of nature. You therefore not only look at an image of nature, but you are, as it were, part of it.

 

Trained by passionate teachers and followed the upgrade course at ArteZ (University of the Arts), she is constantly innovating. She has been working as a professional visual artist in Lochem since 1998. She has been a member of the Dutch Association of Sea Painters since 2016. 

Harry J. Kraaij, art historian

Her paintings have been purchased and included in collections by collectors/companies in: the Netherlands, Germany, France, Thailand, Ireland, England, USA, Singapore, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Scotland, Sweden.

Awards

  • Rembrandt Painting Award 2016.
  • Art in the Open Contest Ierland 2013.
  • Nominee Painting Award in 2015.
  • Artist-in-residence, Noordwijk 2019.
  • Artist-in-residence, Urk 2018.
  • Artist-in-residence, Lamu 2017.​​​​​​

Galleries

  • Gallery Posthuys, Texel.
  • Gallery Année, Haarlem.
  • Gallery Pfundt, Berlijn.
  • Morren Galleries, Utrecht.
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Appingedam.
  • Kunst of Art Zutphen/Galerie 1880.
  • Gallery Hoeve Rijlaarsdam, Nieuwkoop.
  • Gallery Drentsche Aa, Balloo.
  • Gallery Rits Art, Maassluis. 

Museums

  • Museum Staal, Almen, Solo 2020/2021.
  • Watermuseum, Arnhem, 2021.
  • Museum Muzee, Scheveningen, 2019.
  • Museum De Casteelse Poort 2018.
  • Museum Møhlmann  2016  t/m 2022.
  • Stadsmuseum Doetinchem.
  • Fries Scheepvaart museum, 2016.
  • Museum Noordwijk 2015.
  • ​Museum Opsterland 2015.

Exhibitions

2025

  • Gallery Bonnard, Nuenen, "Geschilderd landschap", Start, 13 april 2025.
  • Naarden the Artfair 2025, Gallery Bonnard, 25 t/m 28 jan 2025. 
  • Huntenkunst, contemporary art fair, 23, 24 en 25 mei 2025. 
  • Gallery Rijlaarsdam, Nieuwkoop, 15 nov t/m 3 mar 2025. 
  • Painting festival Noordwijk,  9 juni t/m 15 juni 2025. 

2024

  • Gallery Année, Impresionism en plein air,  23 nov t/m 29 dec 2024. 
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Garrelsweer, 18 okt t/m 15 dec 2024.
  • Gallery Rijlaarsdam, 13 juli t/m 18 oct 2024. 
  • Katwijk en Plein Air expositie,  29 juni t/m 22 sept 2024. 
  • Gallery Bonnard, 23 juni t/m 2 sept 2024. 
  • Gallery Posthuys, 17 juli t/m 8 sept 2024. 
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Garrelsweer, 21 juni t/m  6 okt 2024.
  • Gallery Drentsche Aa, Balloo, 12 mei t/m 15 sept 2024. 
  • Huntenkunst 2024, Uft, 24, 25, 26 mei 2024.  
  • Noordwijk Painting festival,  17 juni t/m 23 juni 2024. 
  • Katwijk en plein air, 29 juni t/m 5 juli 2024. 

2023

  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Garrelsweer, 28 okt t/m 18 dec 2022. 
  • Gallery Rijlaarsdam, Nieuwkoop, 17 nov t/m 27 feb 2022. 
  • Gallery Drentsche Aa, Balloo, "Wintersalon", t/m 26 mrt, 2023.
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Garrelsweer, 6 jan t/m 5 mrt, 2023.
  • Huntenkunst beurs, 12, 13 en 14 mei 2023.
  • Duna-atelier, Duo expositie, 14 april t/m 14 mei 2023.
  • Museum Møhlmann, Appingedam, 2 apr t/m 25 jun 2023. 
  • Painting festival Noordwijk, 19 t/m 25 juni 2023.  
  • Katwijk en plein air 2023, 1 t/m 8 juli 2023. 
  • Museum Møhlmann, Appingedam, ORT, 1 okt t/m 17 dec 2023.
  • Museum Møhlmann, Appingedam, 2 okt t/m 18 dec 2022.  

