How it all began
1951-1976
I was born in Rotterdam in 1951. After high school, I attended the Rotterdam Art Academy, but after a year I continued my studies at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam.
In 1975, I finished my studies at the Rijksakademie and decided to continue my studies in Dijon, France. Dijon has a renowned art academy, the Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts.
Dijon in the summertime
Moreover, Dijon is a beautiful city with magnificent churches and palaces, and the surrounding landscape is very diverse.
However, I felt a strong need to work for myself, to do something for my personal development, so I didn't actually go to the academy much, but worked at home or outdoors.
During the legendary summer of 1976, I painted several cityscapes based on sketches made outdoors and felt I had a good line.
