I’m an artist from the Netherlands (1987), creating mostly drawings, prints and books, designing as a freelance illustrator, and teaching drawing and printmaking classes.
I studied Illustration and Fine Art at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam (NL). I live and work in The Hague with my daughters Juniper and Elin and my crazy dog Wicc ♥
My biggest source of inspiration comes from a deeply rooted interest in the history of folklore and the belief in magic.
Specifically the stories of Witches and their knowledge of nature, their strength and their openly exposed femininity. These strenghts, that become the reasons they were hunted, have always fascinated me in life and in my creative work.
The social-economical conditions for witch craze to occur and witchcraft being prosecuted as a ‘gendered crime’ still connects sorcery to several aspects of contemporary feminism. Many of my projects are somehow related to these themes.
Luckily, making art is also the most constructive way to tame my everlasting pondering mind ♥.
Drawing, painting, bookbinding and several traditional printmaking methods are the techniques I ♥ working with. On the other hand my Imac with Photoshop, InDesign, and my Wacom Intuos drawing tablet are also an important part of my trusty toolkit.
Everything starts on paper though…
(Interview 2021)
In June 2021 I was asked to talk about my art and creativity in general in Podium NOORD‘s Power Stage. A talk with Djadi Loose (writer), Narelle Thomas (dancer), Hildegard Mandos (musician) and myself about creativity, inspiration, and sharing our passion for art ♥.
…and life (was) so full that hope was not necessary
and therefore forgotten.
There is something pagan in me
that I cannot shake off.
In short, I deny nothing,
but doubt everything.
The first man who, having fenced in a piece of land, said “This is mine,” and found people naive enough to believe him, that man was the true founder of civil society.
From how many crimes, wars, and murders, from how many horrors and misfortunes might not any one have saved mankind, by pulling up the stakes, or filling up the ditch, and crying to his fellows:
“Beware of listening to this impostor; you are undone if you once forget that the fruits of the earth belong to us all, and the earth itself to nobody.”
