Belinda Martens Kjærulf

Could you tell us about your journey from studying fashion design and working in textile and print design to developing your practice as a visual artist?

I have always painted and drawn, but when it came to choosing a career, I felt it should be something that existed within a larger industry. Fashion design seemed like the perfect fit because it combined my love of colour with the possibility of artistic expression through clothing.

During my first years working in fashion, I discovered textile and print design and immediately fell in love with it. It allowed me to combine painting with product design, creating what I saw as a form of applied art. I loved translating hand-painted ideas into textiles that people could wear and live with.

At the same time, working as a textile designer meant constantly designing within trends, specific briefs, and tight deadlines. Everything moved quickly, and collections were often short-lived. Painting on canvas and paper offered me the opposite. It gave me the freedom to slow down and create something timeless. Now my work comes from within rather than responding to what is expected or currently in fashion. It allows me to explore ideas, emotions, and my connection to nature, creating work that feels deeply personal and authentic.

You were born in Germany and are now based in Copenhagen. How have these different cultural and natural environments influenced your artistic vision?

Germany’s vast natural landscapes have had a profound influence on my artistic practice. Nature represents the birth of all things and is a constant source of calm, happiness, and inspiration for me.

Moving to Denmark has taught me to appreciate beauty in everyday life and to slow down through the concept of “hygge”, finding presence and meaning in simple moments. I have also been deeply inspired by the Danish approach to design, where colour and materiality are considered with great intention.

I think my work exists somewhere between these two influences: the untamed richness of nature I grew up in and the quiet appreciation for colour, simplicity, and everyday beauty that I found in Denmark.

Belinda Martens Kjærulf | Transitions | 2026

Wildflowers, landscapes, and biodiversity play an important role in your work. What first drew you to these subjects, and what do they represent for you personally?

I grew up surrounded by forests, so wild nature was a big part of my childhood. When I moved to the city as a young adult, I gradually lost touch with how deeply connected I was to it.

After a stressful period and experiencing burnout from the fashion industry, I found my way back to nature and rediscovered how much it meant to me. I started learning more about biodiversity and how we can help nature thrive, which strengthened my connection to the natural world.

For me, wildflowers and landscapes represent calmness, authenticity, and a way to reconnect with myself. They offer a sense of escape from everyday worries and remind me of the beauty and resilience of the natural world.

You primarily work with acrylics and oil pastels. What possibilities do these materials offer you, particularly when creating layers, textures, and atmospheric effects?

Both acrylics and oil pastels offer a sense of spontaneity and unpredictability that I really enjoy. Acrylics allow me to work intuitively with layers, as the paint dries quickly and sometimes reveals unexpected textures underneath. Oil pastels add a rich, tactile quality and enhance the sensory feeling of my work. I love the expressive, almost impressionistic atmosphere I can create with these mediums.

Belinda Martens Kjærulf | Nowhere | 2026

Do you usually begin with a particular place, photograph, sketch, or memory, or does each landscape gradually emerge through the painting process?

When I’m on hikes or walks, I gather inspiration by observing nature. From these experiences, an idea or theme gradually begins to emerge. My most recent series, Behind the House, is inspired by the wildflower meadow behind my parents’ house, which is also my childhood home. I spent countless hours there as a child, often oblivious to its beauty because it felt so ordinary. Through this collection, I want to encourage people to appreciate and care for the nature that surrounds us. Even if it’s just a patch of wildflowers or weeds in a local park.

I usually begin with a reference image, either one I have taken myself or one I have received permission to use from a photographer. However, I never copy the image directly. I use it as a starting point, allowing myself to add, remove, or change elements intuitively. Through the painting process, the landscape slowly transforms and a certain mood or feeling begins to emerge.

What emotions or sensations do you hope viewers experience when they encounter your landscapes?

The most meaningful response is when viewers tell me that my paintings remind them of a place they have visited or a memory from their past. It might evoke the warmth of a holiday, the feeling of their childhood, or a place they deeply miss. I find it beautiful to create something that can awaken personal memories and positive emotions in others.

More than anything, I hope my work offers a moment of peace. I want people to slow down, take time to observe, and discover the small details within the painting. If they can get lost in it for a while and reconnect with the positive energy that nature brings, then I have achieved what I set out to do. I hope my paintings evoke feelings of warmth, reassurance, inner peace, joy, and perhaps a touch of nostalgia.

Belinda Martens Kjærulf | Butterfly Meadow | 2024

How has your artistic practice evolved through your exhibitions in Germany and Copenhagen, and what new directions would you like to explore in the future?

In the beginning, I worked with more abstract motifs and gradually found my own visual language through exploring the beauty of nature. My exhibitions in Germany and Copenhagen have helped me develop confidence in this direction and understand how my work connects with viewers.

In the future, I would like to continue exploring different surfaces, such as painting on raw canvas or wood, and see how these supports can influence the expression and atmosphere of my work.

I also hope to explore the theme of preservation and biodiversity more deeply, supporting environmental conservation programmes that focus on restoring wildflower meadows and natural habitats for insects and other endangered species. I would love for my art to contribute to raising awareness and, in some way, help protect the landscapes that inspire my work.