You’re a new addition to the crayon box: what color are you?
Well since I also practice yoga, let’s go for that bright light inside: Uncut titanic white 

What is your earliest memory of art? 
I think it was a school trip. I don’t know the museum anymore, but I still remember I was struck with a amazement of the  ne painted silverware. How can you paint real silver?  How is this possible with just paint and a brush? 

How did you become a practicing artist? 
I liked drawing as a kid and nurtured this trough my youth. I didn’t go to art school. Instead I went to a more commercial design-art direction academy. Later on I owned a printshop and toyed with the idea to paint with the screen-print squeegees. So I bought some canvases and 2 tubes of white and black oil paint. I had a strong image in my mind and just went for it. It felt so good, I couldn’t stop painting after that moment. 

You reference the ocean as an inspiration for your work -- are there any specific places (beaches, coastlines, etc) that are particularly inspiring for you? 
The Dutch northsea, especially “Langerveldeslag” at the top of South Holland.  A modest plain beach without the bars and with typically Dutch bad surf. But I grew up near this  coast and spend a lot of time on the beach. Tough my direct inspiration for my horizon split  came in Denmark at Hou. And i like the surf in Mimizan France.  

What does a typical studio day look like for you? 
I try to paint every Saturday. After grocery shopping and breakfast I bring my kid(s) to the atelier. Get them started. Try to get in touch with the image/color palette myself and start bold and free  with a large canvas. After that just follow the clues. Try to better the weak parts and try keep the  strong accidental gifts. Getting less and less free in the process, anxious to mess up the strong parts. Sometimes just let go of the original idea and just work with what’s in front of me until the stop  sign shows itself. If their is still time left I paint a few small panels with my rest paint for my ongoing seascape generator project. After that clean up our mess.  

If you could transform into any one of your pieces which one would you choose and why? 
“First Horizon”. It’s my first seascape with the squeegee. And it’s very Northsea, nothing fancy.  Not insta friendly. Just the naked truth. But when I’m cold I prefer one of my sunset titles.

What is your favorite tool(s) to create with? 
No doubt my 45 cm screen-print squeegee and my metal cake glazing spatula with a curve at  the handle, so your hands won’t touch the surface. 

Your artwork incorporates a lot of texture -- what techniques do you use to bring that element into your work? 
I hardly use any brushes. Not even for my cloud parts. Most structure comes from my  abundant covered pallet knives. 

Can you tell us about your favorite surfing memory? 
Those occasional perfect long summer days with the right swell and not to crowded line-up. Standing on water, one with the ocean, sun setting, camp re waiting. Just magic. 

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your practice? 
Unfortunately my screen printing shop has been hit hard. It was a hard choice but I decided to quit.  Luckily I have more time for painting now and I am motivated to get my work to a next level.