Wendy van Boxtel

Lives and works in Mechanicsville, VA

Artist statement

An immigrant from the Netherlands, a foster and adoptive parent, and a storyteller of lived experiences, Wendy van Boxtel grounds her art in transformation, both personal and perceptual. The chapters of her life shape how she sees the world and how she invites others to see it through her work. Her practice centers on the interplay between illusion, perspective, and emotional truth. By merging painted optical effects with distorted, seemingly three-dimensional forms, she blurs the line between painting and sculpture. At first glance, a piece may appear fragmented or unclear, but when the viewer shifts position, the work begins to reveal structure, meaning, and clarity. Van Boxtel’s art is rooted in transformation, growth, strength, and change. Her work reflects a journey from confusion, instability, and uncertainty toward safety, understanding, and hope. Viewers are invited to look beyond the surface, to find pieces of themselves within the work, and to connect with the resilience carried inside each piece. Balancing humor with emotional resonance, Wendy creates work that sparks curiosity, reflection, and interaction. She wants her art to whisper, to shout, to sing, and to call people in. Each piece becomes an immersive invitation to pause, explore, and rediscover what it means to see differently. Her practice is a powerful testament to how one caring perspective, one act of understanding, or one moment of compassion can help rewrite a future.

Artwork