2022

  • Solo Gallery 1880, Laag Keppel, 19 may to 30 jun 2022.
  • Huntenkunst 2022, Ulft, 20, 21, 22 may 2022.
  • Gallery Année, Haarlem, 5 juni t/m eind aug, 2022. 
  • Watermuseum, Arnhem, 2 feb to 3 apr 2022.
  • Pulchri, Hague School exhibition, 2 dec 2021 to 29 jan 2022. 
  • Gallery Rijlaarsdam, Nieuwkoop, 2 jun t/m 5 sept 2022. 
  • Gallery Drentsche Aa, Balloo, 10 april t/m 29 mei 2022. 
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Garrelsweer, 13 mei t/m 3 juli 2022.
  • Painting festival Noordwijk, 20 to 26 juni 2022. 
  • Museum Møhlmann, Appingedam, ORT, 2 okt t/m 18 dec 2022.  
  • Gallery Posthuys, De Koog, work in stock 2022.
  • Gallery Pfundt, Berlijn, work in stock, 2022. 
  • Gallery RitsArt, Maassluis, work in stock, 2021. 

2021

  • Pulchri, Hague School exhibition, 2 Dec 2021 to 29 Jan 2022. 
  • Zandvoorts Museum, Zandvoort, 7 May to 15 Aug 2021. 
  • Museum Staal, Solo, Almen, 2 jun 2020 to 28 Mar 2021. 
  • Schilderfestival Noordwijk, Noordwijk, 5 to 11 July 2021. 
  • Gallery Drentsche Aa, Balloo,  24 May to eind Juli 2021. 
  • Katwijk en Plein Air 2021, 28 Aug to 4 Sept 2021. 
  • Museum Møhlmann, Appingedam, 8 Aug to 3 Oct 2021.
  • Museum Møhlmann (ORT), Appingedam, 10 Oct to 19 Dec 2021. 
  • Gallery Année, Haarlem, 21 Nov to 30 Jan 2021. 
  • Gallery Pfundt, Berlijn, Dec to Jan 2021. 
  • Gallery Posthuys, De Koog, 2 Sep to 28 Feb 2021. 
  • Zandvoorts Museum, Zandvoort, 7 May to 15 Aug 2021. 
  • Schilderfestival Noordwijk 2021, 5 to 11 July 2021.
  • Museum Staal, Solo, Almen, 2 Jun 2020 to 28 Mar 2021. 
  • Gallery Année, Haarlem, 21 Nov to 30 Jan 2021. 
  • Gallery Pfundt, Berlijn, Dec to Jan 2021. 
  • Gallery Posthuys, De Koog, 2 Sep to 28 Feb 2021. 
  • Huntenkunst 2021, Ulft (afgelast)
  • Haagse Schooldag 4 Sep, Nieuwkoop, 2021. 
  • Katwijk en Plein Air 2021, 28 Aug to 4 Sept,  2021. 

2020

  • Museum Staal, Solo, Almen, 2 Jun 2020 to 28 Mar 2021.
  • Museum Møhlmann, ORT, Appingedam, 4 Okt to 20 Dec 2020. 
  • Gallery Posthuys, De Koog, 2 Sep to 13 Dec 2020. 
  • Gallery Année, "En plein air", Haarlem, 21 Nov to 9 Jan 2020. 
  • Gallery Pfundt, Berlijn, Dezemberaustellung, 2020. 
  • Gallery Drentsche Aa, Balloo, to 29 Nov 2020.
  • Gallery  Année, Haarlem, 11 Jul t/m 15 Aug 2020. 
  • Katwijk en Plein Air, (expositie), 4 Jul t/m 27 Sep 2020. 
  • Museum Møhlmann, Appingedam, 2 Aug t/m 27 Sep 2020. 
  • Katwijk en Plein Air 2020, Katwijk, 27 Jun to 4 Jul 2020.
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Appingedam, in stock, 2020.
  • Gallery TON, Rucphen, 15 Mar t/m 12 Apr 2020.
  • Huntenkunst 2020, cancelled,  Corona crisis.
  • Schilderfestival Noordwijk, Sep,  2020.
  • Naarden The Art Fair, Galerie Année,  23-26 Jan 2020.
  • Gallery Année, Haarlem, Jan t/m 29 Feb 2020.

 

2019

  • Gallery Année, Haarlem, 2019.
  • Affordable Artfair, Amsterdam, Gallery Année  2019.
  • Gallery Posthuys, De Koog, 2019.
  • Museum Møhlmann, 21e ORT, 2019.
  • Gallery Tolg Árt, Wierden, 2019.
  • Gallery TON, Rucphen, 2019.
  • Gallery Ritsart, Maassluis, 2019.
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Appingedam, 2019.  
  • Gallery Drentsche Aa, Balloo, 2019.
  • Gallery Het Raadhuis, Eenrum, 2019.
  • Museum Møhlmann, Appingedam, 2019.
  • ​Gallery Drentsche Aa, Balloo, 2019. 
  • Gallery Année, Haarlem, Winter-expositie.2019/2020.
  • Schilderfestival Noordwijk, 2019. 
  • Huntenkunst 2019, Ulft, 2019.
  • Museum Muzee, Scheveningen, 2019.
  • Gallery Pfundt, Berlijn, 2019.
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Appingedam, 2019.
  • Artist-in-residence Schilderfestival Noordwijk, 2019.​​
It's happening, oil on canvas, 100 x 140 cm, 2019. #art #impressionist #sonjabrussen

