De natuur zit vol wonderen

Hi, ik ben Kim Merel!

schrijver & illustrator van kinderboeken
en kunstenaar

De natuur zit vol wonderen en die wil ik vangen in een illustratie, schilderij of verhaal. Zodat we (weer) verbinden met die geweldige, wonderlijke natuur. Wat eigenlijk gek is, want wij zijn natuur! Daarover schrijf en illustreer ik kinderboeken bij Lemniscaat en maak schilderijen. Mijn werk ontstaat vaak in het bos, een veld of ergens buiten, met een kwast, schetsblok of idee. Ik heb een achtergrond in de biologie én beeldtaal en ik werk ook voor verschillende opdrachtgevers, zoals Freek Vonk, Roots Magazine en anderen. Benieuwd? Kijk dan verder!

Volg mijn reis op instagram

Meer schilderijen

De Studio Email

Zin in inspiratie en als eerste op de hoogte zijn van nieuwe schilderijen en kinderboeken?

JA, DAT WIL IK!

1/1

Verscheen in:

Jiehaa! Veeeel te lang geleden dat ik m’n eigen ‘creatieve natuur’ liet stromen. Dus kwast erbij, een bakje inspiratie gevuld en…. gaan 💫. In m’n happy-place 💕😊!

(Al moet ik er dus wel echt ff inkomen, merk ik. Zit nogal al snel in in mn hoofd. Heb dan wel een creatief brein, maar die schiet ook razendsnel in denken. Juist niet nodig hierbij 😜. Dat denken komt hierna wel weer! In al m’n andere creatieve dingen; schrijverij en illustreren. Oké, de creatieve natuur stroomde wel, maar net ff anders en da�’s helemaal oké 😉. Wie herkent dat je ook nogal veel wilt 😄?!).

Fijne zondag ☀️

Kijk nou, staat m’n vogelboekje gewoon in dit lijstje van beste kinderboeken van dit moment in @destandaard (dagblad in België) :D! En dan deze mooie woorden, nou... wat een eer! 💫 🐦‍⬛

What’s in a name 😄…!!

‘Vogels kijken is weer helemaal in, nu allerlei apps je helpen om ze te identificeren en hun gezang te herkennen. Wil je de liefde voor vogels aan kinderen doorgeven, dan kan je met dit boek al vroeg beginnen. Kim Merel (what’s in a name …) benoemt eerst de lichaamsdelen van de vogel, van snavel tot staart. Ze neemt je vervolgens mee naar de sloot, het bos, het strand, de tuin en de wei. Telkens leer je de namen van zes vogels en kan je er een eenvoudig zoekspel van maken: de vogels staan apart afgebeeld op een strook en je kan ze ook spotten op de prent. Het is een handig vogelgidsje voor jonge kinderen en allicht ook voor sommige volwassenen die geen gaai van een goudvink kunnen onderscheiden.’ door Vanessa Joosen

‘Welke vogels zie jij?’ verschenen bij @uitgeverijlemniscaat

Hoi! Kijk mee hoe ik van schets tot illustratie in een magazine kom. Superleuk 💫! Met mijn iPad met @procreate_nl. Echt, toen ik deze 6 jaar geleden in mn handen kreeg werd het menens met illustreren (en durfde ik mezelf pas écht illustrator te noemen 🧑‍🎨✨).

Het magazine van Kristel @hoogbegaafddegids is zo onwijs gaaf geworden. En tof nieuws: vanaf heden ben ik de VASTE illustrator en het verschijnt dit jaar naast deze editie nog 3x! 💕🥳

#procreateprocessvideo #procreate #illustratie #magazineillustrator

JAAaa, hier zijn ze eindelijk: de CANVAS ARTPRINTS ✨💫🎉!!

Heb je altijd al iets unieks aan je muur gewild? Maar ben je gewoon niet iemand die échte, originele kunst aanschaft? Dan is dit misschien wat voor jou: een canvas artprint op echt katoenen doek en bijna niet van het echte schilderij te onderscheiden. Ik ben er maanden mee bezig geweest (heeel veel techniek en testen kwam erbij kijken, want ik wilde echt de beste prints van de hoogste kwaliteit💫). En het is gelukt! Zie hier 🌿.
👉 link in bio

* with a huge shoutout to @art_to_print_ and @fotolabkiekie for the technical magic ✨.

