About me… In a nutshell

I’m a Belgian visual artist, illustrator, communicator/translator, lift the mood/listening ear person,…. basically a jack of all trades. I studied marketing communication (BA at Erasmus hogeschool Brussels), visual arts and graphic design/advertising (MA at LUCA school of arts Brussels) and sugarcoated it with an education master in visual arts (also LUCA school of arts) and a course in creative therapy.
My work serves as a window into my personal journey through mental illness. Drawing from my own experiences, my creations offer glimpses of my healing process, serving as a reminder to others that they are not alone in their struggles. Through my art, I aim to shed light on the often solitary path of mental health challenges, cultivating understanding and empathy in a neutral tone that resonates with audiences seeking connection and solace.
For some extra information, I invite you to keep reading below.

The (more) extended version…

As the child of expats, I grew up all around the world but also traveled a bit on my own to find my way, my purpose, I suppose. I guess something everyone is looking for...

A few years ago I moved back home and started doing a job that didn't have anything to do with art (or my studies).
Eventually the work pressure, stress, and my perfectionism (but also my gut feeling and anxiety telling me something was wrong) landed me in a burn-out that was followed by an anxiety depression.
At some point throughout (a lot of) therapy, I started drawing my feelings in little sketchbooks, going from paper to canvas, and finally painting them on bigger surfaces. Like many scared, non confident artists, I didn't deem myself, nor my work good enough to show the world. A few of my therapists encouraged me to do otherwise.

I can't say I'm out of my dark misty tunnel yet, but I've found that drawing my feelings has offered me some form of solace.
As one goes through a dark journey like this, you realise there are a lot more people suffering from it, and it helps to know that we are not alone. it literally made me cry to realise how sick our society was, and how low the age was dropping for mental illness. Hello people wake up, something is really wrong!
I only hope that my drawings can relay this message: 'YOU ARE NOT ALONE'.
One only needs to reach out for help, talk about it and remember one baby step forward at a time however shitty you may feel. And remember the sun is always shining whatever storm you find yourself in. Even I have to remind myself this on a daily basis, and try to look at the bigger picture.

Over the past few years that I was 'ill', I've done a whole lot of therapy, followed different courses (including a creative therapy course), studied for an educative master in arts, read countless self-help and -development books, deepened myself in spirituality, energy and healing, done psychedelics (recreative and therapeutically), drawn/paint a lot and partaken in expositions to come out of my comfort zone and boost my self-esteem as an artist, volunteer work... - all elements that have provided keys to unlock different doors to new perspectives and healing.
I have come a long way and my recovery process is far from being finished. But what is starting to become more and more clear is that I want to help people heal through art and energy. Show them how to create the beauty that is inside of them is what came up during an plant medicine inner journey. Help them figure out what they came here to do. Inspire them. Be a creative guide for them and an advocate for well-being.

Find that light inside and shine it! Express yourself and your feelings! You are definitely worth it!