Painting Waves for the Environment

Marieke Tollenaere is an oil painter based in Mallorca who has always looked to the sea for inspiration. In 2014 she committed to 'Making 100 Waves' to highlight the importance of protecting marine ecosystems. 

Over the past three years, Rikki has painted over 80 waves and a percentage from each sale is donated to Asociación Ondine, a marine conservation organisation based in Palma de Mallorca. Her work is an example of paying close attention to our environment and in so doing, brings to light the ocean's extraodinary variations, from calm swirls to stormy surges.     

Rikki has some exciting new projects to announce: "For the twelfth year, Rhythm of Blue gallery in Antigua continues to display my paintings amid the works of other creative talents on the island. For those living in Palma I am happy to announce my work can now also be found in La Libelula, a bespoke boutique home decor store by the Catalina market. Both venues have a completely new series I have named 'The Four Elements'. There are only 40 pieces combining my take on Earth, Wind, Fire and Water, some with delicate gold and silver leaf."

Left, Rythm of Blue gallery, Antigua. Right, La Libelula, Palma. 

Rikki grew up in Antwerp where she ran a successful restoration business, specialising in marble and wood imitation, trompe l'oeil and gold leaf. Every weekend, she would sail in the North Sea until an opportunity arose to go farther afield. An Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean was a baptism of fire into the yachting industry but Rikki caught the bug and spent the next six years on yachts, until she came to settle in the Balearics. 

Two paintings from The Four Elements series, mixed media on canvas. 

Finally, Rikki will be hosting painting workshops from spring this year, "[I would] like to invite painting enthusiast of all abilities to my workshops". These will take place in the stunning setting of her Puigpunyent studio in the Tramuntana hills. Please get in touch with Rikki for more information.  

Email: rikki@arikki.com   

Phone: +34 646 175 014

Left, Wave 80, oil on canvas (70x50)