1 When did you start to make art?
Real Big World art? I guess in the beginning of the nineties when I sold my first paintings to someone I didn’t know.
2 How did you evolve into a professional artist?
I had a great teacher at the Royal Academy of Art in the Hague. He showed me the right attitude towards art.
3 What drove you to make art as a professional vocation?
Well, actually there was nothing else that interested me.
4 Explain your inspiration?
All great expectations and great failures in human life.
5 In what way does your inspiration transform into ideas?
Most of the time ideas give me a lot of inspiration. Then I play around with a lot of found images to combine it to the right image to express my idea.
6 From Ideas to production of art – how? And why?
I read a lot and I’m amazed by all the things people do and say in this world. I like to reflect on these ideas.
7 Could your ideas be portrayed in any other medium? If so which?
Print?
8 Which artists would you most like to blatantly rip off?
Damian Hirst.
9 Why is your art made?
Because there is nobody else who makes these artworks.
10 What does being an artists mean to you?
It is simply great to create and be creative.
11 Are you happy with your reasons for making art? i.e Are there any trade offs that make life hard?
Yes, very happy but the trade off is that in the Netherlands not enough people are buying art. It’s simply not in their nature. So I earn my living with building website for other artists.
12 When does your art become successful?
As soon as it resonates with the viewer.
13 What is art?
Everything that has no use but to depict an emotion or idea.
14 How do you start the process of making work?
I collect images found on the internet, magazines or books together with photographs I took. Then I open Photoshop and start shopping.
15 Who prices your work? And how is the price decided upon?
Around 3000 to 5000 euro’s
16 What is your next; move,project,show etc?
I have no idea, it’s all a bit confused now.
17 What are the pros and cons of the art market?
The same as the pros and cons of the stock market. A lot of hot air.
18 Which pieces would you like to be remembered for?
Well, all of them would be nice.
19 Any routine in making your artwork? If so what?
I wish
20 What has been the biggest break in your career?
Shaking hands with our Queen.
21 Who has been the biggest influence on you?
Hans van der Lek has had the biggest influence on me, he was one of my teachers at the Royal Art Academy. (http://www.galeries.nl/)
22 How many artworks have you given away and to whom?
Even my best friend were willing to pay for my paintings, so far I didn’t even get the chance to give them away.
