About Me
HI! I’M MONIQUE
LEAVING THE PLANET A BIT MORE BEAUTIFUL
THAN WHEN I FOUND IT,
IS MY GENERAL LIFE MISSION
So Much to Think About. So Little Time. That’s Where I come In.
While studying fine arts in my native country, Holland, I was offered an Erasmus Grand to go and study abroad at an University of Fine Arts within Europe.
I elected the University of Valencia and there I soon found out I had more in common with the philosophy of life and preferences of the Spanish people and art-students then with my colleagues back home.
The change of geographic place of living and working is clearly visible in my artwork, especially the Mediterranean light has made a great change on my color-palette.
I graduated in the Fine Arts in 1999 but around the year 2005-2006 my need for color an direct expression became more and more urgent.
That is when the shift was made from creating ceramic sculptures (that was my mayor at the “Hogeschool voor de kunst en design ’s-Hertogenbosch”) and chinese ink drawings on paper to painting on canvas.
During my first period of living in Barcelona (I had previously lived in Valencia and in Ibiza), I got deeply fascinated into the works of the inner human.
I am attracted to the complex subtleties of sensations and emotions.
This comes back in my paintings.
From 2019 to 2024 I have lived in an intentional community, setting up an alternative to the regular way of how society is organized.
CONNECTION WITH THE PEOPLE WHO FEEL MY VIBE IS WHAT DRIVES ME.
Art making is a very recluded job, yet the art-sharing is the most beautiful moment!
Where does my inspiration come from?
Inspiration comes on a lot of levels:
- Visual inspiration: color choice composition choice, model choice.
- Inner inspiration: what do I want to express.
All of this above push to be “the one” for the next painting, I try to combine all of these. The desires that couldn’t fit the current artwork, will move on to the next. (Or the painting after that!).
Do I also make commissioned art?
Yes, I do!
Do you or a loved one have a muse that you would like me to paint for you? I am open for commissioned portrait options.
Check out my FAQ on how this works.
i also create murals!
Let’s change that vibe
I JUST LOVE TO SPEND HOURS AND HOURS IN MY STUDIO, GETTING LOST IN THIS VISUAL DIALOGUE WITH MY CREATIONS, ALWAYS FINDING NEW INSPIRATIONS IN RESOLUTIONS THAT I WASN’T ABLE TO USE IN PREVIOUS PAINTINGS.