My name is Bas van Gaalen, born in 1953 in the city of Den Bosch, in the south of the Netherlands. 

Freedom comes first for me. After a technical education and the art academy I have traveled, lived and worked in various places in the world: Canada, USA, New Zealand, Bahrain and Spain. I have been living and working in France for almost 28 years now. 

I painted at a young age; As a study, I copied works by old masters. I gradually focused on painting portraits, which I still do to this day. I also built my own sailboat at a young age. I particularly liked working with wood, metal and other materials and has led to me being hands-on involved in many construction projects in addition to painting. That, too, has always been a welcome additional source of income.

With my wife Agnes, also an artist, I live and work in Burgundy, France. Together we have had an Art Workshop Center for years, with students from all over the world.

Currently I paint portraits and objects using oil-paint based on real and photographic material, sometimes also on commission. Through my many travels, work and encounters, I have gained an extra eye for character traits and characteristics of people who make my portraits striking with their own dynamics and characteristics.

You can contact me on my contactpage.