HELLO THERE

 

I’m Neelke Lelubre: it’s nice to meet you! I’ll gladly introduce myself. I'm a contemporary figurative painter based in Erpe-Mere, Belgium.

​​

EDUCATION

​

I started painting in 2018 when I lived in Canada for a while. I visited a lot of art museums and exhibitions and decided: I have to know how to do this! So I started taking lessons at the Ottawa Art Academy.

 

When I came back to Belgium I wanted to continue my growing process and started at the Art Academy in Wetteren, where I received my diplomas in 2024.

 

In June 2025, I received the "Bronzen Arsène" (read more) for painting, a fantastic award and wonderful recognition that I'm on the right track. 

​

ARTIST STATEMENT

​

I can describe my style as vibrant and colourful with a strong hint of nostalgia. I don't paint realistically, but always figuratively and expressively. The combination of yearning for the past and the bright colours in my work create a vivid experience of a time we didn't necessarily live through. I always paint from escapism: escaping the grey reality of the present and disappearing into a colourful world when "everything used to be better" defines my work.

​

I've always had a soft spot for the 40s, 50s and 60s: the fashion, the interiors, the music and the nostalgia in general. My paintings bring back memories of that time with bright colours and a longing for the "good old days. My inspiration can differ from my grandfathers' family photos to scenes from films and TV series set in the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

 

In my latest work, I'm exploring quiet moments of human connection. I am drawn to the subtleties of everyday life—the unspoken tension in a glance, the stillness between words, and the fleeting gestures that reveal inner worlds. My paintings often capture intimate domestic scenes, where the ordinary becomes charged with emotional resonance.

​

Colour plays a central role in my work, shaping mood and emphasizing the psychological landscape of each scene. I use vibrant contrasts to highlight relationships and emotional dualities, inviting the viewer to step into the private moments of my subjects. Each composition is crafted to draw the observer into the scene, creating a sense of presence and empathy.

​

Through my art, I aim to explore the depth and complexity of human experience, making the invisible emotions visible and celebrating the quiet intensity of shared moments.​

 

Feel free to click around and join me in my colourful retro world!

 

Very kind regards and hopefully hear from you soon. ​

Neelke​​​​​

​​