Born in 1954 in Amsterdam, Maarten Tonneyck grew up immersed in the city’s flourishing arts scene, which influenced his early pursuits in musical composition, theater performance, and visual arts. He studied at the State Academy of Fine Arts (Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten), a prestigious university-level institution with connections to renowned artists like Piet Mondrian and ties to the international Impressionist movement.

His father, René Pierre Tonneyck, an accomplished painter, introduced him to the world of art.

What was Maarten’s state of mind at that time? The following passages offer a glimpse:

A liar in a twisted world needs words. Paintings cannot lie—they are always true beyond words, displayed honestly for your eyes. This is the artist’s belief, bringing him relief.

Austria’s mountains and forests—his mother’s homeland—profoundly influenced his youth. Nature spoke more clearly to him than his struggling human family ever could. One can feel less lonely alone in a forest than surrounded by crowds at a Friday night party.

His childhood home stood beside Amsterdam’s Zoo, further deepening his connection to the natural world.

Imagine walking into a forest where you hear no sounds—not even the crackling beneath your feet. That silence would be frightening. In reality, we are surrounded by nature’s background music: singing winds, whispering trees, calling birds, dancing flowers. This honest community speaks a wordless language, waiting to be painted.

Tonneyck remains unsatisfied until his paintings breathe with this sense of life and energy—capturing breath itself in brush strokes.

Artistic Journey

Tonneyck began his American art journey in the 1990s, creating portraits for Chicago community leaders before evolving into landscape painting. As a resident of Hoffman Estates, he became an active member of both the Hoffman Estates Art League and Arts Commission.

Crabtree Forest Preserve in Palatine became home to his first large landscape painting on permanent display. He held solo exhibitions throughout the local area, including shows at Prairie Arts Center in Schaumburg and Good Shepherd Fitness Center in Barrington, while also participating in numerous group exhibitions. He shared his knowledge through teaching in various formats.

Recent Work and Contact

In Barrington, Illinois, Maarten Tonneyck’s work was featured at a local art show on September 17, 2020. A recording of this presentation can be viewed on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NPB_mXHS89g?t=84

For a video interview, search “Maarten Tonneyck” on Google.

Contact: speakingpaintings@protonmail.com

Website: https://www.maartentonneyck.com/