Info
Next to my profession I also sketch, draw, paint, make music and sometimes glassed objects.
Being an Architect I was always interested in how people lived, and how this was expressed into their culture, their art and their built environment.
To register this I started making sketches on my travels. Eventuelly this lead to becoming part of the Urban Sketching community, which I joined since it's start.
I am co-founder and secretary of the "Stichting Urban Sketching Nederland" and organizer of many Urban Sketching events.
My Vision
In my opinion understanding what you see and feel around you can only be achieved by direct observation. This direct contact enables me understanding the Urban complexities; whether you find it in buildings and urban surroundings, or in human form, faces and behaviour.
I always try to catch and express this Urban Sensibility into my sketches, drawings, paintings and glassworks.
Exhibitions and publications
1987-2025 Architect
2008-2012 Urban Sketching monthly correspondent (Seattle, USA)
2012 „The Art of Urban Sketching“, book by Gabi Campinario, including several of my paintings.
2010 Group exhibition Kerkrade VAZOM (NL)
2012 Group exhibition Ackland, North Carolina (USA)
2012 Group exhibition Kerkrade „Mirrors“ (NL)
2014 Group exhibition Landgraaf „de Mijnen“ (NL)
2014 4-day art-in-residence event in Liège (BE). Resulting in exhibition „Urban Sketching Liège“.
2014 Selected for „Alphons Winters Prize“ (NL)
2014 Group exhibitions in Kerkrade and Maastricht.
2014 and 2015: Teaching drawing for a Master study in Architecture, Maastricht (NL).
2014 and 2015: Giving a 5-day drawing workshop in Volterra, Tuscany (IT).
2014 Group exhibition Discovery museum, Kerkrade.
2015 „Liège des Urban Sketchers“ book by „Société d’Emulation“, including drawings of Liège (BE).
2017 Bi-annual group exhibition „Inbeeld“, Landgraaf.
2017-2025 Founder and Secretary of „Stichting Urban Sketching Netherlands“ (NL). Co-organizer of local and national sketchdays in the Netherlands.
2019 Co-organizing the 4-day International Urban Sketching Symposium in Amsterdam.
2023 Solo exhibition in Medical centre, Hulsberg (NL)
2025 Solo exhibition in Atelier 1, Laboe (D).
Statement
In my opinion direct observation, preferably on location, forms the basis for all art. Only then will it be possible to catch what the eye, mind and feelings register.
And each different observation will need its own expression, whether it be sketches, drawing, paintings or glassworks.
Contact
rene.fijten@gmail.com