JAN COOLS

The rugged Irish landscape played a defining role in shaping his artistic vision. It was there that he found the direction of his practice, developing a signature aesthetic rooted in the muted, earthy tones and subtle light of the natural environment. These organic, restrained hues became the foundation of his work and continue to define his painting today.

Since moving to Catalonia, his work has naturally evolved. Influenced by the region’s brighter Mediterranean light, lighter tones and more open compositions have gradually entered his paintings. This evolution reflects the changing environment in which he lives and continues to shape the development of his most recent work.

Cools’ practice explores the subtle interplay between light and shadow through an intuitive rather than predetermined process. He works primarily on unprimed cotton duck canvas using the soak stain technique, combined with brush and sponge applications. Employing diluted acrylics and occasionally incorporating pigment and charcoal, he allows each painting to develop organically. Rather than beginning with a fixed composition, his creative process is driven by a search for tonality and atmosphere, allowing the image to emerge naturally. This approach results in a body of work that is compositionally diverse yet consistently unified by its distinctive palette and quiet, contemplative presence.

Working predominantly on large-scale formats, Cools creates immersive paintings that invite close observation and evoke a sense of stillness and emotional depth.