Previous exhibitions

  • Gallery Het Raadhuis, Solo-expositie, 2018.
  • Gallery Année, Haarlem, 2018.
  • Gallery Pfundt, Berlijn, 2019.
  • Gallery Posthuys, De Koog, 2018.
  • Gallery Posthuys, "En plein air", 2018.
  • Museum Møhlmann, Appingedam, 2018.
  • Gallery Drentsche Aa, Balloo, 2018.
  • Gallery Het Raadhuis, Eenrum, 2018.
  • Museum De Casteelse Poort, 2018.
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Appingedam, 2018.
  • Pittoresk Urk, Artist in residence 2018.
  • Gallery van Strien, Nieuw Amsterdam, 2018.
  • Gallery Visée, Diepenheim, 2018.
  • Huntenkunst, Contemporary Arts 2018.
  • Painting festival Noordwijk 2018.
  • Gallery Polhus, Nijkerk, 2018.
  • Gallery Drentsche Aa, Wintersalon, 2018.
  • Morren Galleries, Utrecht, 2017.
  • Gallery Posthuys, Texel, 2017.
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Appingedam, 2017.
  • Gallery Het Raadhuis, Eenrum, 2017.
  • Gallery Wind, Rotterdam, 2017.
  • Gallery Polhus, Nijkerk, 2017.
  • Gallery Drentsche Aa, Balloo, 2017.
  • Lamu Painters festival, Kenia, 2017.
  • Gallery Visée, Diepenheim, Duo-expo 2017.
  • Gallery de Burgerij, Vorden, 2017.
  • Gallery Tolg Art, Wierden, 2017.
  • Morren Galleries, Amsterdam 2016.
  • Morren Galleries, Utrecht 2016.
  • Gallery Année, Haarlem 2016.
  • Gallery Posthuys, Texel 2016.
  • Fries Scheepvaart museum, Sneek 2016.
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Niezijl, 2016.
  • Gallery Het Raadhuis, Eenrum, 2016.
  • Gallery Polhus, Nijkerk, 2016.
  • Gallery Het Raadhuis, Eenrum 2016.
  • Museum Møhlmann, Appingedam 2016.
  • Gallery Het Raadhuis, Eenrum 2016.
  • Gallery Visée, Diepenheim, Duo-expo 2016.
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Niezijl 2016.
  • Gallery B aan Cee, Noordwijk 2016.
  • Gallery Tolg Art,Wierden, Duo-exhibition 2016.
  • Galerie Drentsche Aa, Balloo 2016
  • Painting festivalNoordwijk 2013 t/m 2019.
  • Museum Noordwijk, 2015.
  • Gallery Ruigewaert, Niezijl Duo-expositie.
  • Museum Opsterland, Gorredijk 2015.
  • Gallery Année, Haarlem 2015.
  • Gallery Het Raadhuis, Eenrum 2015.
  • Solo, Gallery Dutch Accent, Amsterdam 2015.
  • Solo, Kunstvereeniging Katwijk 2014.
  • Solo, Galerie de Burgerij, Vorden 2014.
  • Kunst10daagse Bergen 2013.
  • Gallery PR2, Amsterdam 2013.
  • Glory painting festival, Bergen aan zee 2013. 
  • Gallery Lenten, Epse expositie 2013 / 2014.
  • Art in the Open 2013, Wexford (Ierland) 2013.
  • Gallery Kriegershof, Zutphen 2012, 2013, 2014.
  • Gallery PR2, "Salon d Amsterdam" Amsterdam 2013.
  • Passie op de Kruisberg, Land art project 2013 / 2011.
  • Kunst in Ootmarsum 2012.
  • Gallery Storm, Amsterdam 2012.
  • Deelname KIM beurs, Arnhem 2011.
  • Gallery PR2, Amsterdam 2013.
  • Solo-expositie, Galerie Visée, Diepenheim 2006.
  • KWR 2012, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006 Land art projecten.
  • Van 1999 t/m 2011 Kunstenaarsnetwerk Het Web.
  • Solo, Galerie Het Web Doetinchem 2004.
  • Open Stal, Oldeberkoop, Friesland 2007 op uitnodiging.