On this page, I share a curated selection of blog articles that are internationally relevant and connected to my work as a portrait artist. These stories reflect encounters, collaborations and moments where art, music and personal history come together.
In addition, I occasionally share video fragments and vlogs that offer a closer look into my working process.
Before setting off with my friends Joop Koning and Hélène IJspelder to Château d’Hérouville, just north of Paris, I had my doubts. As someone who doesn’t drive, I was not exactly looking forward to the long journey, arriving at a nearby Ibis Budget Hotel in the middle of the night, only to get a few hours of sleep before heading straight to the famous château the following morning.
The first time I ever picked up a brush to paint a portrait in oil must have been around the age of twelve. I painted my very first musical hero: Sting. At the time, I was completely immersed in the music of The Police. My brother Marijn and I would play their cassette tapes over and over again. So Lonely was my favourite track, and I insisted on performing it at school parties - which I did.
