Before becoming a fulltime artist , in 1989, I worked as a child psychologist. This interest is still present in my work, since people are my main subject. 

Although mostly self-taught, I did follow lessons at the "Vrije Academie" in The Hague and one year at the "Wackersinstitute" in Amsterdam. But the most important lessons came from painter/sculpter Hans Bayens in his studio. There I encountered the atmosphere which I was looking for. The painter of the past with whom I am most connected is Isaac Israels, a Dutch impressionist. I love to look at many other styles of paintings, but for me impressionism fits  best.