I am the same…

Part of my artistry lies in the stories I intertwine with my paintings. Storytelling is a vital aspect of who I am and what I do. 

I am a self-taught artist, learning through hands-on experience. Coming back after 9 months of travelling in South & Central America, I found my inner creative voice and made the decision to take ownership of my daily life. I am a dreamer and a creator. Vibrant and adventurous. I aim to share my journey of becoming an artist, to inspire others to act rather than dwell in a state of 'what if’.

That's why I want you - as the owner of an artwork - to understand its significance. So that each time you wear the jacket and stroll outside, it serves as a daily reminder. And just like that, my artwork and jackets create an additional meaningful value for you. And you… become a meaningful value for the color up community!

Scroll to find your artwork or read and find out everything <3

Love in Pardise

This is my very first painting—the one that kicked it all off. During the second lockdown in 2020, I had just returned from South & Central America - I was living with two friends: Thomas & Lauren in Brussels. That’s where my project started. I wanted to be creative and make money by doing something I loved. Also, I hoped that starting a painting project would give me the freedom I had experienced during my trip to South America.

At first, I wasn't sure what to paint. Thomas spent a lot of time in his music studio. He's a well-known DJ/producer, and one of his trademarks is his collection of colorful shirts. That's when the idea struck me: I could color up his studio by painting the patterns of his favorite shirt onto a canvas.

And so it began …

The story behind the painting “Love in Paradise” recalls the time Lauren (his girlfriend) and I met Thomas at Dimension Festival in Croatia, where they fell in love on a beautiful beach in paradise. Since that festival, we’ve shared countless memories together, as meeting someone can truly change your life forever. Both for us and for him.

So for everyone who falls (or falls in love again) in paradise - this one for you <3

New Beginnings

This painting symbolises “a new beginning”. Since it’s a coverup of a work I didn’t like anymore. 

My life has really changed a lot since 2020. Due to a personal event that profoundly affected me, I decided to leave Belgium and go travel to South-America. There I discovered that I enjoy being creative because at times when we couldn't do anything (because of the lockdown), I met my friend and we had creative sessions. I also became familiarized at that time with another type of lifestyle that I wished to incorporate into my daily life in Belgium.

“La Vida simple”

After my trip, it's fair to say my life took on a whole new direction—a new beginning, and apparently a new career. The moment I pick up the paintbrush or my sewing machine, an overwhelming sense of joy and excitement washes over me. It is an entirely new feeling, one that gradually transformed my entire being.

Life suddenly feels more meaningful and valuable to me. Perhaps this is what it’s like to discover a passion. It takes over your mind, changes your perspectives, and you learn so many new things. 

So a little reminder for you that amidst any circumstance or occurrence, there's always the promise of a new beginning!

Dankbaar

“Dankbaar” means “thankful” in Dutch. 

  • I am dankbaar for growing up in a very warm family where we were allowed to be 'kids' until our teenage years.
  • I am dankbaar for them providing me with everything I need;
  • I am dankbaar to possess the characteristic of discipline, which allowed me to balance a social (party ;)) life with completing my master's degrees;
  • I am dankbaar for meeting a group of friends during my student years – for all the legendary memories we made and continue to make, but now in a more 30tie kind of way;
  • I am dankbaar for my positive mindset, knowing that when I had a sad personal issue, a new and better chapter would come. I just had to be patient.
  • I am dankbaar for my lockdown in Ecuador and the moments I’ve spend afterwards in San Pancho (Mexico);
  • I am dankbaar for discovering that being creative and working for myself is truly what I want to do;
  • I am dankbaar for all the stuff I’ve learned during this process; 
  • I am dankbaar for being surrounded by other entrepreneurs;
  • I am dankbaar for having my boyfriend, who connects with me on so many levels and taught me how to dream; 
  • I am dankbaar for the life we've built around us and how we spent it. 

So let's all not forget to have trust in life. Live with an open heart and mind, follow your intuition, and the universe will provide when the time is right.

Flourishing

As a self-taught artist, the journey began without a clear destination. My initial motivation was to explore creativity and take control of my daily life. Without a plan or strategy, I started creating, unaware of where this art project would lead.

Over three years, I cultivated confidence and embraced the identity of an artist. Yet, when people ask about my livelihood, I still sometimes find it challenging to say “I am an artist”. 

Building this business is no black and white science, there is no manager that guided me through this project, my art is subjective, personal and vulnerable. It’s my baby. Yet, it continues to flourish every day, evolving alongside me. And everyday, I remind myself to enjoy the process, because each day brings new growth and learning opportunities, and the journey will never be the same again.

Consider this artwork as a daily reminder that everything you do is part of a process that will flourish on its own specific way.

During our retreat, I described it as: 'Blooming, blossoming, developing, needing water, support, love, rising, the waves, ups and downs, processing, evolution, FLOURISHING.