Curriculum Vitae
During my training at Croydon College of Art (BA) in London, England, I discovered the painters who continue to inspire me. Like the Italian Renaissancists, many of the 19th century Russian realists, the Pre-Raphaelites and some of the Impressionists. I still experience a lot of excitement when I look at the works of J.W.Waterhouse, Laurens Alma-Tadema, Joaquin Sorolla, Anders Zorn, John Singer Sargent, Andrew Wyeth and Pino Daeni. But I also love Frank Frazetta! There are, of course, also living artists that I admire, like Robert Bateman, Richard Schmid and the Dutch painter Nico Vrielink.
What they have in common are well considered compositions, excellent technical skills and an exquisite use of colour. They all are excellent draughtsmen and, what's more, they paint with their hearts!! Good drawing is the basis of all visual arts.
I study their works regularly and I never grow tired of them. I do not only admire them, but their paintings are giving me hope and they are teaching me to enjoy the beauty that surrounds me. They sharpen my eyes in such a way that I gain a beter understanding of how things look like, which will improve my drawing skills. And the excitement that I experience when I look at "master" paintings is giving me a sense of direction in the way I want to grow as a painter. One never ceases to learn. But I discovered that I am more of an intuitive rather than an intellectual painter.
My painting subjects I find in the here and now, in the city. Murals ( Street Art) and fashion styles, like Punk and Grunge I still find fascinating. The women and girls I paint radiate a sense of non-conformism and rebellion, a sense of power and femininity.
It is difficult to analyse and understand our purpose in society as artists. But I have come to believe that our responsibility is to attempt to bring hope and joy through beauty to a despondent humanity. I believe people want to be uplifted. Creating beauty, in one way or another, can do just that. I feel our call is to inspire others with what inspires us as individual artists. That is why I also love teaching art. Art is a living language and to help someone to speak and use the language properly and creatively and to see them grow in the things learned, is a rewarding business.
"Urban Artists" received 5th price in the "American Art Award 2016" (category 15: Fashion)
See:
http://www.americanartawards.com/2016-winning-art/
Exhibitions
2022 Ars Aemula Naturae together with Nicoline Heemskerk
2019 Gallery "Art Expo", Voorschoten
2017 Ars Aemula Naturae (3 X) - Leiden
2016 Art & Jazz Art Fairs - Den Haag 2015 Galerie De Rode Cirkel - Leiden
2014 Kunstmarkt Voorschoten 2013 Art Fair Oegstgeest
2011 Art Fair Laren
2007 ZusEnzo - Amsterdam
2007 Kunst Outlet - Warmond
2006 Rembrandtfestival - Leiden
2004 Stoutenbeek - Den Haag
2003 "Serge" - Leiden
2003 Art Gallery Caro - Leiden
2003 SFB Groep - Amsterdam
2003 Hooglandse Kerk - Leiden
2002 ABC Treehouse Gallery - Amsterdam
2000 Galerie Bau Bau - Amsterdam
1999 Leiden Art Fair - Leiden
1999 Kunst Manifestatie - Leiden (organised by The Kiwani's, Lions Club and Rotary Club)
1998 Ten Caetermere - Beringen - België
1998 "Serge" - Leiden
1998 Galerie Joconde's Kabinet - Den Haag
1997 The Golden Touch - Den Haag
1997 Gooi Art Fair - Baarn
1996 Galerie Anton Gidding - Den Haag
1996 Holland Art Fair - Den Haag
1996 Galerie Bizarre - Den Haag
1995 't Spant - Bussum
1994 Pulchri Studio - Den Haag
1993 Art Expo - Jaarbeurs Utrecht
1991 RAI - Amsterdam
1988 Galerie Podium - Den Haag
1985 De Waag - Leiden
1984 De Waag - Leiden
2008 till now -
Teaching drawingtechniques, painting, portrait- and lifedrawing at several art centers in Leiden.
1991-2008
Teaching free-lance at the "Junior, Academy for Art Direction" in Amsterdam. Subjects: composition,
perspective, understanding colour, drawing techniques, illustration, portrait- and life drawing and visualizing.
1990 – 1991
Teaching fashion students at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam
1988-1990
Teaching “Drawing for advertising” at the “Holtlant College” in Leiderdorp.
1987
Teaching illustration techniques at the Dream Factory in Leiden.
