The vibrancy of nature runs through everything I create. It never rushes, yet everything falls into place and that’s what fascinates me. With joy and a bit of boldness, I bring its power and calm to life with my brushes.
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I was born in 1979 in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Before I turned one, I lost my mother, and as a result, I grew up in a rather grey and subdued environment. Luckily, I was surrounded by the love of my grandparents and developed a deep sensitivity to the natural world around me.
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Although creativity sparked early on, I didn’t dare to fully follow that path. Instead, I spent over 15 years working in communication and event management for clients like Shell and the Dutch Central Bank. During my student years, I met the love of my life, Dirk-Jan. From that moment on, life became much more colorful.
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In 2018, I returned to painting and enrolled at the Classical Academy of Fine Arts in Groningen. After completing a four-year program, Dirk-Jan and I moved to a farmhouse in rural West Betuwe. I started teaching workshops again and later launched painting retreats in Spain: a country that continues to inspire me with its warmth, light and vibrant atmosphere!
Curious about my professional background outside of art? Read my CV here.​
BIO - My story
​​"Nature and its rich, colorful vitality lie at the heart of my work. At the moment, I’m deeply inspired by artists like Sorolla, Zorn, Sargent, Monet, Douwe Elias, Lorrain, Koekkoek, and Watteau, as well as the atmospheric photography of Hans Withoos.
I often turn to painters like Sam Drukker, Velazquez, Mancini, Holbein and Cornelis Le Mair for visual inspiration and technical guidance.
Currently, I’m working on a new body of work for a solo exhibition in Spain, a dream that feels both deeply personal and creatively fulfilling."
