This painting is the story of Marlynn Amina van Alphen's youth.

When her first horse Linus entered her life, the goat Kwark didn't agree very much and wanted to protect Marlynn Amina from this new creature in the stable.

Kwark had always been the center of attention in Marlynn Amina's riding dreams: he pulled the carriage carrying both dogs, Joep and Chica, the birds, Wietje and Maya, and of course the little painter. On those fun days, chickens roamed everywhere in the garden and in the stables, times of pure happiness.

Her way of life hasn't changed much: Marlynn still rides her horses and her dogs to this day, occasionally chatting with them and hopping on horseback around the fields. These animals never left her world.

Even though now the animals aren’t continuously by her side and don’t carry the artist around anymore as often as in the past, she carries many fond memories in her heart.

"Faded memories", of moments that seemed to last forever. Sometimes very clear, other times rather vague or barely recognizable. There are many emotions in these memories; feelings of belonging, a refuge, a place to be herself and to be welcomed. On top of that many learning experiences, as her animals mirrored her life and taught Marlynn how to manage her emotions and how to stay in touch with them and with herself.

"Faded memories" of many of her animals from her life, but also of feelings that many will recognize.

Watercolors and graphite offer a perfect way to show the clear but vague details of emotions, leaving room for others to find their stories and their memories: the stories are told through the eyes of the viewer. Marlynn wants to leave us with a question: "What story do you see?"

Watercolours are Marlynn Amina van Alphen’s preferred medium, because they allow a freedom of movement on paper, with a wide range of possible colours and styles, as well as the mixed media possibilities.

The diversity of watercolours has inspired the Dutch artist for years and her style has evolved. She took inspiration not only from artists that came before her, but also from flora and fauna. Horses, dogs, humans, and their connection towards each other and to nature have long influenced Marlynn's art and continue to do so, as she tries to challenge people to look further than what seems to be there.

As all these creatures are influenced by climate change, her paintings often hint to those (invisibly) affected by the changing climate. Such as insects, flowers, and water, which, if rightly placed on the paper, will form animals of all sorts. Thus, she tells stories to the wondering brain, with surrealistic touches in a realistic setting.

Not only she transfers her own ideas into art, but she also works commission based. Most of Marlynn's works depict horses, dogs, and humans – and you will often spot one or more butterflies. Her works have been shown via various platforms; her own social media, at several expositions in the Netherlands as well as at Art&Cavallo at Fieracavalli in Verona (2021).

Marlynn Amina van Alphen, 1993, Dutch. Watercolours artist.

www.mamina-art.com

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“Faded Memories”, Medium: watercolours and graphite, 24x34cm

Marlynn Amina van Alphen is a member of the  Paard Verzameld Collective.

Through international collaboration between Paard Verzameld and the Horse Museum Foundation, the painting will be exhibited during the Pratoni del Vivaro World Championships in September 2022.