I have rewritten my artist statement many times and I was thinking about the difficulty of putting into words the “what” and “why” I do what I do. But! I think I might have an answer to that. Because I follow my feelings which are triggered though chemicals in my mammalian brain when I shoot. This ancient part of the brain doesn’t speak any language, it just reacts with chemicals that evoke emotions and a reaction in me, no text. That is why it is so hard for me to write down and box in my art. So what moves me, well it is energy in motion which is e-motion.

Hello I am Jan van Schooten I am a professional photographer. I was born in a photo ancestry, thus I have been in the photography business all my life. With Peinture de Lumière I am looking for an abstractification of reality. I am inspired by the human form in its urban environment.  I want to see lines, brush strokes, contrast and color. I want a painterly quality in my images. That is why I call it “peinture de Lumière” playing with photography my style. 

This is done through the capture and digital development of the image, no elaborate photoshop or use of AI. No trickery, just the image. I play with my craft while exploring my emotions through images that my ancient brain understands. The photos are real, genuine and made for decoration.

That is why we love art so much, it speaks to our ancient brain that understands imagery which evoke emotions that connects us on a human level.