Jaa LIVE ✨! Origineel schilderij ‘FOR-REST’ is nu verkrijgbaar op mijn website. 🌿

Geïnspireerd op het bos, geschilderd met acryl en olieverf op 120x100cm natuurlijk linnen canvas. Ingelijst in een walnoot-look lijst. Kijk op de website voor alle details.
Interesse en wil je hem graag in het echt zien? Stuur me een DM of mail dan maken we een afspraak.

Dankjullie voor alle enthousiasme voor dit schilderij 😊🙌🌿. X Kim

‘Forest’ heet het niet voor niets in het Engels 😌🌿🌳. Daarom heet dit schilderij ‘For-rest’. Geïnspireerd op de rust die je vindt in het bos.
Aankomende woensdag 3 juli, 10:00u verkrijgbaar via mijn website.

Heb je vragen of interesse? Stuur me even een DM of reageer hier😊, dan stuur ik je de link👇🏼.

Het bos-schilderij is af✨🌿, hier het hele avontuur vanaf het bos tot aan de muur. (Reveal aan het eind!).
Het originele schilderij is vanaf woensdag 3 juli te koop op mijn website, en …. Ik werk hard aan speciale kunstafdrukken (art prints) op hoge kwaliteit canvasdoek. Die komen binnenkort! Reageer hier met ‘schilderij’ en ik stuur een seintje zodra ze er zijn👇🏻.

Come with me on this painting journey in the forest 🌿🌲✨. It’s magical!
I’m bringing this canvas home to take this forest inspiration with me. Follow along to see where it’s going 🤞.

#artjourney #naturepainting #natureartwork

Kijk je mee in de start van dit nieuwe schilderij? Tussen de frisse varens en fluitende vogels zet ik de eerste lagen op dit doek. Het bos is ‘t fijnste atelier 🌿💫. Na een drukke week kom ik hier helemaal bij. Echt, het voelt zo ontzettend heilzaam😌🌲🌳(en nee, niets zweverigs aan, het is gewoon waar!). Ik snap helemaal wat ze met ‘bosbaden’ bedoelen: je onderdompelen in de geuren, geluiden en al het moois wat hier groeit en bloeit.
Volg me als je wilt zien hoe dit schilderij gaat worden, geïnspireerd op dit oerbos. stay tuned 😉.

#forestart #forestbathing #bosbaden #bosbad #natuurkunst

Knijp me even! M’n illu van deze giraf hangt levensgroot op dé grootste kinderboekenbeurs ter wereld: @bolognachildrensbookfair ✨! In de stand van @uitgeverijlemniscaat kijkt ‘ie mee met Robin van @lemniscaatrights (2e foto, zie hem hard aan t werk) die alle prachtige Lemniscaatboeken laat zien aan buitenlandse uitgevers. Spannend…! Nu hopen dat er een vertaling uitrolt. 💫
En knijp me nog maar een keer, m’n werk hangt gewoon tussen werk van grootse namen die ik bewonder; Linda Faas, Pieter Koolwijk, Sacha Heemels, Marc Janssen om er maar een paar te noemen 🥹.

Winter… de natuur in rust. En dat ben ik niet altijd 😅. Maar toch; we kunnen er een les uit halen 🌝🪵.

#creatiefleven #schilderij #natuurkunst #creatiefproces #natuurschil

Een kijkje in mijn buiten-atelier ❄️🌨️! Ik kon het niet laten om dit nieuwe schilderij in de sneeuw te beginnen. En liet me inspireren door het blauw in al dat wit. Al was het nog net in het staartje van de sneeuw, want m’n buiten-atelier werd al snel sneeuwvrij helaas. Maar toch, het begin is er 😊❄️. Volg je me hoe dit schilderij gaat worden? 😉

Verrassing! Ik heb een nieuw boek, vandaag uit!!! 👉Het Beestenbinnenstebuiten boek 🐍🦑🐘🐆. Jawel, spreek dat maar eens in 1x goed uit 😜.
In dit boek laat ik je zien hoe onwijs gaaf dieren er vanbinnen uitzien. En ik kan je zeggen: echt hartstikke bizar is dat. Alle 12 dieren verschenen als rubriek in @tijdschriftzozitdat en @uitgeverijlemniscaat maakte er dit toffe boek van.
Idee voor een Sint kado? Ik zeg doen! Jouw bioloog in spé kan helemaal los (zonder dieren bloederig open te snijden trouwens, dat scheelt weer 😂🐌🐘🐊🐳🐍🦒🦦).

