HOW I BECAME STARLING & PAINT

After the Academy of Arts, I started out as a graphic designer,
years later I started painting for a living.
I had many successful exhibitions over the years.
I also have a degree in Interior Design,
and have taught this course at the Artemis Academy
and the Jan des Bouvrie Academy for many years.
Later on I went back to my roots as an artist, and this is what I practice now full time.
I founded Starling & Paint in 2018
and started my blog in 2019,
as a new platform to share my development online.
I hope you enjoy it!

Starling & Paint

I work with mixed media
collages, scrapbooks, photography, painting, collecting, creating archives,
textile art, fashion label, concept art, drawing, staged photography, video art etc.

I live with my family on a converted farm in the country,
we have two dogs and I love walking with them
early in the morning in the silence of nature.

Every day I drive through the beautiful landscape
just to taste the area, see the sky, and the birds.

I don’t have to leave my house to get inspiration, the world presents itself to me.
I have found my own path, by leaving the beaten track.
I work independently and draw my own plan.
Being creative and being my own boss, for me there is nothing better.
My work is what counts, the main reason for my existence.

The farm has a lot of spaces to work in, but mostly I work in the barn,
when it is cold I just turn on the wood stove.
In the morning I have the most energy, so I do the more physical work.
Clearing up my work-space is even meditating, it gives me energy.
The farm is the total package, all to be able to practice my passion for art.

I take the time to muddle up, bored is good, it brings me new ideas.
I’m always looking for the challenge to turn anything into something beautiful.
All I want to do is create things, nothing else.
Make beautiful things.
I like to inspire others. I am not afraid that I am doing it wrong,
everything is allowed, there are no restrictions.
But the right limitations can lead to the best work.
Creativity is consciously putting things in and consciously leaving things out.
I never reach the top of my abilities,
there is always a new assignment to look forward to.

Starling & Paint