Born in the Netherlands, I spent my formative years in Holland, Indonesia and France before moving to the United States. I have enjoyed painting since I was 12 years old. I spent my  career as an art director, graphic artist and designer and operated my own design studio for 25  years before dedicating my time exclusively to painting. 

My love of the impressionist and post impressionist movements has influenced my painting style and is evident in my tendency to loose, gestural and immediate brushwork. I participate in juried en plein air events, nationwide juried competitions and also paint studio commission work. My ongoing national and international travels continue to be inspiration for much of my subject matter. 

AWARDS and DISTINCTIONS 

Honorable Mention: 2022 Birmingham Our Town Art Show 

First Place: 2022 Ford House Plein Air event 

Second Place: Northville Art House Maybury State Park Plein Air 2021 

Honorable Mention and Award of Recognition: Paint Grand Traverse 2020 Invitational Honorable Mention and Award of Recognition: Paint Grand Traverse 2019 Invitational First Place: 2019 Northport Plein Air Event 

Best in Show: 2018 Northport Plein Air Event 

Best in Show: 2018 Great Lakes Bay En Plein Air Juried Division 

2018 Oil Painters of America (OPA) Salon Show of Traditional Oils, Traverse City Best in Show: 2018 St. John’s Plein Air Festival 

Best in Show: 2017 Great Lakes Bay En Plein Air Juried Division 

Second Place: 2017 Great Lakes Bay En Plein Air Quick Draw 

Judge 2017 Jackson Civic Arts Association Plein Air 

Best Brighton View 2017 Livingston Plein Air Event 

Judge 2017 FRESH Plein Air Milford 

Second Place: 2016 Great Lakes Bay En Plein Air Juried Division 

First Place: 2016 Glen Arbor Plein Air Paint Out Juried Division 

Second Place: 2016 Traverse City Crooked Tree Gallery Plein Air Paint Out Honorable Mention: 2015 Great Lakes Bay En Plein Air Juried Division 

Third place: 2014 Dexter Plein Air Festival Juried Division 

MEMBERSHIPS 

Detroit Scarab Club 

Crooked Tree Arts Center 

The American Impressionist Society 

The Laguna Plein Air Painters Association 

Oil Painters of America 

The Michigan Plein Air Painters 

The International Plein Air Painters Artists Organization 

The Glen Arbor Art Association 

The Great Lakes Plein Air Painters Association 

The Plymouth Community Arts Council 

The Northport Arts Association 

Website: cornelisvanspronsen.com Instagram: cornelisvanspronsenart

Cornelis’ Work