Artist blog | Process, Symbolism & Studio Notes

Process notes

I stretch my boundaries, experiment with new techniques, and continue to challenge myself to arrive at what I truly want to bring into the world. My artist blog brings together reflections on process, symbolism, studio practice, and little adventures within my contemporary art practice.

Leonoor Ruigrok –

Life drawing at 4Bid Gallery, Amsterdam

Apr 17, 2026

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in Behind the art

A life drawing session at 4Bid Gallery in Amsterdam, where rhythm, speed, and charcoal drawing opened space for movement, contrast, and artistic freedom.
Standing within The Present

Apr 4, 2026

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in Contemporary Art Netherlands, Studio & Process

I work through layered symbolic painting, building images from within rather than from what is merely visible. This artist statement reflects on presence, tension and the space where inner imagery and the world around me meet.
Why Artists Work in Series

Mar 12, 2026

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in Behind the art, Collections, Studio & Process

Working in series allows ideas to unfold gradually across multiple paintings. Symbols, colour and composition shift and return. Series such as *Sneaky Hidden Sunflowers* and *Icelandic Houses* illustrate this process.
Material and Handwriting

Feb 15, 2026

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in Studio & Process

This studio note explores how movement, material and handwriting come together in my work. Through a physical way of painting, deliberate material choices and an ongoing balance between intuition and knowledge, each work develops its own presence. The gesture leads, the material follows, and over time a recognisable handwriting continues to emerge.
Selecting Work for the Archive

Feb 11, 2026

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in Behind the art, Dutch Female Artist, Studio & Process

Archiving begins with distance. In placing works side by side, connections emerge, shifts become visible, and the structure of the oeuvre takes shape.
How I determine the price of a work

Feb 8, 2026

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in Behind the art, Contemporary Art Netherlands

What determines the value of a painting? In this studio note, I reflect on how price is shaped, not by a single factor, but through material, scale, time, and the place a work holds within my series and oeuvre.
solvent free

Jan 31, 2026

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in Studio & Process

Working without solvents shifts the entire painting process. Material becomes more present, time slows down, and each gesture remains visible on the surface.
artist writer collaboration

Jan 16, 2026

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in About, Collections, Contemporary Art Netherlands

And who is Hare, really? Between presence and transformation, something begins to move. In this literary reflection, the hare speaks as a guide through inner landscapes, where boundaries dissolve and hidden parts come into form.
art in the Snow — Behind the Scenes

Jan 10, 2026

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in Behind the art

Behind the scenes — photographing Icelandic Snowwhite in the snow Today there was snow in the Netherlands. A beautiful layer covered the bulb fields around us. Even the water was wrapped in a true blanket of snow, which I could gently push aside with the paddle. Normally, we use this boat to cross over with…
Soft Hope

Jan 10, 2026

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in Collections, Contemporary Art Netherlands, Magical Realism in Art

-Dreamland collection- soft hope oil painting Soft Hope was created in 2025 as part of the Dreamland collection. Within this series, I explore how subtle shifts in image and feeling can open an inner landscape. The work does not stand alone, but belongs to an ongoing inquiry in which symbolism and imagination converge. Dreamland is…
What will 2026 bring?

Jan 1, 2026

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in Behind the art

Art plans 2026. What will 2026 bring?Hopefully, at the very least, plenty of snow in the coming days. Beyond that, I am planning ahead, with a focus on suitable gallery contacts, Kunstmaand Ameland, and Kunstmoment Diepenheim, two curated art events in the Netherlands. That is exciting, because it has to be the right fit. A…
studiocat

Dec 31, 2025

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Leonoor Ruigrok

in Studio & Process

Photoshoot Starting my photoshoot today:I’m never alone during my studio days. Surrounded by so many animals, we’re blessed with colors and little (art) friends. I’m not there yet… at least not when it comes to photographing my paintings. Next week I’ll have the opportunity to use a suitable camera again. I’d much rather spend most…

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Woman figure - Charcoal sketch - Leonoor Ruigrok - drawing - Lace Ruig - 2025

I invite you

These notes are part of a broader exploration of material, symbol, and inner landscape.
→ Explore my artistic vision as a contemporary Dutch female artist.

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How does my artistic process evolve?
Each new series explores different techniques, shifting from oil paint to mixed media, always driven by my emotions and curiosity.
Why an artist blog?
The blog is a way to share the stories behind my art, offering visitors a deeper look into my sources of inspiration and creative discoveries.
What do the letters LACE stand for? These are my initials. I used this together with an abbreviated form of my surname, Ruigrok (RUIG), as my first artist name. This originated during my studies at the HKU. I have now fully returned to my full name, Leonoor Ruigrok.