Karen van de Vliet

By Karen van der Vliet
40 × 30 cm, 2026
Mixed mixed on cotton, framed

With Translucent II, Karen van de Vliet combines soft areas of colour with sharp vertical lines and translucent layers. Shades of pale blue, pink, black and white create a composition that feels both energetic and calm. The surface reveals traces of the making process, allowing material and colour to remain visible beneath the upper layers. The work brings a sense of lightness and depth to a space and interacts subtly with natural daylight.
This work will be shipped within the Netherlands and Belgium at no additional cost, securely and with tracking.

By Karen van der Vliet
40 × 30 cm, 2026
Mixed mixed on cotton, framed

In Translucent I, Karen van de Vliet explores the relationship between transparency, colour and material. Layers of transparant materials and paint overlap and partially conceal one another, creating a composition that shifts with the changing light. Soft blue tones, bright yellow accents and areas of white and black give the work a sense of balance while preserving its spontaneous character. The sculptural surface brings depth to the piece, making it equally suited to contemporary interiors and carefully assembled gallery walls.
This work will be shipped within the Netherlands and Belgium at no additional cost, securely and with tracking.

By Karen van der Vliet
23 × 18 cm, 2026
Mixed acrylic paint on cotton, framed

In the Bubblegum series, Karen van de Vliet explores the physical boundaries of painting. Her work moves beyond the flat surface, developing into a relief-like terrain where thick paint accumulates and expands into an almost sculptural form.
Working with a dense and viscous medium, she builds layered structures that suggest organic formations or microscopic landscapes. The compositions remain abstract, yet distinctly physical: the gesture is embedded in the surface, and movement and pressure remain visible.
Colour plays a defining role in this series. In Bubblegum, Van de Vliet uses bold and luminous tones that contrast with the weight and density of the material. This tension between playful colour and physical intensity gives the work its character.
These paintings approach abstraction as a material process, where paint itself becomes the central subject rather than merely a carrier of colour.

This work will be shipped within the Netherlands and Belgium at no additional cost, securely and with tracking.

By Karen van der Vliet
23 × 18 cm, 2026
Mixed acrylic paint on cotton, framed

In the Bubblegum series, Karen van de Vliet explores the physical boundaries of painting. Her work moves beyond the flat surface, developing into a relief-like terrain where thick pink paint accumulates and expands into an almost sculptural form.
Working with a dense and viscous medium, she builds layered structures that suggest organic formations or microscopic landscapes. The compositions remain abstract, yet distinctly physical: the gesture is embedded in the surface, and movement and pressure remain visible.
Colour plays a defining role in this series. In Bubblegum, Van de Vliet uses bold and luminous tones that contrast with the weight and density of the material. This tension between playful colour and physical intensity gives the work its character.
These paintings approach abstraction as a material process, where paint itself becomes the central subject rather than merely a carrier of colour.

This work will be shipped within the Netherlands and Belgium at no additional cost, securely and with tracking.

By Karen van der Vliet
23 × 18 cm, 2025
Mixed acrylic paint on cotton, framed

Poppie XXX10 is part of Karen van de Vliet's ongoing Poppie series, in which colour and material are allowed to expand beyond the boundaries of the canvas. Built up in translucent layers of mixed media, the work balances soft pastel tones with vivid fluorescent accents and subtle shifts in transparency.

Moving between painting and object, the composition remains open and fluid. Changes in light and perspective reveal new relationships between colour, depth and material, giving the work a playful and constantly evolving presence.

This work will be shipped within the Netherlands and Belgium at no additional cost, securely and with tracking.

By Karen van der Vliet
22 × 17 cm, 2025
Mixed acrylic paint on cotton, framed

With Poppie, Karen van de Vliet introduces a playful new series inspired by a handmade doll she once created for her son. The works carry that same sense of softness and affection, combining sculptural layers of paint with materials such as acrylic mediums, sand and other textural additives that give each piece its own distinctive surface and depth.

As with her previous work, the material leads the way. Colour is applied intuitively, pushed and pulled until it settles into rounded forms that extend beyond the edges of the canvas. The result sits between painting and object: vivid, tactile pieces that translate memory, touch and chance into an immediate visual language.

This series highlights Karen’s ongoing exploration of materiality, colour and texture, qualities that make her work increasingly sought-after among collectors looking for expressive, highly physical contemporary painting.

This work will be shipped within the Netherlands and Belgium at no additional cost, securely and with tracking.

By Karen van der Vliet
23 × 18 cm, 2025
Mixed acrylic paint on cotton, framed

Poppie XXX #7 is a small abstract mixed media artwork by Dutch artist Karen van de Vliet. Thick layers of pastel blue material partially cover a composition of soft pinks, fluorescent orange, pale green and gestural black accents beneath. The paint extends over the edges of the canvas and interacts directly with the wooden frame, creating a work that sits between painting and sculpture. Through colour, texture and layering, Karen van de Vliet explores material tension, surface and spontaneity within a compact format.

This work will be shipped within the Netherlands and Belgium at no additional cost, securely and with tracking.

