Responsibly Messy
Art by Valérie van Kraaij
Hi, I’m Valérie van KraaijDutch artist, now living in the heart of the Dordogne, France. Here I also run my little vacation hideaway in Sarlat – a peaceful spot where the wild, untamed nature of the region inspires me every single day.
Welcome to Responsibly Messy Art.Why “Responsibly Messy”?Because my work celebrates the beautiful chaos of life and nature –
My paintings are bold, expressive and deliberately “messy” – full of energetic brushstrokes, unexpected colour combinations and whimsical details. Yet everything is done responsibly: every piece is original, thoughtfully composed, and created with love and control. No random chaos, but a mindful embrace of imperfection. That’s why I call it Responsibly Messy Art – honouring nature’s messy beauty without ever losing soul or quality.All works are handmade in the Dordogne (acrylic on canvas, mixed media, charcoal…) and ready to bring joy, colour and a little dreaminess into your home or collection.
Scroll down, fall in love, and take a piece home.
The Collectors list:
Early access to new pieces. No spam.
Original Paintings
The Jester
A fragile, ticking moment captured forever in The Jester.A mysterious white rabbit in an ornate harlequin costume and dramatic ruffled collar stares out with deep red eyes, a tiny red bob dangling from its paw. Painted with expressive depth on a 77 × 57 cm canvas in the heart of the Dordogne. This original acrylic work sings with poetry and quiet power — the pinnacle of Responsibly Messy storytelling. At 1000 €, it is a haunting, narrative masterpiece for discerning collectors across the globe who cherish art that stays with you long after you look away.An original acrylic painting on canvas
77 x 57cm
1000 euro, free shipping in Europe
Too Glam To Fatch
Meet the ultimate tennis diva: Too Glam To Fetch – The Pink Poodle Tennis Club.
This glamorous pink poodle, visor tilted just so, grips a tennis ball while lounging amid scattered lemon slices in a sun-drenched court. Painted with rich texture and playful confidence on a 30 × 40 cm canvas in the Dordogne, France. Pure Responsibly Messy energy — bold, glamorous and irresistibly fun. 500 € with free shipping in Europe. A show-stopping, smile-inducing addition to any international collection.Original acrylic painting on canvas
30 × 40 cm
500 euro, free shipping in Europe
Where is the banana?
A witty pop-surrealist smile for your wall: Where is the banana?An abstract crumpled napkin figure, stylish black glasses perched on its face, balances a bright yellow banana against a sizzling hot-pink background. Painted in bold acrylic on thick paper in the Dordogne, this original work blends humour, crisp lines and vibrant chaos with thoughtful precision — pure Responsibly Messy Art. A conversation-starting, joy-giving piece that modern collectors worldwide will love to own and show off.An original acrylic painting on thick paper
A4
250 euro, free shipping in Europe
Portrait Drawings or Paintings from Your Photo
I create custom A4 portrait drawings based on your favourite photo. This can be a portrait of yourself, your child, partner, family member, or even a beloved pet.Each drawing is made by hand using professional Faber-Castell pencils on high-quality paper, in black and white only.You can choose between two styles:
• A softer, more artistic portrait with slightly looser details
• A highly detailed, realistic portraitPrices start at €125 for a simple portrait and from €200 for a more detailed, hyperrealistic drawing.Would you prefer a portrait painting instead? That is also possible.Portrait paintings on flat canvas, size 30 x 40 cm, start at €400. If you would like a different size, please feel free to email me for a custom quote.Please allow approximately 2–4 weeks for completion, depending on the level of detail and my current waiting list.If you would like to commission a portrait, feel free to send me an email with your photo and ideas.
Contact