Cor Schaap, a painter born in Katwijk aan Zee, has a deep connection with the sea and the beach, which is clearly reflected in his oil paintings. Beach scenes 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; Schaap's 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 there.

Around 2019, Schaap decided to make a U-turn. He withdrew somewhat and focused entirely on painting. This choice had not only an artistic but also a therapeutic motivation.

During his artistic development, Cor Schaap received guidance from various artists. An important mentor was Niek van der Plas, who provided valuable advice to Schaap. In 2019, Hans Versfelt shared his technique and knowledge with Schaap en plein air in Kijkduin. Most of the skills and techniques were taught by Joop van Leeuwen, the renowned Hague Impressionist. Schaap and Van Leeuwen still regularly collaborate, and Van Leeuwen's influence is clearly visible in Schaap's paintings. A beautiful hardcover book (90 pages, full color) has been published about the period when Schaap and Van Leeuwen painted together, with the ISBN/EAN number 9789090360959.

From 2024 onwards, Schaap will continue to develop from this foundation, and so will his style. Schaap will continue to create charming, unique, small-format beach scenes, alongside his artistic gallery work, which will shift to larger canvases in a suggestive style with abundant paint and broad brushstrokes/palette knife. Schaap works outdoors or in the studio behind his house. From 2025 onwards, he will also be active at the Gooise Academie in Laren. The sea will hold a special place, as this is the focus of his next exhibition. Schaap's gallery work is available at Galerie Gabriëls at Noordeinde 103 in The Hague, a well-known name in the art trade since 1974. Interested parties can also contact the artist directly.

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• 2012 Presidential Award Hope University

• 2015 Award-Winning Work KUCO Art Calendar

• 2016 Painting AZC nms municipality of 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

• 2024/25 Expo Two Brothers Noordwijk Beach

• 2012 Presidential Award Hope University

• 2015 Award-Winning Work KUCO Art Calendar

• 2016 Painting AZC nms municipality of 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

• 2024/25 Expo Two Brothers Noordwijk Beach