MEET THE ARTIST

”I am not your typical artist”

Born in 1981, Marc van Rooijen is not your typical artist. Hailing from Utrecht, The Netherlands, Marc’s journey into the world of art took an unconventional path. He doesn’t boast a Bachelor of Arts degree or any traditional artist titles. Instead, he carries the accolade of being a Dutch National Mixed Martial Arts Champion.

After enduring significant injuries during his fighting career, Marc made a switch from the arena to the canvas, replacing his fighting gloves with oil paints, brushes, and palette knives. Initially grounded in realism, Marc’s inspiration and profound passion for sports began to seep into his work, leading to a captivating transformation towards a dynamic and semi-abstract style. His art centers around people, capturing their essence with a blend of realism and abstract complexity.

In addition to traditional paintings, Marc crafts vibrant digital portraits. These portraits redefine a person’s identity by breaking their face into color blocks, adding an intriguing dimension to their essence. 

REFERENCES

Marc is honored that sports legends like Mike Tyson, Valentino Rossi and Rodtang are owners of his art work. Football legend Ronaldinho has shared one of Marc’s artworks on his social media platforms. Moreover, Marc has undertaken commissioned projects for prominent Dutch National Football stars, including Denzel Dumfries, Riechedly Bazoer, Jairo Riedewald, Quincy Promes and Glory’s World Kickboxing Champion Jason Wilnis. Since 2019, Marc’s portfolio has found representation at the prestigious NYA Gallery.  

Experience the unique fusion of art and athleticism in Marc’s work. Discover your own connection with his captivating creations. Contact him today to explore the possibilities!