Interview Rick Triest- On the way to Mastery
Artist Rick Triest
On the road to mastery
A sharp commercial mind in combination with an undeniable talent as an artist; that is the successful mix that resides in Rick Triest. Much from his hands turns into gold, something that makes him proud and humble at the same time. “The fact that I can make a living from my art is a privilege, I realize that all too well.”
Artist Rick Triest (Purmerend, 1989) welcomes us enthusiastically in the impressive studio and gallery. Everywhere you look you see his beautiful works. Of Amsterdam cityscapes in the characteristic blue with gold, tulips and other works of art. Creativity literally bursts from the walls. “I really feel at home in Haarlemmermeer,” says Rick. “Although I grew up in Amsterdam and love being there, I also really love the real and sincere nature of the polder and its people. It is nice to be able to experience the mix of city bustle and silence; to gain inspiration and enjoy working.”
Took the opposite path
Rick never had the ambition to become an artist. But when, in search of self-development, he sought a creative direction in his life, he almost automatically came across brushes and canvases. At first he didn't like it, not even as a hobby. In his view, artists were people who could create masterpieces after a rigorous education at art school, but who were thrown off track when real life began. He found it extraordinary that this resulted in them ending up in a certain apathy and not being given any work to do. “Coming from someone who started with hands like forks, that obviously sounds pretty naughty,” Rick laughs. “I had a flying start, I sold a number of works almost immediately, which hung in busy places such as hotels. Now that I have progressed a bit and experienced how much work it is, how many hours are involved in a work of art and how much being an artist demands from you, I have changed my opinion. Especially in combination with the expression and creativity that I can express in it, I ultimately think it is a great profession. But still; The fact that I can live from my art is really a condition for this existence for me. The fact that it works is a privilege, I realize that all too well.”
Just like Vincent
Rick is introverted, but you wouldn't think so at first glance. “I can push myself very well, for example in negotiations or in business conversations,” he says, “but soon afterwards I retreat back to my studio. I am most at home with my paint and canvases. Socializing is not really my thing. But I realize very well that it is part of it.
Not everything has to be big, bigger, biggest
Success also has moments of paying the tuition fee, in Rick's experience. The hard work and wanting to meet the large volumes that were asked of him took its toll a few years ago, he suffered a burnout. “That was the signal for me that I had to go back to basics and take better care of myself. And above all, being more of an artist than an entrepreneur, no matter how difficult I sometimes find that. Look, I do everything myself, including things like making lists. I am a perfectionist, I think a beautiful frame completes the painting. And I go very far with that.” Rick always has ideas bubbling up. “Sometimes I really have to stop myself and focus on what's really important. Working on that that gives me energy. And that sometimes means making strict choices, haha. But that's fine.”
What is art?
Rick's search, as an autodidact, for his own signature has deepened and developed enormously recently. Inspired by Rembrandt's technique, he is working on his 'Masterseries', a series of oil paintings. Including a number of self-portraits, which are quite vulnerable. “Nowadays I ask myself the question much more often: 'What is art?', says Rick. “Not only for myself, but also for my customer and for the world. That may sound a bit pompous, but I really needed that. I switched from acrylic paint to oil paint. That requires a different kind of depth, oil paint has a completely different viscosity than the acrylic paint I started with. This is water-based paint, which you can only dilute in 5 steps, while with oil paint you can do so in 20 steps. As a result, you are more concerned with the technique, how raw or fine do you want to go? I notice that my personal taste has also developed, I am becoming increasingly crazy about old masters such as Rembrandt and Caravaggio. But expressionistic work by people like Appel and Basquiat also inspires me. I also really enjoy painting my Sir Bobby the Teddy Bear paintings. A bear is forgiving and universal in its shape and appearance, which makes it highly sought after. And for me it's a lot of fun to be involved in.”
Ready for the future
That it can all be done on a smaller scale is also evident from the fact that Rick has moved his studio to his home in Beinsdorp. He concludes: “We have created a beautiful gallery there that is more than worth a visit. I am increasingly going for quality in all facets of my life. I always keep looking at what really suits me. I have noticed that if you ignore yourself, you ultimately cannot make anyone happy. And that is exactly what I like to do with my art!”