WarriorI Painting

"My aim is to passionately and intuitively reflect authentic identity and strength through colorful, fluid and expressive abstract paintings." I was born in Aruba and emigrated to the Netherlands at the age of seven with my mother, brothers and sister. Growing up with an absent father and a strong independent single mother of five, has in many ways influenced my development. As a child I was very introvert and in drawing people, found a way to express myself and give meaning to the world around me. My interest in the human character led to an initial profession as a social worker and later an education in behavioral science (orhtopedagogy). For 20 years I have worked in psychiatric care, community development, drug- and alcohol care and child  & youth welfare. It wasn't until her early forties that I followed my childhood passion and started a part-time education in art (2009-2012). At the same time I continued to work as a social worker, studied ortopedagogy (2007-2012) and as a single mother had full-time care of my children. Needless to say that at some point I felt out of control and had to make a choice regarding the focus and balance in my life. What followed was a long journey of reflections on my values, relationships and authentic identity. A journey of choises. In 2014 I returned to my island of birth (Aruba). ​ On one hand my abstract artwork reveals a very colorful, dynamic and intuitive reflection on my own identity, life and (spiritual) development. On the other hand, there's a strong drive to reflect on my subjects. I use photo's or do interviews as a basis for my abstract portraits. This way of working allows me to be a silent observer and listener in order to transform the energy that I feel, into an authentic (abstract) portrait. ​