SINCE 2023
Starts organizing painting holidays in the beautiful landscapes of Spain: www.schildervakantiespanje.nl​

2022
Graduated Classical Academy of Fine Arts (Groningen) - vocational training

SINCE 2020
Resides and works in Neerijnen. 
Merel starts teaching painting workshops in her studio in Geldermalsen and Asperen: www.schilderen-in-de-betuwe.nl
Foundation www.handgeschilderde-vazen.nl

2018-2022
Classical Academy of Fine Arts (Groningen)
Lectures of Paul Boswijk, Riny Bus, Elvira Dik, Xandra Donders, Sam Drukker, Tom Hageman, Keimpe van der Kooi, Mitzy Renooy, Piet Sebens, Svetlana Tartakovska.​

Starts teaching painting workshops at de Kunststudio (Blaricum) and plein air painting weekends in Drenthe (Frederiksoord). 

2017
Gooise Academy of Fine Arts (Laren)
Lectures of Humphrey Bennett

2013
Gooise Academy of Fine Arts (Laren)
Lectures of Humphrey Bennett

Since 2008
Starts working as an independent event manager www.interim-eventmanager.nl 
Merel organized several business events in recent years including for: Bayer HealthCare, Rijkswaterstaat, De Nederlandsche Bank, Robeco, Rabobank NL, GlobalCollect /Ingenico ePayments, Reader's Digest, DLL Group, KNZB, Shell, TAQA, Smit Boskalis, Fagerhult, Friesland Campina, Hilverzorg, AFM, BN International, Essent/RWE, Pokon, Kruidvat NL (Reckitt Benckiser), Jaarbeurs, The Wall Utrecht, Koninklijke Horeca Nederland, European Laracon Conference and Domain-Driven Design Europe.  

2006
Gooise Academy of Fine Arts (Laren)
Lectures of Humphrey Bennett

2003-2008
Various marketing & communication jobs

1997-2001
Bedrijfsinformatietechnologie - University of Twente (Enschede)
Toegepaste Communicatie Wetenschap - University of Twente (Enschede)
No degree obtained

2001-2003
Webmaster @ TriMM Interactieve Media www.trimm.nl

1991-1997           
Gemeentelijk Gymnasium (Hilversum)
Graduated in 1997

​