In Georges de Groot’s paintings, a childlike spirit and a bold approach to color and texture are combined. Working in acrylics on canvas, he creates a world in which whimsical characters are placed in vivid abstract settings. Aiming for what he calls “a contrasting explosion of shapes, depths and colors,” de Groot employs his dynamic brushwork to strong effect, giving each color and figure an active, vital presence. Colors overlap in rough combinations that call collage or street art to mind, but there is always an inherent balance and harmony that reveal the artist’s finely tuned visual sense. The powerful lines in his compositions give them an iconic depth that contrasts with what initially appears to be their lighthearted nature. “My inspirations come from my life experience,” he says, “things like childhood stories, the monsters and fairies that inhabited the books I read and the tough times of my life.” Those inspirations are reflected in the interaction of moods and tones in his works, resulting in a complex experience for the viewer. The artist lives and works in the Netherlands.