Peggy Kuiper: Paintings from the Soul

Peggy Kuiper, a 34-year-old artist based in Amsterdam, crafts a world of vibrant emotions on canvas, drawing from a deep well of intuition and experience. Living in a converted loft with her rescue dog, Balou, Peggy’s life is a testament to her artistic journey—one that began in graphic design, took a detour through photography, and ultimately found its true expression in painting.

After graduating as a graphic designer in 2006, Peggy spent several years working in the design industry before pivoting to photography. Her work, often commissioned for magazines and newspapers, allowed her to collaborate with a diverse range of creatives. Yet, despite the success, a persistent urge to create something more personal began to surface. “Being a photographer is a wonderful occupation,” Peggy reflects, “but slowly I felt an urge growing in me, an urge to create and make decisions solely on my feelings and ideas.”

This urge led her back to her roots, to the medium that had captivated her as a child: painting. What began as a natural extension of her artistic spirit soon became a daily practice, a ritual almost, where Peggy could channel her emotions into her work. “I paint every day,” she says. “It’s almost hypnotic.”

Peggy’s paintings are characterized by their bold use of color, graphic compositions, and the raw emotion that seeps through each piece. She doesn’t emphasize technique; instead, she focuses on capturing the fleeting moments of emotion. “I need to be quick, because emotion does not wait,” she explains. This urgency is why she prefers acrylics, a medium that allows for both speed and flexibility.

Her process is as intuitive as her inspiration. Mornings begin with a walk in nature, a time when ideas naturally flow to her. By the time she arrives at her studio, Peggy is ready to sketch, often guided by the feelings that have emerged during her morning walk. Music plays a crucial role in her work as well, setting the tone for the day’s painting session.

“I don’t photograph or have someone sit for me before I start drawing or painting,” Peggy reveals. “It all comes from my mind, a collection of memories, emotions, and dreams. My figures, not people or portraits, stem from my inner world, and I would characterize it as an embodiment of my emotional landscape.”

Her background in graphic design and photography continues to influence her work, particularly in how she approaches composition and color. But it’s the freedom of painting—free from the constraints of client expectations—that has truly allowed Peggy to flourish. “When it comes to painting, all the creative freedom lies with me. That’s also key for me, as it is how I’m able to evaluate and develop myself as an artist.”

Artists like Marlene Dumas, Modigliani, and Gauguin have been significant influences on Peggy’s work, particularly Dumas, whose authenticity and freedom in creativity resonate deeply with her. “She gives me the idea that she is free in her creativity. That’s my ultimate goal—to be free in creating what you want without fear.”

Peggy’s studio, located in an old dance studio near the Rijksmuseum, is a space that reflects her creative spirit. It’s spacious, filled with light, and offers a sense of freedom that mirrors her approach to art. The remnants of the studio’s past—mirrors and a dance barre—serve as a nostalgic reminder of her childhood, and during breaks, Peggy often finds herself dancing, allowing her body to respond to the music just as her brush responds to the canvas.

For Peggy, art is a language of expression, one that reflects the complexity of human emotion. Her paintings invite the viewer to feel, to wonder, and to connect with the deeper currents of their own emotional landscape. “I think art is an important language of expression,” Peggy muses. “It can make you happy, sad, or melancholic. It can make you feel and wonder. It makes me aware, and it gives me the freedom to be myself.”

As Peggy continues to explore her artistic journey and POV, her work stands as proof to the power of intuition, emotion, and the unending quest for creative freedom. Through her vibrant canvases, she invites us all to step into her world—a world where emotion doesn’t wait, and creativity knows no bounds.