Hi there! I’m trying something new here. Let’s say it’s playtime in the studio. This is the stage where I try to put the idea I have in mind on the canvas. These are the real grasses, I’m planning to paint them super realistic this way on top of the splatters. What do you think: with or without tape 🌿😜?!

#creativeplay #studiopainting #artplay #botanicalart #plantpainting

It’s so easy to miss all the beauty that’s right in front of us. The softness of the landscape, the warm breeze in the evening. Let them be a reminder to the beauty that’s inside of you too. Because when you open up and stay curious to your surroundings, you’ll be open to your inner landscapes too💛. That’ll bring so much beauty to your life, it really does.

#landscapeart #landscapepainting #landscapeoilpainting #moodylandscape #innerlandscape

A peak from the studio. Workin’ on something new…. And I’m excited about it 😊!

This butterfly is not finished yet, but I already like it! The butterfly seems to fly almost right off the canvas. (The trick? I painted a soft, abstract background behind the 🦋). Hope you like it & have a nice day - with some wings 😉😄.

#butterflypainting #butterflyart #butterflyartwork #butterfly #paintingbutterflies

Hi there! Here’s a painting I made years ago. I saw it as a raw sketch and it’s hanging in my home for years now. But the more I look at it, the more I like it. Love it. The loose brushstrokes, the colors. And the strength that comes from this pure and vulnerable pose. Somehow I believe that when we trust the world and ourselves, we can calm down and be who we are so naturally. No force, no power needed, it’s all in us by nature. So, this one is a reminder to embrace a bit more of your pure self. It’s magic when you let that in a bit more today 💛🌿.

#womanpainting #paintingnude #womenpower #womenpainting

Hi there! A short making of this painting for you. Hope you like it ;). 🌿

#paintingprocess #paintingpractice #oilpaintingprocess #paintinginprogress

Hi all, here’s my newest landscape painting 🖼️. With loose brushstrokes to let you feel the wind that blows through the grass in the valley. Hope you like it and it brightens your day a little ✨.

This painting is a large 100 x 80 cm and for sale for a special limited edition price of €900 and ready to hang on your wall. Send me a DM if you’re interested or want to see it in real in my studio. 💌.

#paintingreveal #artreveal #reveal #landscapepainting #landscapeartwork

Sometimes I have the time and space for a painting commission. Like this kingfisher! I was asked to paint this little bird in a way that it expresses freedom in fresh bright colors. Well, this is how that turned out! The new owner is very happy and so thankful and she picked up this painting last Sunday. It’s such an honor to make something like this and be meaningful to someone’s life.

If you’re also interested in a painting in commission by me, just give me a message 😃. I’m looking forward to have a chat!

#commissionpainting #paintingcommission #kingfisherpainting #kingfisherart #birdpainting

I painted a reminder to all of us who need it 💛. Don’t forget we al have a bit of Mother Earth in us, just to take care of ourselves. It’s a beautiful gift from nature🙏. Just don’t forget and give yourself some love and compassion today. 🌿

#motherloveart #motherart #naturereligion #naturewisdom #motherearth #motherearthlove

The kingfisher is a very special creature. Small but so grand. With it’s great power he can fly straight out of the water after catching a bird! It’s also a symbol of ancient wisdom🤎. I really love this bird and it’s an honor to paint this beauty in the canvas.
I tried to catch the mood and emotion of it’s strength and to do so, I painted a watery background with the bird on top. Love the way it turned out! This one is actually turned out waaay different, because it was a commission. But I accidentally explored this moody setting and now planning to paint more animals in this moody way. Can’t help; still love nature’s creatures so much 🙏🌿!

What animals do you love and would you hang on your wall as a painting? Let me know, I’m curious!

#animalpainting #kingfisherpainting #birdpainting #birdpaintings #naturepainting #cobraoilpaint @cobraoilpaint

Hi! Come and take a look in the beginning of a new painting ✨.

#paintingprocess #howtopaint #paintinglandscape #oilpainting #oilpaintingprocess

As a child I liked to watch the water flow through a river, while I was standing on a bridge or on the waterside. I threw a twig 🌿in the stream and watched it drifting on. It was fun!

