My research explores the meaning and importance of the brushstroke in 17th-century art and how it connects to abstraction in the 21st century. I focus on artists like Rembrandt and Frans Hals, isolating and digitizing their brushstrokes to create new digital abstract artworks. These digital pieces are printed as fine art and enhanced with traditional materials and varnishes, then framed in antique frames for a cohesive look.

By removing the brushstroke from its original context and placing it in a new story, I create a fresh perspective while preserving the essence of the original artist. My goal is to capture the “soul” of these masters. For example, what does an abstract Rembrandt mean, and how is an abstract Frans Hals unique compared to other old masters?

This research looks at old masters in the broadest sense. By continually reworking brushstrokes from different artists, I imagine how abstract art might have looked in the 17th century. This creates a conversation between past and present, blending historical art with a reimagined abstract reality.