Muriël van Marion-Kasmin (1959) 
A Life in Art
Curriculum vitae
I was born in South America, of Indonesian lineage, raised in The Netherlands (Rotterdam and The Hague), Germany (Scherfede), Belgium (Brussels) and now living and working in Wassenaar in The Netherlands.
I began drawing at the age of five, and by twelve I was already under the spell of Johannes Vermeer, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Although I made the early decision to become an artist, I was forced to work to support my family and my time for art studies was limited. However in the late 70s I attended several workshops at the Vrije Academy of Beeldende Kunsten. I began with watercolour and Sumi-e with Violet Roest for three years. Once I had developed other interests and skills I was taught 17th century techniques by Ab van Overdam, charcoal and pastel by Sierk Schröder and the principles of painting abstract by Pien Hazenberg.. Next came sculpture, inspired by my friend Kees Verkade. I work in acrylic and oil paint.
Other studies, business background
Marketing (NIMA-A), Management (ISW), Psychology (OU) Media and Communication (St Bedrijfskunde Delft)
Former job as a headhunter in the executive search until 1996, when I made a leap into art as my professinal role.
Inspiration, Statement, Technique
Everyone has “a child within” and by expressing these feelings I can communicate more easily through my art. Creating art gives a dimension of the infinite possibilities to reach a desired goal.
My inspiration mostly comes in a state of total unconsciousness, sometimes on meditative and intuitive action. My work reflects my inner feelings based on people, travels, culture and life experience and the radiance is often spiritual, surrealistic, magical, very expressive and vibrantly coloured. Working on wet-on-wet knifing with acrylics and oils, I constantly balance between figurative and abstract. Exploring the contradictions, complexities and characters that express different psychological aspects of human nature I consider myself as a vessel in which it channelled the life through its birth on canvas. Started with the 17th century techniques of the old masters, I have developed different styles over the years and I do not feel bound by any rules. I find detail unimportant and having a strong sense of artistic independence, I’m satisfied in creating my own course and journey.
It creates happiness for me and I hope I can pass on these positive feelings to others. My leading thought is that of growth, self-awareness, maturity, decay and natural wisdom of animals. It sometimes takes courage to let go of the usual techniques and open your eyes to see things differently.
Constantly balancing figurative with abstract, I use the four elements of water, air, fire and earth in all my paintings.A painting begins for me when paint marks, colour and line stimulate my imagination. The under painting becomes its own network, connecting points of energy over the canvas. Using palette knives and brushes, I enjoy creating tensions between busy and quiet areas and offsetting with accents of bright colour.
My paintings are just like my life: a continuous search for alignment and harmony between people and elements, body and soul.
Painting for me is an expression, not of reality, but of a personal experience.