Vanessa Paulina was born and raised in the Caribbean, on the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao — places close to her heart. Her African and Indian heritage is strongly reflected in her work. She later moved to the Netherlands to study Fashion Design and Illustration. Seeing the world as her playground, Vanessa embarked on a journey of discovery, collecting life experiences that continue to shape her art.
As a painter, she is widely recognized for her Childhood Series and Schizophrenia Series. In the Childhood Series, Vanessa revisits personal memories, capturing fleeting moments in time. This series remains ongoing, as she cherishes the presence of her inner child. The Schizophrenia Series explores deeper layers of vulnerability, healing and acceptance, expressed through nostalgic and emotional imagery. Most recently, she began her Goddesses Series, inspired by the resurgence of feminine energy on our planet.
Her work has been exhibited worldwide and always carries traces of the diaspora she descends from. In addition to painting, Vanessa is an accomplished muralist and has taught international workshops in Drawing, Painting, Fashion, and what she calls Soul Art.
She signs all her works with her initials “WIP.” The “W” represents two V’s joined together, as well as “West Indies Productions” — a symbol of enlightenment and positivity. WIP is also the label she uses in her fashion designs, uniting her artistic vision across different forms of expression.
“I send the highest love, light and happiness to all the children of the universe, and to all living beings.” – Vanessa Paulina
“I fell in love with Vanessa Paulina’s work after reading an article about her. When we met, my feelings were confirmed. Both painter and paintings are head turners: beautiful, lively and strong. On opening night at the SinFa expo I rushed to claim “Mucha Santo”. Being able to look at that child every day makes me very happy.”
“GHILDHOOD – Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.”
Alex da Silva, Artist“Vanessa Paulina, whose orange/brown hued painting of a crouching child, was requested by many. It was sold on opening night. As one visitor explained Paulina’s painting: It’s so beautiful, you’d expect the child to get up any moment and walk towards you”.
On the painting “Mucha Santo”, Sinfa Aruba expo 2002
“Those little girls and boys have been swimming in my small brain since I have seen them. The conciousness, it makes me realize about beauty in my heritage and the beauty in little women, kids, what love can actually create, and equally how fragile life’ s happiness is. Those kids show the great strenght in the black Diaspora and how we all share the common bond of our heritage, our cultures, regardless of how different our cultures are. The similarity is absolutely visual… and mostly how throughout time, history, space…we have remained the same…. Black & Beautiful.
Karl Welch, Organisator of Soulbeach, Aruba/USA“I just can’t stop staring at them: there is something about the moment captured in that painting that just draws me into it.”
On the painting “Past & Present” in the clubhouse art exhibit
“She’s every Aruban /Antillean woman. A new voice of Dutch Caribbean womanist art, demure and vibrant. Her work is a true reflection of a beautiful life, a quieter time. Yet it speaks to the trappings and shortcomings of that life, as a woman. Within the same frame you also see the aspirations and desires of a woman. I know her work, she is my grand-mother, aunt, sister, cousin. She is my friend.”
“The painting which really attracted my attention, and which is my favorite is “Mucha Santo” by artist Vanessa Paulina. It was the most remarked on, and was sold on opening night!”
On painting “Mucha Santo” (Sand- or holy-child) SinfA expo 2002
” Dear beloved Iyawata Vanessa Paulina!
Well what should I say … your works made me wordless!
WOW … IHI`m overwhelmed! Your works a very great … more than enuff raspect for that! Keep up doing JAH works … for redemption is near, no fear. It would be great, if we could hold contact in the future … for in the time we are living in JAH children have to Inity, seen?”
