Moving from country to country, making new friends, leaving behind old ones, adapting to new perspectives on what makes the world turn. That was my life growing up. I always wondered how to tell my story, and finally I landed on the idea of telling it through visual art. Each painting depicts not only the places I lived in, but meaningful aspects of my experiences. Gouache on paper, 20"x15" - 2022 & 2023
Belgium
Right from the start, I was of two worlds: born in Antwerp, Dutch by nationality, with roots in both. It was my mother' and father's birthplace, to which we returned between moves and on vacations, and ultimately their final home. Family gatherings, memorable meals, long hikes, school in between, and family dynamics...
Bolivia
We might as well have travelled to the moon, La Paz was so different. Mountainous, exotic, and primitive, a shock to my adult parents, but not to me. Spanish was easy to learn at the age of three. Angelica, who lived with her sister and mom in a small room off the garage, became a friend, and our two dogs, also my playmates, regularly knocked me off my feet in their excitement upon my return from school. The arrival of my little brother - now that was an adjustment...
Argentina
We were transients and I was young, so Buenos Aires didn't leave lasting impressions. Memories are obscured by my mother's isolation in a new place with two young children. I remember our turtle, my little brother and me splashing in our canvas kiddie pool, and my white and blue school uniform.
Brazil
I was home. It didnt' take long to become Brazilian in culture and language. My love of music and dance was born here, and friendships left deep and lasting impressions. The all-girls catholic school, while strict, nurtured me, and countless hours at the beach ensured I became a strong swimmer. Laura influenced me more than she'll ever know.
Germany
A truncated schoolyear in Ludwigshafen followed the one in Antwerp. Everything was different: time to learn German; make new friends, again; learn the culture (being "Brazilian" made this a stretch). Skies were often grey and Dad wasn't around much. Ice skating and soccer became my anchors.
Time to move again? Sure, why not.
Canada
Starting the school year late at the awkward age of 14 and not speaking the language, sure was interesting. What were those boys in the cafeteria whispering about? Why is everyone staring? Oops, Mr. D’Huy, I’m not in this class after all….Well, one thing is for sure, this was a sink or swim situation, and luckily I’m a good swimmer.
Endless snow and bone-chilling cold, waiting for the school bus, were novel experiences and made an impression. This is where I fell in love with art, living here long enough to enroll in an after-school art program. But soon, it was time to move again….
Indonesia
Moving between western cultures does not prepare a person for an eastern one. Jakarta: hot, teeming, exotic, Muslim, with undercurrents of unrest that even I at 17 could sense. Women are second class citizens, and young, white women are considered loose (even prostitutes).
Adjust to that!
And it's a beautiful place, full of life, color and the most amazing food. A year at the international school (from which I graduated) saved me from having to wrangle with another language but did not offer opportunities to connect to art.
France
Off to college...finally following my love of art. What a heady experience to live in a country of my choosing, away from parental oversight and family dynamics, mistress of my own destiny. Strasbourg is beautifull, hitchiking hither and yonder was adventuresome, and life was good. But for a variety of reasons, I couldn't stay. When I left, I also left my artistic aspirations behind....
U.S.
I never planned it...It takes more time for me to decide what to order at a restaurant than it did for me to decide I would live here the rest of my life. Now, married with adult children and grandchildren, I have built a life I never imagined, in fact, could not imagine, growing up.
To financially support myself and my growing family I set art aside, and was fortunate to discover a passion for public health and social services. Now at last, in what some call the "golden years," I have the good fortune of health and time to pursue my first and lifelong passion - art.
The Netherlands
Despite being of Dutch nationality, I never actually lived in Holland. But my family hails from Maastricht, my brother and his children live in Rotterdam, and I was married in Gouda. I spent many vacations traversing the country, visiting family and friends - it is in my DNA.