Background & inspiration
After years of working as a documentary photographer I wanted to go beyond the boundaries of reality. There is so much emotion and direction you can add to a drawn image that will exceed the possibilities of a lens. I like adding a surreal twist to things that I see in real life. Lakes become pink, bodies bend in unnatural ways and gravity is defied. Looking at the world around me I’m inspired by people with faces and bodies that tell a unique tale, especially when they may not fit the standard of beauty. I find the relationship between humans and animals endlessly fascinating. And let’s not forget about the ocean, with her mind boggling creatures and her amazing ability to be both calming and absolutely vigorous.
What I love about illustrating
I thrive on translating complex stories into images. It’s like a puzzle that needs to be solved. I start by sketching out different ideas and writing down words that are important. I use symbolism, color and body language to make an impact. I love the creative process of finding a way to capture a feeling and adding something extra that will make you laugh or astonish you. Some examples are this editorial work where I can use wit and imagination to capture the text, but I also enjoy assignments that are still open-ended and don’t have a direction yet: for example this request to capture a song. This illustration was sold as a poster, showcased in music venue Ekko and became a fan favourite. I love when different creative elements merge into one experience. I could not be happier.
Future collaborations
New dream clients that I would love to collaborate with are marine organisations, the (board) game industry and consumer goods. I imagine nautical illustrations on t-shirts of ocean lovers, original designs for a new edition of the game Dixit and stimulating artworks on chocolate wrappers and rum bottles. Are you my next dream client? I am available for creative illustration projects of every kind. Get in touch to start the conversation. I would love to speak to you.