Bio Page for Ave' Madiol Veneklasen

Ave’ Madiol Veneklasen is a figurative painter working primarily in acrylics and pastel.                     

Born in Illinois in 1952, she grew up surrounded by the paintings done by her Dutch grandfather, Arnold Madiol, and his ancestors, who were famous artists in the European tradition in the Netherlands. This visual exposure, along with the rich and colorful narratives by her father, James A. Madiol, led her to pursue her talents and graduate with high honors with a degree in Art/Painting from Grand Valley State University.

Ave’s work centers on the figure as a vehicle to express her enthusiasm about life. Her pieces are emotionally charged using bold color and definitive line. Her sensuous use of paint is direct and textural and she uses the poses of the models she works with to express not only their unique individuality but her passionate energy.

The recent work has centered on “the experience” of making art. Working from live models in the studio has given the new paintings abundant vitality and authenticity. In addition to the paintings, the pastel drawings are some of her freshest and most electrically charged work. Bold and direct, using rich and unexpected color, they capture the essence of the pose in the moment, with all of its deep language.

The past 2 years she has collaborated with 2 artists working in different genre to create multi media experiences.

The shows center around her visual art using it as a take off to inspire dance and music. “The Flight of the Senses”2004 brought her 6’ pastel drawings to life with modern dance and live music. “The Underwater Embrace” 2005 focused on her visual story about mermaids and mermen and the age old theme of intrigue, pursuit, and true love.

Ave’s work has won many awards and has been exhibited throughout the United States. She is a member of the Ann Arbor Women Painters and the Jackson Civic Art Association.

She currently teaches painting at Jackson Community College and does workshops at her studio.

She has two daughters and lives and works in Jackson Michigan with her husband Steven and her collie Sasha.