How did you start illustrating?

"After studying Fashion & Textile at the Royal Academy in The Hague, illustrating actually came very naturally. I could express myself better in the 2D world than as a fashion designer, translating ideas on paper gave me endless inspiration. I started making free work and illustrating for fashion designers. When I was booked as a live illustrator for the Bijenkorf, Chopard and Montblanc, the ball started rolling. Currently I work as a visual artist and illustrator on commission."

"There is always something that stands out - an exciting glance, a special nose, an elegant clothing detail - for me it is about emphasizing unique beauty."

How would you describe your style?

"I would describe my style as romantic expressionism. The work is characterized by picturesque textures and fast brush strokes in watercolor and ink. On the other hand, there are strong color contrasts and fine details. When painting live during events, I look at the appearance of the person and how someone moves. Something always stands out - an exciting glance, a special nose, an elegant clothing detail - for me it is about emphasizing unique beauty."

What is your biggest source of inspiration?

"Everything! For example modern dance, installation art by Olafur Eliasson and painting from the 20th century. Favorites are Kees van Dongen, Ilya Mashkov, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec's sketches in the brothels of Paris in the late 19th century."

What plans do you have for the future?

"I study Set Design at the academy of Antwerp, it seems fantastic to me to be able to do scenography for dance performances. My colors and surfaces do not always remain on the flat surface, but they come to life in a space. The aspect of the I find human interaction with the work extremely fascinating. I am also working on the combination of illustration and interior. I am working on a tableware line, and I also think it would be great to make large murals for restaurants, homes and hotels."

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