In past times, art was solely in service of spirit - the unseen realms and tapestry of energies that permeate and connect all. Ceremonial and transcendental. The very first works of art were depictions of animals, spirits, sacred geometric shapes - later gods & goddesses and humans entered the field. We were in close connection to Nature, the hidden worlds, the elements and what we may call the subconscious. Expressing our harmony with the natural world and the powers of Nature through motion, sound, drawing and other forms of creating. But times changed on Earth and we moved from firmly rooted, soul-based co-living with our environment to a more individualised, separated state of being. From right-brain brotherhood to left-brain lore. Many forms of artistic expression became tools for restoring the lost harmony, to remember our origin. Utilising its resonant functional aspect to communicate with and to re-establish natural kinship.

This is where I land with my work, what I wish to reawaken. As Mondrian beautifully stated an age ago: ‘through our intuition, the universal in us can become so active.. that..it pushes aside our individuality. Then art can reveal itself. Art advances where religion once led - its task is pure expression of that incomprehensible force that is universally active.’ Art is a picture of the spirit, embodied in many forms, articulating what it means to be human, naturally - also beyond the physical. Providing a way or even tool to commune with the subtle dimensions of living that go beyond the mind, beyond reasoning and the intellect. Unveiling nature's mysteries.

When possible I make my paints from scratch, using natural materials, ancient methods & recipes and my very own hands. Working with primary earth materials reveals its mysterious relationship with our own natures. I get to know matter when I make paint; it is deeply satisfying to feel their textures and qualities, their energy and how they collaborate. I do use synthetic, modern pigments in case the ancient ones involve animal harm, like sepia or carmine.

De Kat in Zaandam is my favourite place to gather pigments - it is the last traditional pigment mill left on Earth, and the place where painters of the old days, like Rembrandt, used to find their materials. It’s a library of great ocres from Europe, more exotic semi-precious stone pigments like malachite - favourite of the Egyptians -  and lapis lazuli - back in the days more precious than gold and used for saint’s robes & heavenly skies in religious paintings - and sacred resins like copal, elemi and myrrh. 

I nourish a growing desire to contribute to a more sustainable, circular and responsible approach to art practice - and try to use recycled, natural materials where ever I can. I find precious pieces on the streets of Amsterdam, wood panels in the basement of the old midwife school I live and work in. I receive old Kimono wrappings from my friend Marco who owns a Japanese antique store on Prinsengracht. I find recycled Khadi cotton paper and European hemp sheets at De Vlieger on the Amstel river, who also provide me of fine, handmade Moriki paper and mulberry bark.

The proces of gathering and making materials is as much part of the artwork as the end result itself, an alchemy of energies and intentions of all who are involved - the plants and trees who give their matter, the moods of people handling them and thoughts of they who transport. The attention, care and love I transmit. The vibrations of the sacred oils mixed into the paints, the frequencies of gold and the space where the work is created. The alchemy of the elements and ingredients. My intuition and guidance from the subtle realms and dreamtime. The symbols, hidden codes and shapes weaved into an image. They all merge into a piece of art. And they all merge with your field, feelings and subconscious, touching your soul and moving the spirit. 

More questions answered

Do you offer commissions?

I can offer commissions if you are looking for something in the styles I create. I don't offer commissions in other styles or copying other artists.

If you are interested in a bespoke piece for your space, please contact me using my contact form for a no obligation chat. If I think I can do it justice then I'll provide a quote, if not I will always be honest and say so. If that's the case I have access to a wide network of artists and would be happy to suggest one to you.