Magosja, an abstract painter and designer who recently traded Amsterdam for the rural calm of Twente.

She began her artistic journey at the age of seventeen when she attended the AKI (Academy for Art & Design) in Enschede, followed by studies at the Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. She later graduated from the prestigious Gerrit Rietveld Academy in 1990.

Initially, she embarked on a career as a designer, eventually rising to the position of Art Director at prominent Dutch lifestyle magazines. In 2015, she returned to painting—her original passion developed during her time at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy—this time with renewed focus and depth. Since then, she has dedicated herself entirely to her artistic pursuits.

Magosja’s large-scale abstract expressionist paintings draw inspiration from the “Soak-Stain Technique” pioneered by American artist Helen Frankenthaler. In this method, diluted oil or acrylic paint is gracefully applied to the canvas, creating a watercolor-like effect as it is absorbed entirely. This process transforms the paint into pure color, shedding its material quality.

Magosja’s move from the urban Randstad to the rural landscape of Twente sparked a renewed connection with nature. This shift not only deepened her inspiration but also influenced her choice of materials. In her recent work, she increasingly focuses on using elements that exist in harmony with the earth. She works with natural pigments, lime, and other raw materials that offer a pure, layered aesthetic—while creating a tangible connection between art, nature, and origin.

Working with a profound sense of intuition, Magosja allows her creations to unfold spontaneously. Each painting begins with an intuitive impulse, often guided by color, and evolves in a free, organic way. She works in different techniques across periods and enjoys experimenting with various materials. Her tranquil canvases are frequently inspired by poetry, emotion, or an abstract interpretation of nature, reflecting the depth and versatility of her artistic vision.

Magosja works very intuitively, the work therefore arises in a spontaneous way. Her serene canvases are often inspired by a photograph or an emotion, but it can also be an abstraction of nature.