Kim Van Stygeren is a Canadian contemporary portrait artist based in Niagara, Ontario, whose work fuses classical realism with bold material experimentation. Trained in Paris, she brings a refined sensibility to each subject, blending structure and emotion through oil, acrylic, and mixed media. Known for her use of unconventional surfaces like wood, metal, and glass, Van Stygeren creates portraits that explore identity, vulnerability, and individuality. Her expressive and layered works are held in collections worldwide and continue to resonate with collectors seeking thoughtful, technically sophisticated figurative art.
KIM VAN STYGEREN
Kim Van Stygeren
(b. 1964, Toronto | Lives and works in Niagara, Canada)
Kim Van Stygeren is a Canadian contemporary portrait artist known for combining realistic portraiture with innovative uses of material. Her work merges classical technique with modern media, appealing to collectors who value technical mastery, emotional depth, and material experimentation.
She trained for three years in Paris in both classical realism and graphic design, developing a distinctive approach grounded in structure, design, and emotional presence. Drawing from the unique characteristics of each subject-interpreted through pattern, texture, and color-Van Stygeren creates portraits that reflect the true essence of the individual.
Working in oil, acrylic, and mixed media-including digital video, glass, wood, and metal-her practice explores the individuality and emotional resonance of her subjects. Her process is both intuitive and deliberate, resulting in layered, expressive works that invite reflection and connection.
A practicing artist since the early 1980s, Van Stygeren has exhibited widely, with works held in collections around the world, including museum and public gallery holdings.
Kim Van Stygeren. Sketches. Lingerie, 2025 mixed media 12" x 12" $250