Artist Statement Although I now work as a figurative sculptor, I have had a lengthy career in design, creating contemporary and eclectic interiors and furniture where materials and textures were often juxtaposed for dramatic effect. My favorite materials were bold and industrial such as glass, steel and concrete. I still use these materials to produce my sculptures. Here is how I work. I mostly use clay or wax to create my originals. From these originals I produce molds which I can use for casting in multiple mediums and editions. What medium is eventually used depends on several things: my desire or my client's, the available budget, or the degree of casting difficulty in a certain material. Of course, the character of the piece is also of profound influence here. Most of my work is cast in bronze or concrete, but I will also press clay back into a mold if I want to kiln-fire for raku and such. As I am incapable of totally forgetting my design roots, I am interested in combining the figurative sculpting with the creation of functional and objets d'art culminating in work that might have functionality while exuding a high level of sculptural quality. I was born and raised in The Netherlands where I completed my initial education in languages. I continued my education later, studying interior design in the US and, later still, sculpture in Belgium and Italy. I have worked in London England as well as in numerous places in the US. All these moves and life experiences have very much influenced my artistic endeavors. Artist Biography I am attracted to drama and emotion and, at times, confrontation. Although I make sure that in my day-to-day life I keep all that under control, I strive to convey it in my figurative sculptures. It usually starts with a recorded moment that catches my attention. then I observe, study and look beyond the obvious to find the unique emotional self, the true essence that I then transform into its own sculptural presence through emotional, sensual and textural expressions. It is my desire to inspire others to look closer and more carefully at their fellow human beings to truly see them and to reflect on what affects and challenges all of us emotionally.