Inspiration

Petra Tool is a Dutch artist, fascinated by talent. Her models are mostly dancers and musicians. She loves the expression on their faces, their concentration, joy and passion when they are creating. The same feelings she experiences when she's painting them.

She paints in watercolor on paper. Her style is described as "the art of omitting the unnecessary".  She paints in strong, vibrant colors, in a limited palette.

She's also interested in the background of her models. She loves interviewing them about the way they developed their talent and passion, the problems they face, their insecurities and secrets of their success.

Over the years, she's portrayed, in word and paint, leading Dutch jazz musicians (Wouter Hamel, Toon Roos, Peter Beets, Lils Mackintosh, Saskia Laroo, Boris), as well as Laura Vane and A.J. Croce.

Writings

For her first book "Jazz and Soul, talent in word and paint" (only available in Dutch) she interviewed and painted 15 Dutch jazz and soul musicians. She's also a regular writer for the online VoiceCouncil Magazine, the leading magazine for vocalists worldwide, and for Atelier Magazine, a Dutch/Belgian print art magazine.

Coaching

After a training by American creativity coach Eric Maisel, she is now combining her teaching and coaching skills, guiding creative (semi) professional talent in starting and finishing their own meaningful projects. In her own studio and at schools she also teaches children and beginning artists the basic principles of creating art, and helps them to find their own unique painting style.

Education

She was educated at the Academy for Art Direction and Design in Amsterdam. She was a commercial illustrator for a couple of years, until she became a student of Beatus Nijs, a well known and respected artist and friar. His strict and loving guidance made her decide to follow her heart and become a full time artist and teacher. She exhibited with societies of artists and solo, at Flehite Museum, Castle 't Kerckebosch, Groeneveld Castle and gallery Arthouse Van Stijn & van Stijn.

After contracting Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a paralyzing muscle disease, resembling polio), she had to learn to stand, walk and paint all over again. After 3 years of recovery she is now back, still having residual symptoms, which make walking outside of her home/studio impossible, and force her to live in a strict daily routine. But she's more passionate about talent than ever, determined to paint and write about the people who inspire her, hoping their stories will inspire others as well.

Paintings

You can watch her paintings in her online gallery. 

Additional reading:

- articles for VoiceCouncil Magazine, in English

• The Vocalist Dream
• Living with Critics
• Moving Beyond Covers
• Create Audience Magic
• Laura Vane's shameless self-promotion

- in Dutch

• In the press (newspapers and magazines)
• Look inside book

Questions

For any question or comments you can email the artist Dit e-mailadres is beschermd tegen spambots. U heeft Javascript nodig om het te kunnen zien.