From the moment I was born (1993) in Heerlen, Limburg, being creative slowly has been passed on to me by my grandfather and mother. Ever since I was a child, I have loved everything that involves drawing and painting. As a young girl, 5 years old, I already registered for my first painting class. From that moment on, painting ran like a thread through my life: art subjects in high school, my university study Art Therapy, painting lessons in realism and my work as an art therapist in psychiatry.
“My dream has come true!”
A few years ago, when I was confronted with the autoimmune disease Alopecia and an intensive disease process followed, I decided to change course and quit my uncertain job as an art therapist. I wanted to follow my heart and make a job out of painting. And here we are: my dream has come true!
Painting has always been a way for me to relax, let go, recharge and process. In my paintings I always see a part of myself: the patience of a saint, the passion, the sensitivity, the emotional depth, the passion and the perfectionism. My painting style can be recognized by the layering, the clear and harmonic colors, the wide color palette, the eye for detail and the realism in combination with abstract elements.
Did you know...
- …my birthday is on Valentine's Day?
- …I am both left and right handed when painting?
- …I mainly work with the primary colors of acrylic paint and therefore mix all colors myself?
- …I live together with my dear partner in beautiful Heerlen?
- …I have my studio at home?
Paintings with a story
The concept of “paintings with a story” started with myself. My disease process has inspired me to work on a series of paintings about my experience with hair loss. In this way I have portrayed the difficult part of this process, but also the beautiful parts, such as the love for my partner and the acceptance of my body. These stories give depth to the paintings and that is what makes it so special for me.
Also from my background as an art therapist I am always interested in the story behind people. Nothing more beautiful than to put a (personal) piece of story in a painting in some way. I love it when you look at a painting and it touches you, because you somehow see something from yourself. That the painting gives you a nice feeling or a sense of peace. Or maybe comfort. Or that a painting brings you back to a beautiful memory. I think that symbolism makes a painting lively, but also personal.
In case you are interested in my work, please feel free to contact me.