about the artist
I was born in Rotterdam, Holland and immigrated to Ontario, Canada at a young age.
I have always loved to draw and one of my favourite memories is drawing on the backs of unused church bulletins on Sundays at the kitchen table. My father was the designated church bulletin printer and there were always more sheets then there were congregation members. My first experience with paint – was when I was 10 years old, and my grandmother brought me paints from Holland on her first visit to Canada. The smell of those paints and the colours are indelibly imprinted on my memory.
At 20 I drove to BC, following the trans Canada highway to its beginning, as if it was the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Once in Victoria I launched my career as an interior designer. I founded my own company Western Interior Design Group Ltd. in 1991 and passed it over 30 years later after over 2000 commercial projects were completed.
Though I love my profession, my first love has always been painting. I am inspired by nature and love to try and capture light and reflection.
Because of using water colours for renderings in my profession my first works are in that medium. Although I still love them, particularly when travelling, I now use acrylics more often because I prefer the stronger values they offer.
I like the buttery softness and richness of oils and will work with these in my studio. Some oils have taken me up to a year to complete.
Painting as a profession is a new adventure for me. I treasure every work and always feel a little sad when parting with each one. However, when I sell a painting, it gives me joy to know that someone else is appreciating my work.
You can find me in my studio on most days - or out in the Victoria area plein air painting.