Cor Schaap, a painter born in Katwijk aan Zee, has a deep bond with the sea and the beach, which is clearly reflected in his oil paintings. Beach views are a recurring theme in his work, which he executes in an impressionistic style. This connection with the sea is rooted in his family history; his father was a fisherman and his grandfather a shell fisherman. Despite this background, Schaap opted for a creative career and although he initially wanted to study at the art academy in The Hague, he shifted his focus to the design and media sector.

Around 2019, Schaap decided to make a change. He withdrew somewhat and focused entirely on painting. This choice had not only an artistic but also a therapeutic motivation, as experience showed that painting had a relaxing and beneficial effect on his health.

During his artistic development, Cor Schaap received guidance from various artists. An important mentor was Niek van der Plas, who gave Schaap valuable advice. In 2019, Hans Versfelt advised him to paint 'en plein air' in Kijkduin. However, most of the skills and techniques were taught by Joop van Leeuwen, the famous impressionist from The Hague. Van Leeuwen's influences are clearly recognizable in Schaap's work. A beautiful hardcover book (90 pages f/c) has been published about the period when Schaap and Van Leeuwen painted together under ISBN/EAN number 9789090360959.

Schaap works outside or in the small studio behind his house. Here, in addition to sunny impressionistic beach scenes, he also creates new, artistic works in a suggestive style with palette knife and brush. In these new works the artist experiments with colors and a looser touch. They also have a spiritual meaning. These oil paintings are sold exclusively from his studio and through Galerie Gabriëls at Noordeinde in The Hague, a well-known art dealer that has been active since 1974.

• 2012 Presidential Award Hope University

• 2015 Award-winning work KUCO Art Calendar

• 2016 Painting AZC nms gem. Katwijk

• 2017 Expo Palace Hotel Noordwijk

• 2019 Expo Katwijk town hall

• 2021 Expo center Katwijk aan Zee

• 2022 Expo Galerie Gabriëls The Hague

• 2023 Expo PKN Wassenaar