How long have you been drawing? The story goes that, in Kindergarten, I always came home with a drawing congratulating my parents. My mother inquired why that was, and she was told that when someone in the family had a birthday, children were allowed to make a drawing during class. I always wanted to draw, so there was always someone in my family having a birthday. When did you realize that you wanted to become an illustrator? From the time that I was in grade school I dreamed of becoming an illustrator. But I was afraid that I lacked the talent. So I did everything else: from counting cars and teaching, to designing and layout. I still enjoy doing a variety of things. The combination of designing and illustrating appeals to me most because you're involved in the development of the whole communication process in which the illustration plays an important role. Have you studied formally? What? Teachers' school for drawing and Dutch, and after that I followed a course in graphic design at the Art College in Utrecht. I had illustration as a major, and that was fun. I enjoyed trying out all the techniques a whole year long. Who are your clients and how did they find you? People who enjoy working with me and who think my work is good. How do you start a job and where do you seek inspiration? Usually I just start. I try to formulate clearly the message that needs to be communicated and then I write down and sketch the associations that come into mind. Depending on the commission, I make a choice and start defining one sketch right away or I let things smolder in order to choose later and work it out some more.		In what media do you prefer to work? I choose per commission which material and technique I will use: collage, 3-D, paint, pen and ink, pencil, clay, computer (Illustrator or Photoshop). For me it is very important to choose a technique that fits the commission, material that creates a good feeling and with which I can communicate the message best. Moreover, I enjoy handling it differently every time. That keeps me on my toes and inspires me. However, sometimes I wonder if my way of working is effective enough, it may even be quite inefficient, economically. When is a drawing finished? If it's good, or if the deadline has arrived. What work have you been most satisfied with? Usually I'm very satisfied with one of the most recent works. I have only been working for a half a year as an illustrator and that means that I still have a lot to learn and discover. Often I am happily surprised with my capabilities. What kind of project would you still like to tackle? Children's book, business brochure, animation.
		sources of inspiration: I like people who are able to tell a lot with a simple picture, especially one which can move me deeply or make me laugh. 1] Jan Mankes, goat 2] Charlotte Mutsaers, 'Even a hare made from chocolate shits vanilla custard from time to time' 3] Wim Hofman, candy eater 4] Max Kisman, from: 'Diary documents 86-89' portrait: self portrait '(Not) everything fits on the scanner'