Maurille de Smalen (b. 1970) is a Dutch abstract artist based in the Netherlands.

Her work explores the complexity of being a woman, focusing on the emotional landscapes that define female existence.

Through large-scale abstract paintings, Maurille uses a mix of acrylics, oil-sticks, pastels, pencils and markers to create bold shapes and layered fragile details that reflect the rawness of her subject matter.

Her process is an exploration of balance between raw, bold unexpected colours and shapes and the calm fragile marks all reflect the ongoing search to being wild and free.

Her work is highly intuitive and provides room to find one’s own story.

With each piece she invites the viewer to explore their own inner world, and their experience of being a woman in today’s world.

————————————————

Maurille attended HKU School of the Arts in Utrecht the Netherlands. Here she studied Audiovisual Design, Fashion Design and Art Education. She also holds a Master’s in Fashion & Business, studying both in Winchester, at the Winchester School of the Arts (University of Southampton), UK and in Paris, France at the Institute Français de la Mode.

In Paris she studied under Didier Grunbach, the director of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. After a successful career in fashion, working with and for renowned fashion houses, designing her own collections for her children’s brands, and running a fashion agency, Maurille is now solely focusing on her art, writing, and illustrating. Her work is still heavily influenced by her previous career, particularly in the use of colour and her textile sculptures.

Currently, she lives in the Dutch countryside.

Education & Professional Experience (a selection)

• Ongoing since 1999 Art Educator at University and Art Schools.

• 2019 Stand up comedy, Het Comedy Huis, Utrecht.

• 2018 Lego Serious Play facilitator.

• 2017 TEDX Masterclass. Talk like TED. Amsterdam

• 2015 Kaos Pilot. Creative Leadership course, Aarhus Denmark.

• 2012 Bachelor in Art Education (Fine Art), specialised in Creativity and Resistance. Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Utrecht. (The Netherlands)

• 1999-2013 Owner of private Fashion Label & Fashion Agency, trendwatcher and textile designer for Parisian Haute-Couture and agencies. London (United Kingdom, Paris (France)

• 1999 Master of Arts in Fashion Design, University of Southampton (United Kingdom)& Fashion Business, Institut Français de La Mode (France)

• 1998 Bachelor Fashion Design, specialised in Styling and Fabric design. Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Utrecht

• 1994 Bachelor Audiovisual Art, specialised in Narrative and Image. Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Utrecht (The Netherlands)

Shows, Work & Publications (a selection)

2025 Published “Wild” children’s book, about being yourself in a world that wants you to be the same.

2025 30 day project - wrote a book about resistance

2024 Private show “your eyes only” Utrecht, The Netherlands.

2024 Launched “The Path” online course. Overcome fear to create.

2024 The Escapists - offline experiences for more joy

2022 Creative Mornings - Exercise book for creative rising.

2020 Published “Origin” the essence of ideation.

2018 Host and founder of Tree Days, Creative Event, Utrecht.

2011 Published “Share your creativity” Hand me down book.

2010 Solo Expo. Anatomy of a crash. Haute Couture Dolls.

2010 Retail Fair. Bumble Bean. Patented Children’s Hardware. Koln. Germany

2009 Published “Let’s play” Illustration book

2009 Kleine Fabriek, Amsterdam.Jack Rabbit Spring.

2008 Kleine Fabriek, Amsterdam.Jack Rabbit Spring & Lille Bo

2007 Kleine Fabriek, Amsterdam.Jack Rabbit Spring & Lille Bo

2007 Hypermarket, Japan.Jack Rabbit Spring & Lille Bo

2005 Kleine Fabriek,Amsterdam. Jack Rabbit Spring & Lille Bo

2004 Solo Exhibition, Thread and Sweat. Amerongen. The Netherlands

2000-2003 Trend Union, Textile work, Paris, France

1999 Lidewij Edelkoort, Textile work, Paris, France

1999-2003 Pecler Paris, Textile work, Paris, France

1999-2003 Nelly Rhodi, Textile work. Paris, France

1998 Group Exhibition Purple Intsitute, Paris France

1997 Group Exhibition, Marquis of Bath Estate, Bath. UK