For Sharon of Studio Vreeken, art has always come naturally. “I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember,” she says. Still, it took a while before she realised that this love could become her profession. Through fashion, architecture and eventually product design, she found her way into the interior world. And it was there, among materials, atmospheres and styles, that the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
“In the interior industry, I saw how art elevates a space and completes it. That was the moment everything clicked: my interest in design, my love for interiors and my drive to create again.” When she was allowed to create an entire art collection for a project through her job, Sharon realised it was time to start Studio Vreeken . Commissions, collaborations and visibility soon followed. “Things began rolling on their own the moment I started making and sharing more.”
The balance between aesthetics and usability
Although Sharon works mostly from intuition, her background in product design is always with her. “I don’t think product design directly defines my work, but everything you’ve ever learnt shows up somewhere,” she says. She uses her sketching skills, Adobe knowledge and practical mindset daily. That combination of intuitive painting and design thinking gives her art a strong balance between aesthetics and usability. “I mostly create from my own preferences in linework and colour palettes, but I do think about whether others will like it. Although honestly, there’s no predicting that,” she laughs.
Inspiration is something Sharon never has to look for; it simply flows. Sometimes it’s a dream, a vague colour palette that lingered somewhere, or the feeling of a place. “My subconscious stores everything, and later it suddenly comes back when I start a new piece.” She names Mark Rothko as a favourite for his depth, but retro influences, the colours of HK Living and even South American westerns also shape her world.
She also has a deep love for diversity: different cultures, people and characteristics. “I don’t know exactly what artistic movement that belongs to, but it speaks to me and keeps returning.”
She also has a deep love for diversity: different cultures, people and characteristics. “I don’t know exactly what artistic movement that belongs to, but it speaks to me and keeps returning.”
Finding a personal signature: freedom as a strength
Sharon’s work is known for the calmness, warmth and humanity that radiates from it, but that signature didn’t appear overnight. “For a long time, I was searching for my own style. At first, I let myself be influenced quite a lot by what I saw online.” She began by repainting images she admired—not to copy, but to understand what drew her to them. “The positive reactions motivated me to continue and discover new techniques. Only later did I find ways to make it truly my own.”
Female portraits remain a golden thread in her work, but her style continues to shift. “I can’t choose between realistic, illustrative, neutral or colourful. But maybe that’s exactly my strength: my style is just as changeable as I am.”
Sharon never paints with the intention of forcing a certain emotion. “I simply make what I find beautiful or what fits into an interior. Sometimes it’s linked to a memory, like my piece Nasi Goreng Bintang, which goes back to our trip through Indonesia.” She loves when people recognise something in her work, but prefers to leave room for their own interpretation. “There’s no hidden message. It’s exactly what you see in it.”
Female portraits remain a golden thread in her work, but her style continues to shift. “I can’t choose between realistic, illustrative, neutral or colourful. But maybe that’s exactly my strength: my style is just as changeable as I am.”
Sharon never paints with the intention of forcing a certain emotion. “I simply make what I find beautiful or what fits into an interior. Sometimes it’s linked to a memory, like my piece Nasi Goreng Bintang, which goes back to our trip through Indonesia.” She loves when people recognise something in her work, but prefers to leave room for their own interpretation. “There’s no hidden message. It’s exactly what you see in it.”
Craft in a digital age: layering remains essential
Despite the rise of digital art, craftsmanship remains essential for Sharon. “More and more people want original works, with visible layers of paint, structure and depth. You can never fully capture that in a print.” Still, the digital world is just as valuable to her. On her iPad, she tests compositions, colours and ideas. “One doesn’t replace the other, but digital saves time and makes my work more accessible to more people.”
She doesn’t really have rituals—flow is her guide. “If I feel like painting, I go. If I don’t, I just don’t start.” Sometimes she disappears into her work for hours, sometimes she’s finished after an hour. “I try not to put pressure on having to paint. That takes the joy out of it. And without joy, no good work will come.”
Despite the rise of digital art, craftsmanship remains essential for Sharon. “More and more people want original works, with visible layers of paint, structure and depth. You can never fully capture that in a print.” Still, the digital world is just as valuable to her. On her iPad, she tests compositions, colours and ideas. “One doesn’t replace the other, but digital saves time and makes my work more accessible to more people.”
She doesn’t really have rituals—flow is her guide. “If I feel like painting, I go. If I don’t, I just don’t start.” Sometimes she disappears into her work for hours, sometimes she’s finished after an hour. “I try not to put pressure on having to paint. That takes the joy out of it. And without joy, no good work will come.”
How The Livingroom elevated her work
For the photoshoot of her collection, Sharon looked for a calm, luxurious space with natural light. Our studio, The Livingroom , offered exactly what she needed. “The daylight was so beautiful. Even without sunshine, it had this luxurious softness I was looking for.”
The neutral tones and designer furniture completed the space. “My work truly had room to breathe. And because The Livingroom has several corners and set-ups, we were able to create so much variety. I’ve got enough content for weeks.”
For the photoshoot of her collection, Sharon looked for a calm, luxurious space with natural light. Our studio, The Livingroom , offered exactly what she needed. “The daylight was so beautiful. Even without sunshine, it had this luxurious softness I was looking for.”
The neutral tones and designer furniture completed the space. “My work truly had room to breathe. And because The Livingroom has several corners and set-ups, we were able to create so much variety. I’ve got enough content for weeks.”
Visibility as an artist: create, share and stay true to yourself
Sharon grew online simply by continuing to create. “Create a lot and share everything; that naturally creates a consistent atmosphere.” Reels caused an explosion in reach. She also collaborates deliberately with interior influencers, often through giveaways.
And then there’s her signature quote: “I’ll keep revealing my art until I can buy a Porsche.” Now a well-known part of her brand identity. “It’s a joke, but with a wink,” she laughs. “I keep making new versions: until I’ve paid off my student loan, until I can buy a Harley… It keeps things light and recognisable. In the end, it’s all about doing the work, capturing it and sharing it.”
And then there’s her signature quote: “I’ll keep revealing my art until I can buy a Porsche.” Now a well-known part of her brand identity. “It’s a joke, but with a wink,” she laughs. “I keep making new versions: until I’ve paid off my student loan, until I can buy a Harley… It keeps things light and recognisable. In the end, it’s all about doing the work, capturing it and sharing it.”
Creative team credits
Mabel Rog Florine Schilling
