Ever since I was a little toddler all I wanted to do was draw 'critters'.
However, shortly after my training as a graphic designer, I put the pencils aside and took a completely different path professionally.
Until a few years ago someone asked me if I wanted to make a portrait of his dog, then a second portrait followed, and I've been unstoppable ever since...
I spend as much time as possible outdoors, preferably in the forest where I observe and photograph nature in peace and quiet.
I strive to convert my passion for animals into realistic portraits where I try to approach the character of the animal as much as possible.
In my art, I try to make the viewer aware of the beauty of all living beings.
I often draw endangered species and want to include a message. A message of
awareness of the threats that hang over many of these species.
I work photo-realistic to be able to portray the character of the animal as well as possible. Images say so much more than words.
The viewer has to want to touch the animal, to feel it.
When I started to do animal portraits, I first tried out various techniques. But pastel quickly became my favourite. I chose pastel for its texture, its user-friendliness and the softness of its colours.
Pastel allows me to apply colour and light directly with pure pigment. There is no need to mix colours or add water or medium.
Something in me always wants to start with the eyes. I think the eyes are the most important part in a portrait by the way, whether it is a dog or an elephant, the eyes are the mirror of the soul
I have a feeling that if the eyes look good, the rest will come naturally.
I have the ambition to use my work increasingly to create awareness about the urgence of protecting wildlife and nature among the viewer and to donate part of the proceeds of the sale to conservation.
03/2024 : Special Merit – Art&Color Magazine 365
01/2024 : 2023 Artwork of the YEAR – Camelback Gallery
08/2023 : Silver Award – Camelback Gallery All Animals
06/2023 : First Prize – Art&Color Magazine 365
03/2023 : First Prize – 24th Annual Pastel Journal PASTEL 100
02/2023 : Merit Award – Grey Cube Gallery
02/2023 : Best In Show – Camelback’s Gallery’s Amazing Animals
01/2023 : First Prize – Global Painting Conclave
12/2022 : 3rd Place – Paint and other media LightSpaceTime
10/2022 : 3rd Prize – International Artist Magazine Challenge, Wildlife
09/2022 : 3rd Place – 2022 American Art Awards
09/2022 : Best in Show – 7th Animal Kingdom Art Exhibition by Fusion Art
08/2022 : Runner-Up Prize Award – Art Show International Gallery
06/2002 : Finalist – David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2022
04/2022 : Merit Prize Award – Art Show International Gallery
03/2022 : Best in Show – Fusion Art Exhibition 2022
11/2023 : Publication in Artist’s Magazine : Strokes of Genius 2023
06/2023 : COVER Art&Color365
06/2023 : Article in Art&Color365
05/2023 : Article in Pastel World
03/2023 : Article in Pastel Journal
11/2022 : Publication in Circle Quarterly Art Review Magazine
10/2022 : Article in International Artist Magaine
07/2022 : Article in Maison&Jardin magazine
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