By Karen van der Vliet
23 × 18 cm, 2025
Mixed acrylic paint on cotton, framed

With Poppie, Karen van de Vliet introduces a playful new series inspired by a handmade doll she once created for her son. The works carry that same sense of softness and affection, combining sculptural layers of paint with materials such as acrylic mediums, sand and other textural additives that give each piece its own distinctive surface and depth.

As with her previous work, the material leads the way. Colour is applied intuitively, pushed and pulled until it settles into rounded forms that extend beyond the edges of the canvas. The result sits between painting and object: vivid, tactile pieces that translate memory, touch and chance into an immediate visual language.

This series highlights Karen’s ongoing exploration of materiality, colour and texture, qualities that make her work increasingly sought-after among collectors looking for expressive, highly physical contemporary painting.

This work will be shipped within the Netherlands and Belgium at no additional cost, securely and with tracking.

By Karen van de Vliet
85 × 65 cm, 2026
Mixed acrylic paint on cotton, framed

Translucent XVIII by Karen van de Vliet is built around a striking shift in weight. Fine lines of colour descend through pale, translucent paint before being drawn into a dense black form.

Yellow, blue, red and green remain visible within the darker surface, as if the colour continues beneath it. Differences in transparency, gloss and relief give this abstract painting a strong physical presence that becomes especially apparent at close range.

This original work by the Dutch painter measures 85 × 65 cm and is presented in a light wooden frame. It can be viewed by appointment at Root Gallery or acquired online.

Delivery within the Netherlands and Belgium is arranged in consultation, either in person or securely shipped.

By Karen van de Vliet
85 × 65 cm, 2026
Mixed acrylic paint on cotton, framed

In Translucent XIX, Karen van de Vliet takes the stain as her starting point: an unpredictable form that cannot be entirely controlled and therefore leaves room for unexpected beauty. Her fascination with such forms began in childhood, when ordinary sights - such as a puddle scattered with autumn leaves - could appear both beautiful and slightly strange.

Translucent layers, clearly defined lines and thicker areas of paint come together in a composition that seems suspended mid-flow. Pale blue, black and off-white are intersected by red, yellow and fluorescent pink. Underlying colours, gestures and traces remain visible, allowing the work to reveal new details when viewed up close.

In Translucent XIX, spontaneity is carefully balanced with structure. The work moves between accident and control, visual attraction and a subtle sense of dissonance.

Delivery within the Netherlands and Belgium is arranged in consultation, either in person or securely shipped.

By Karen van de Vliet
120 × 90 cm, 2026
Mixed acrylic paint on cotton, framed

In Translucent IX, Karen van de Vliet explores the unexpected beauty of a stain: an irregular form that seems accidental yet is carefully composed. Her fascination with such shapes began in childhood, through encounters with ordinary things that appeared both beautiful and slightly off, such as autumn leaves gathered in a puddle.

Translucent materials allow colours and traces from underlying layers to remain visible. Pale blue, black and off-white are interrupted by narrow lines and vivid accents of red, yellow and fluorescent pink. Some elements appear to flow downwards, while thicker areas of paint sit prominently on the surface. The result is a tactile abstract painting that shifts between movement and stillness, precision and chance.

Delivery within the Netherlands and Belgium is arranged in consultation, either in person or securely shipped.

By Karen van de Vliet
85 × 65 cm, 2026
Mixed Acrylic paint on cotton, framed

Translucent VII by Karen van de Vliet combines subtle pastel colours with darker elements and transparent layers. The composition reveals itself gradually, with areas of pink, cream, black and vivid accents emerging from beneath the surface. The work reflects the artist's ongoing interest in transparency and material, resulting in a painting with both presence and restraint.

Delivery within the Netherlands and Belgium is arranged in consultation, either in person or securely shipped.

By Karen van de Vliet
85 × 65 cm, 2026
Mixed Acrylic paint on cotton, framed

In Translucent VI, Karen van de Vliet works with luminous colours and transparent layers that reveal traces of movement and gesture. Areas of soft pink, lavender, yellow and black are brought together within a composition that feels open and spacious. The work occupies a place between painting and object, inviting the viewer to look closely at the relationship between colour, texture and light.

Delivery within the Netherlands and Belgium is arranged in consultation, either in person or securely shipped.

By Karen van de Vliet
290 x 140 cm, 2022
Mixed acrylic paint on cotton

From the series Color Poetry

Moving away from line and figurative art, Karen van de Vliet developed a new approach to her work that is focused on embracing an imperfect beauty. Working with the concept of a stain, Karen was able to go back to the base, to the essence, which continues to be at the core of her practice. She is intrigued by shapes that have arisen on the weathered, chipped, broken, planed and dented surfaces. In these weathered parts Karen finds the essence of true beauty. Taking inspiration from these findings, she creates wondrous abstract pieces that contemplate imperfection. Acrylic paint, water and differing other materials are intuitively applied - often to unstretched cotton - giving free rein to expression.

Personal delivery and installation within the Netherlands and Belgium are included with this work.