Zeeuws

Zeeuws

The word “Zeeuws” in Dutch means from Zeeland, a Province in the southwest part of the Netherlands.
The pieces in this portfolio are inspired by the various traditional costumes of Zeeland. The diversity of costumes was so big because a few generations ago Zeeland consisted of several islands and each island developed its own styles.
My grandmother belonged to one of the last generations of women, dressed in a traditional costume.
The Harbor in Breskens

The Harbor in Breskens

The quay in my hometown Breskens is one of my favorite places with many good childhood memories.
Once, the harbor was a vibrant fishing and trading port, with many fishing boats and cargo ships.
Today, there are only a few fishing boats left and most of the industries are gone.
Over the years, the empty buildings slowly decayed, and I knew that one day they would be gone.
The oil pastel drawings in this portfolio are an homage to a cherished place, with memories I like to hold on to a little longer.
Family Portraits

Family Portraits

A lot of pieces stem from family photographs of my past. The process of making activates a kind of relationship between the subject and me. It is not about replicating the image but about translating a moment of my past into an image of my own language of materiality and texture. At the same time it allows me to hold on to a memory a little longer before Ietting go of it.
Urban landscapes

Urban landscapes

My admiration for industrial architecture dates from the time that I occupied studio space in old factories and warehouses.

For many years I had a studio in an old tobacco factory in downtown Jersey City and was surrounded by old industrial buildings.
From my window I looked at the old powerhouse, an impressive industrial structure with beautiful brickwork and huge arched windows.

Most recently, I expanded my use of patterns and textures to organize my exploration of the old industrial architecture in Jersey City, as it rapidly disappears.