Catherine De Ryck, Belgian artist

I am a Belgian painter born in 1981. Passionate about art since childhood, I began to paint at a very early age.
For many years, I have explored different techniques and mediums but more recently has concentrated my activities on oil painting, watercolour and pastel.
I am currently trained by the international artist Roland Palmaerts.

After the strict realistic approach that I followed in my early years as a painter, I have developed my own style, full of emotion, symbolism and hidden stories.
And this style is constantly evolving, the subjects vary from year to year ranging from classical scenes to surrealism.

I try to explore colour, light, space, composition and detail in all scenes which bring the joys of painting closer to the observer in the simplest way : as an open window on a stolen moment.

Since 1994, I have taken part in many personal and group exhibitions, as well as official art competitions, in my own country and overseas. Exhibiting my work has won me awards in watercolour, oil painting, pastel and mixed media categories.
PRIZES & AWARDS :
> 2009 : First Prize "La Galerie des Lecteurs", "Plaisirs de Peindre" magazine. All categories.
> 2009 : Watercolour "Somewhere Beyond the Sea" selected for the 18th Salon "Watercolour Springs", from 21rst May until 1rst June 2009. Libramont, Belgium.
> 2009 : Highest distinction, Vermeil Medal & Great Prize R. DUEZ of the European Academy of Arts - 39th Salon of the European Academy of Arts, Watercolour.
> 2008 : National Gold Medal, 38th Salon of the European Academy of Arts. Watercolour and Mixed Media categories.
> 2008 : Second Prize "La Galerie des Lecteurs", "Dessins & Peintures" magazine. All categories.
> 2007 : WINNER, Discovery Walk Of Fine Arts in Mons, art contest. Watercolour.
> 2007 : Vermeil Award, First Prize of Honour for the International Elite, International Great Prize of Fine Arts in Wallonie. Watercolour.
> 2007 : Belgian Minister of Defense's Prize, International Great Prize of Fine Arts in Wallonie. Watercolour.
> 2007 : City of Charleroi Cup, International Great Prize of Fine Arts in Wallonie. Watercolour.
> 2005 : First People Choice's Award, Art Actuel - Artist 2005. All categories.
> 2005 : First Prize, Art Actuel - Artist 2005. Pastel, Watercolour categories.
> 2005 : First Prize of drawing and graphism. Young Talents 2005. All categories.
> 2005 : Gold Award, First Prize of Honour for the International Elite, Special Distinction for the artistic evolution during the last five years. International Great Prize of Fine Arts in Wallonie. Mixed Media.
> 2003 : Gold Award, International Great Prize of Fine Arts in Wallonie. Oil painting, Pastel categories.
> 2001 : Silver Award. International Great Prize of Fine Arts in Wallonie. Oil painting.

On my blog (http://walkonwater.canalblog.com/), I have already published a lot of information about Fine Arts, great masters, test bed for artist's materials, watercolour - pastel - oil painting tips and techniques, drawing, ...
It is a pleasure for me to share information, to help people to better understand the colours, the pigments and the media they are working with.