We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Engeline Logtenberg a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Engeline thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I am a self-taught artist with no formal training, driven by an enduring passion for oil painting. Guided by a belief in the power of trial and error, I embarked on my painting journey, continually refining my skills and techniques through hands-on practice.
I believe I needed time to grow into my new role as an artist. After experiencing life-changing events, I required a period of healing and self-reinvention to determine my future path. Once the time was right, inspiration struck, I met the right people, and opportunities began to arise.While talent is essential, it is not enough to become a successful painter. Discipline, focus, determination, and a relentless pursuit of perfection are equally important. However, one cannot force the natural flow of inspiration; I only paint when I am in the creative zone.

Following your passion is crucial. You can achieve anything if you set your mind to it, provided it comes from a genuine place. This dedication fosters confidence, which is essential for success. Trust your instincts and never let others dictate your potential.

Being open-minded is also invaluable. We can never know everything, and there is always much to learn from others.One of the greatest obstacles can be a lack of self-belief. I have been fortunate to receive constructive feedback on my work from professionals, art enthusiasts, family, and friends. However, I have struggled with insecurity in the past.

Learning to use criticism to your advantage is essential for growth and skill development. While it was challenging for me to master, it is crucial for progressing and avoiding stagnation.

Engeline, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born on December 4th, 1970, in the small village of Oberdonven. My parents, originally from the Netherlands, immigrated to Luxembourg in 1964 to start a dairy farm. I retained my father’s Dutch nationality. In 1990, I married into another farming family. My husband and I partnered with my in-laws for ten years on a leased dairy farm. After the landlady’s death, her grandson inherited the property, and continuing the lease was no longer feasible. By that time, the dairy industry was facing numerous challenges, including the introduction of milk quotas and increased regulations. With three children, we decided to seek a more promising future for our young family in the United States.

After an initial five-year lease of a farm in Hico, Texas, we were able to purchase a business with 600 acres of land in Dublin, TX. I primarily managed the paperwork for our operations, which included 2,000 milking cows, 1,000 heifers, 500 calves, and 25 employees. In 2013, we sold our farm, and a year later, my husband and I divorced.

At that point, I had to completely reinvent myself. I operated a cottage bakery for a few years and searched for a property to start a Bed & Breakfast, both with little success. During these years, I rediscovered my lifelong passion for art. However, it wasn’t until after I moved to Fort Worth that I began to take this passion to the next level. In the summer of 2018, I moved into my new home, which I swiftly transformed into a serene place to host family and friends and find peace and tranquility to heal from life-changing events. This environment allowed me to focus on creating artwork and reconnect with my farming roots by planting a garden.

In the beginning of my painting career, I focused primarily on botanicals, aiming to showcase the beauty of nature and encourage environmental stewardship. My body of work includes intimate renderings of flowers, landscapes, seascapes, skyscapes, and still lifes. Recently, I have challenged myself to paint from intuition, resulting in more impressionistic works. Unlike many other artists, I strive to produce work that radiates positivity. While some artists channel their negative emotions into their work, I prefer to overcome and heal from my traumas first, with the goal of making the world a more beautiful place.

Although I enjoy experimenting with different styles, I always return to photorealism. I love to upscale the size of my work, demanding the viewer’s attention through the contrast between realistic textures, colors, light effects, and a dark background. My latest work is a wildlife series, intended to advocate for environmentalism.

I generally let my instincts guide my creative process, but I am also open to commission work if there is interest. I let things happen organically, which has helped me with my personal development.

In the future, I plan to venture further into self-exploration by attempting self-portraits. I believe this will help me grow even more into my own power as an artist. Coming from a male-dominated background, it took me almost half a century to free myself from limited belief systems and become the woman I am today. With my art and my story, I hope to be an example for other women to do the same.

In 2020, I secured representation with the William Campbell Art Gallery. When Peeler J. Howell left WCG in 2023 to start his own gallery, I decided to follow him. I also partnered with high-end designer Adian Wright, who displays and sells my artwork at Wright-At-Home at Clearfork. In January 2024, I launched my website: www.engelinelogtenberg.com. In May of this year, I was featured in the prominent Fort Worth 360West and 76107 lifestyle magazines.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the ability to work independently, following the organic flow of inspiration and creating when I feel inspired. Doing what I love ensures that my work never truly feels like labor. Additionally, witnessing people become emotional upon viewing my work is incredibly special; touching someone’s soul through my art is a profound and fulfilling experience.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As mentioned earlier, my goal is to remind people of the uniqueness of our planet and to inspire reflection and discussion about our role in environmental betterment. Additionally, I strive to bring beauty into the world through my art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.engelinelogtenberg.com
• Instagram: corneliaengelinapetra
• Facebook: Engeline Logtenberg
• Linkedin: Engeline Logtenberg

Image Credits

Jill Johnson
Brooke Mathis