When most people hear the name Jan Schiltmeijer, they think of one thing: Amber Ruffin’s ex-husband. But that’s selling his story short. The Dutch painter built a 20-year career on his own merits, creating vibrant acrylic portraits that have earned him recognition far beyond celebrity gossip columns. It’s time to look at the actual artist behind the canvas.
Who Is Jan Schiltmeijer?
Jan Schiltmeijer is a Dutch-born painter popularly known for his work as a full-time artist since 2004. Born in Haarlem, Netherlands, he’s created a niche in contemporary pop art that stands on its own. While his 13-year marriage to late-night comedy host Amber Ruffin (which ended in December 2023) brought him public attention, his actual work and the paintings speaks louder than tabloid headlines.
Schiltmeijer didn’t jump straight into full-time painting. He attended a specialized three-year art direction course in Amsterdam and worked in the field for two years before deciding to pursue painting full-time. That shift in 2004 marked the real beginning of his artistic career. He was deliberate, trained, and committed before he ever made it his life’s work.
The Layer-Over-Layer Technique That Defines His Work
What makes Jan Schiltmeijer’s paintings instantly recognizable isn’t his celebrity subjects—it’s how he builds them. His signature technique involves working almost exclusively with acrylic paint, developing depth and texture through careful layering, resulting in rich, multidimensional works of art.
This isn’t an accident or impulsiveness. He uses high-quality acrylic paints and canvases, applying multiple layers of colour both transparent and opaque to create depth, dimension, and striking vibrancy. Each painting is built methodically, layer by layer, until the final image emerges with texture and emotional intensity.
The technical result is visually arresting. His portraits capture more than likeness—they convey mood, energy, and presence. Whether he’s painting Marilyn Monroe, Nina Simone, or Muhammad Ali, the subject’s personality seems to shine through the layered paint itself. It’s why collectors gravitate toward his work. It’s not just a picture; it’s a craft.
From Amsterdam to New York: The Personal Journey
Amber Ruffin and Jan met in New York while they were both living in Amsterdam, and they tied the knot in 2010. Ruffin was performing with Boom Chicago, an improv comedy group, when Jan was visiting on vacation. Ruffin humorously recalled their first meeting, noting that she was smoking outside a bar when Jan walked past.
The pair clicked immediately. Jan left everything behind and followed his wife as she pursued her dream of becoming a comedienne. When Ruffin’s career took off especially after becoming the first Black woman to write for a late-night show in 2014 Jan made the geographic leap from Amsterdam to New York.
By all accounts, their relationship was playful and low-key. Ruffin revealed that she and her husband didn’t celebrate their wedding anniversary and frequently forgot it. She recalled how they forgot their anniversary in their third year and remembered three days later, and since then, they’ve kept missing it, saying “every year since, we keep missing it. It’s truly like two 14-year-old boys found each other”.
No kids, no drama in the public eye. Just two creative people living a quiet life in New York.
The Art World Took Notice, Quietly
While Amber Ruffin’s career skyrocketed launching “The Amber Ruffin Show,” writing bestselling books, becoming a household name Jan kept painting. One of the most interesting aspects of Jan Schiltmeijer’s career is how he built a successful painting business without relying heavily on online promotion in the early years. Much of his work spread through word-of-mouth recommendations, and he’s been described as someone who prioritizes customer satisfaction and long-term relationships over quick exposure.
This approach paid off. His portfolio includes portraits of celebrities and pop culture icons such as Samuel L. Jackson, and his work has been featured in private galleries and art shows across the United States and Europe. He’s painted everything from classic Hollywood legends to fictional characters like C-3PO from Star Wars and Walter White from Breaking Bad subjects that appeal directly to pop culture fans while maintaining artistic credibility.
Whether it’s a legendary movie actor or a close-up of a jellybean, Jan’s compositions command attention, and he doesn’t shy away from experimenting with themes, ranging from celebrity culture to still-life subjects, such as candy, household items, or even mundane tools, thereby elevating the ordinary into the extraordinary.
The Divorce and What Comes Next
The union between Amber Ruffin and Jan Schiltmeijer was officially finalized on December 5, 2023, in the Rockland County Supreme Court in New York. Ruffin announced it casually in a January 2024 Instagram post, listing the divorce as the sixth piece of news in a longer update. It was a blip in pop culture conversation—more notable for its nonchalance than the split itself.
Since the divorce, Schiltmeijer has stayed largely out of the spotlight. He continues his painting career, updating his website with new works. His Instagram presence remains relatively minimal selective about what he shares, focused on the work rather than personal updates.
This is fitting for someone who’s always preferred to let his paintings do the talking.
What Sets Him Apart in the Contemporary Art World
Schiltmeijer’s work sits at an interesting intersection. His work differs from traditional Dutch painting in that while old masters used oil paints and glazing, Schiltmeijer builds his images with modern acrylics, and while traditional Dutch painting emphasized landscapes, still lifes, and domestic scenes, Schiltmeijer brings contemporary pop culture icons into the Dutch artistic lineage.
He’s carrying forward the Dutch tradition of portraiture while making it visually contemporary. His subjects are celebrities, not aristocrats; pop culture icons, not historical figures. The medium is modern acrylic, not classical oil. Yet the discipline, the craftsmanship, the commitment to layering and depth are unmistakably rooted in European art tradition.
Collectors who understand contemporary pop art recognize this. They’re not buying his work because he was married to a comedian. They’re buying it because the paintings are genuinely good.
The Quiet Success
Jan Schiltmeijer’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1 million, accumulated through his painting career over two decades. That’s not a coincidence. It’s the result of two decades of consistent work, quality output, and a business model based on reputation rather than hype.
He never became a household name. You won’t see him on talk shows or at art openings trying to be seen. But in the world of acrylic portraiture, among collectors who know their medium and appreciate technical skill, Jan Schiltmeijer is exactly who you want in your collection.
FAQ
What is Jan Schiltmeijer’s main artistic technique?
Jan uses a “layer-over-layer” acrylic technique, applying multiple layers of transparent and opaque paint to create depth, dimension, and striking color. This method gives his portraits texture and emotional intensity.
Who are some of the celebrities Jan Schiltmeijer has painted?
His portfolio includes portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Nina Simone, Muhammad Ali, Samuel L. Jackson, and fictional characters like Walter White and C-3PO from Star Wars.
How did Jan Schiltmeijer meet Amber Ruffin?
They met in New York in 2008 while both living in Amsterdam. Amber was performing with Boom Chicago when Jan was on vacation. They dated for two years before marrying in 2010 and divorced in December 2023.
Is Jan Schiltmeijer still painting?
Yes. Since his divorce, he’s continued his painting career and regularly updates his website with new works. He maintains a low public profile but remains active in the art world.
What makes Jan Schiltmeijer’s work different from other portrait painters?
His signature “layer-over-layer” technique creates rich texture and depth that sets his work apart. He blends contemporary pop culture subjects with the technical discipline of classical portraiture, creating pieces that appeal to both art collectors and pop culture fans.
Read More About: James Westley Welch