Now I’m older, I realize how we all flow through life. Like that little twig we flow from here to there. And instead of fighting the stream, we can better see it as a gift to just go with that flow. When you do that, you can lean in the moment and that’s where all the beauty lies🙏.

I hope that I caught a little of that beauty in this 40x50cm painting 💛.

This painting ‘flow like a river’ is still available on my website. If you have any questions or want to see it in my studio, tell me! You’re very welcome to visit here.

#painting #landscapepainting #riverpainting #riverart #landscapeart

Is is a painting or real branch🌿?! Come and watch the making of in my studio with me💫.

#paintingprocess #realisticpainting #realisticart #artprocess #makingof

Watch, I have a little magic trick ✨.

#magictrick #artmagic #artstudio #naturepainting #natureartwork

‘Wild & Free’ - Sometimes in life I can long for that feeling of total freedom. Do you know what I mean? That feeling you have when you’re up on a mountain top, overviewing the valley and a fresh breeze touches your face. I love it! This painting is a gentle reminder to moments like that. If you feel caught up sometimes, or think that you have to do many things, even things you don’t like, I hope this painting reminds you that you have this wild and free spirit inside. I believe we all do. It’s in our truest nature 💛. Stay a bit wild my friend, and free.🌿

#naturepainting #wanderlust #wanderlusting #outdoorwomen #outdoorwoman #outdoorpainting

‘Do what makes you HAPPY’. I’m happy when I paint or when I’m in nature 😊🌿. And you??

The painting ‘Misty hill’ is available on my website www.kim merel.com or link in bio 🙏.

#happypainting #happyartist #feelgoodart #artistlife #artistsoninstagram #artistprocess #cobraoilpaint @cobraoilpaint

There’s a great joy in hiking through nature and finding new, hidden paths. Paths that you didn’t know were there, but while walking them you explore all new things. Like a beautiful bird or a gorgeous stone. It's like a gift!

This painting is called ‘Exploring new paths’ and is inspired by a hike I had in the Rocky Mountains, near a glacier. Most people were on the (touristic) glacier, but we took a small trail up to the mountain opposite to the glacier. And there, we unexpectedly found the most stunning view ever..!⛰️

"Exploring new paths" is a 60x80cm oil painting to remind you of exploring new ways that can give you unexpected outcomes in life.
Just stay curious! 😉

This painting is now available on my website with a 10% early access discount until Wednesday 5th. Then doors will open for everybody and the discount expires. 👉 www.kimmerel.com

#wanderlust #outdoorwomen #mountainpainting #mountainpaintings #mountainview

The WANDERLUST Collection is now available! With early access and a 10% discount if you’re on my mailing list this week. ⛰️

Yay! I’m so happy and thanks for all your support people, it means a lot🤎.

#paintingcollection #originalpaintings #originalpaintingsforsale #originalpaintingforsale #landscapepaintingsforsale

Tomorrow!!! I’m sending out the link to the Wanderlust Collection plus password for early access at 11:00 AM CET March 29th. Be sure that you’re on my list to view the collection and get a 10% discount code too💫.

#artcollector #paintingcollection #paintingcollector #landscapepaintings #landscapepainting

The Wanderlust paintings are ready to hang on your walls💫. This Wednesday 29th these paintings launch with early access to my collector’s list.
I’m sending out a full collection preview with sizes & pricing tomorrow, so be sure you’re on my list if you want to see that💛.

Do you know that feeling of a mountain in the distance and it’s almost as if you can grab it? “Mountain magic” is inspired by that magical experience. The strange thing is that you can hike for hours and that mountain doesn’t seem to get any closer… It can feel so hard!
But as soon as you let go that goal to get to the top, you suddenly lean into the trail and discover beautiful things around you 🏔️. This is where the real magic happens! Focus on the trail and that’s where the real meaning comes in. The same thing happens in life. So, take time to wander around, the top isn’t the only thing that counts.

‘Mountain magic’ releases on Wednesday 29th at 11:00 AM CET for my mailing list with first access. Join my list to get early access and a 10% discount code 💫.

Come and take a closer look at the tiniest painting of the WANDERLUST Collection, releasing next week Wednesday, March 29th. Mark you calendar to have the first look and I’ll send you a 10% discount code too 😉💫!

