Renate van Nijen | Artist & Storyteller
I am Renate van Nijen, a Dutch artist, author and art teacher living in La Herradura, Granada, in southern Spain. I create colourful original oil and acrylic paintings filled with emotion, movement and personal meaning.
My artistic style is rooted in Fauvism and Expressionism. I use vibrant colour, expressive marks and emotional depth rather than striving for technical perfection. My work includes women and their stories, flamenco dancers, Buddhas, angels, animals, mandalas and other subjects that inspire me.
Women remain an important thread running through both my art and writing. In my Paris Women series, almost every woman looks directly at the viewer, asking to be seen. Alongside my visual art, I write books and my weekly Thursday Women stories about remarkable and overlooked women in art and cultural history.
I also teach art, mandala painting and creative writing through classes and workshops in La Herradura and online. Whether through paint, words or teaching, I hope to encourage people to express themselves, look more closely and discover their own story within the creative process.
Discover & Explore My Work
Where to Start
Begin your journey with a curated slideshow of my original oil and acrylic paintings. Discover expressive, vibrant artworks inspired by women, flamenco, spirituality, nature and the many subjects that have touched my life. Each piece tells a story through colour, movement and energy.
Art & Writing Classes
I offer in-studio art and creative writing classes and workshops in La Herradura, Spain, as well as online art and creative writing classes for adults and teens of all levels.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, my classes focus on expression, confidence, and developing your unique artistic voice.
Explore classes and workshops:
- for women
- for teenagers
- paint & sip workshops with (optional) tapas
- the magic of storytelling, expressive writing & sip workshops with (optional) tapas
- intention mandala workshops
Books & Publications
Discover my collection of books exploring:
- Women in art and their untold influence
- Life, love and adventures in Spain
- Personal stories, exploring themes such as war and alcoholism
- Creativity, painting techniques, and storytelling
Available in multiple languages.
Blog & Inspiration
Read my latest insights on art, creativity, and life through my art blog and Substack publication. I share behind-the-scenes processes, inspiration, and personal reflections.
Read my latest posts on my:
Buy Art, Prints & Books
You can collect my work in several ways:
- Original oil and acrylic paintings – one-of-a-kind expressive artworks
- Gift cards and prints – affordable, high-quality reproductions
- Books – available directly from my website or from Amazon
Thank you for being part of my creative world! If you would like to know more, let's chat on WhatsApp
