Bio
I was born in Leeuwarden (1967), but I never truly developed Frisian roots. My parents were devoted to Amsterdam and North Holland, and they passed that love on to me. From my father Ad, a sailor and painter, I inherited a passion for the arts, and from my mother Olga, a nurse, my social commitment. Both influences are palpable in my work and life.
At the age of 17, I was accepted into art school, first in Groningen and later in Amsterdam, where I graduated at 22. Since then, my work has expanded beyond painting and drawing; I also actively contribute to the art world. I have assisted provinces in developing art policies and founded the ArtWorlds foundation, through which I organized the biennial Summer Expo and later the Climate Expo. With these initiatives, I aim to democratize the art world.
My oil paintings are classical in nature, with romantic and impressionistic influences and a keen eye for reality. Landscapes, cities, and everyday scenes are central, where buildings, water, trees, and people hold equal importance. My work is an ode to life, to the beauty of the ordinary, and to moments that often go unnoticed. I work in various locations, including my studio at the NDSM site in Amsterdam, in Brussels, and in Umbria. Would you like to view my work? Feel free to make an appointment (see ‘contact’ below).