#landscapeoilpainting #landscapepainting #paintingdetails #mountainpainting #mountainart #wanderlust

Painting reveal of this magical mountain⛰️✨. Look at the details of the rocks… This oil painting is part of the WANDELRUST Collection and these paintings will be available on March 29th at 11:00 AM CET for my Collectors List first. If you’re on my list you’ll get a 10% discount to use for a painting in this collection during the early access week 💫, the doors open for everybody. If you’re curious and want to have first access to the collection ánd the 10% discount >>> join my Collector’s List! I’ll send you the secret password as soon as the WANDERLUST Collection releases. 🌿

Have a nice Sunday!

#wanderlustart #mountainpainting #mountainlandscapepainting #landscapepainting #mountainart #outdoorwoman #outdoorwomen

The process of this painting… from the very start to finish - in less than 10 seconds. It took me a bit longer🌿.

#paintingprocess #paintinginprogress #paintingreveal #artprocess #wip #workinprogress #artinprogress

Hi there! Are you ready for some detail shots of a Wanderlust painting? Let’s watch!

Oh my, making paintings is something I do so naturally, but this whole photography is all new to me. But! Although I’m still figuring out all the technical stuff, I really like it. It’s just another way of visual creativity (although totally different than with a paintbrush 😅) and it’s a nice challenge to make my paintings look beautiful online ✨.

Have a nice weekend! And… next week I’ll tell you the release date & time of this collection 🏔️💫. Can’t wait…!

#paintingdetails #artdetails #paintingcloseup #oilpaintings #artworkdetail #oilpaintings #paintingtexture

Are you in for an exclusive sneak peek of the Wanderlust Collection? Come & look! Members of my Collector's List already got this preview 2 weeks ago, but now I can’t wait to share it with you too, I'm so excited…!

Let's imagine that you visit my art studio. You had this nice hike in the woods and now you just discoverd this old building. You walk to the door and enter it. There in the hall you see me and I invite you to have a look upstairs in my studio. You walk on the stairs, I open a door for you to a room with a wooden floor and two gorgeous historic windows. You look around and near the window on the left you see an easel with a large painting on it ✨. Around the easel are lots of other paintings. They're all from the Wanderlust Collection… ⛰️!

Take your time, wander around and give your eyes some beauty to look at.

Enjoy!

#paintingcollection #wanderlustart #wanderlust #outdoorpaintings #paintingstudio #artstudio #artstudios #paintingcollector

Come and have a closer look at this painting (the thing you do when you’re in a museum 😉; watch those details and brushstrokes!).

When I look at a painting I first let the feeling of it come to me. The next thing? I immediately take a closer look! I want to see all the details the artist added; brushstrokes, the texture of the canvas and color details. I just love to discover new details! So, I hope you like to have a closer look at this painting with me 😊⛰️!

#artcloseup #paintingtexture #wanderlust #wanderlusting #outdoorwomen #outdoorwoman #mountaingirl

Working on the pieces of the Wanderlust collection was such a gift. Every painting got my full attention (like you see here😉). This painting was the second in the collection and the first bigger painting since years. And I loved it✨! So much, that this turned out to be a medium size one, because I made a lot bigger paintings.

When I paint these nature’s wild places, it feels almost like I’m near that river, up on that mountaintop or in the middle of the woods. I try to catch the feeling of the breeze there, the birds that sing and the smell of the land. Okay, it’s a painting (I know!), but I think that’s the beauty of art: that you can catch feelings of places on the canvas. I hope you can see that in this collection🏔️🌿. Keep an eye here on my feed, this week I’ll post some more previews of the paintings.

Have a nice day!

#artstudio #paintingstudio #artist #paintingprocess #landscapepainting #wanderlust #outdoorpainting

A big sneak peek picture here for you 😉, although it’s not the whole painting…

This painting is inspired of a hike in the French Alpes I had a couple of years ago. It’s the greatest joy for me to hike in wild lands and hear all the quietness. It’s where I feel free and can hear the things my heart has to say. The place where all the natural given wisdom is ☺️💛. I thinks that’s what we all need more from time to time: quietness to kindly connect with our natural selfs.

Members of my collector’s list already got the picture of this whole painting. So if you want more of that, you’re welcome in this special space where I’ll send you much more shots of the upcoming collection 😉. No spam, I promise! Just a bit more depth and pictures. To tell you my story I have with this collection. Check the link in my bio if you’re interested 🏔.

#mountaingirl #mountaingirls #outdoorgirl #outdoorwomen #outdoorwoman #followyourheart

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Volg me op Instagram

@kimmerel_art