Hello, and thank you for stopping by and taking an interest in my blog 🙂 I am the Relentless hunter and gatherer of soothing beauty, great and small, behind these pages, which for now means: here you find the stuff that makes me think, that inspires me, that I envy and am passionate about.
I started this blog in February 2013, trying to organize my interests, and redirect my career as a professional creative after a Very Busy Period In The Office. {In my last office job I worked about 50 hours per week – as Chief Creative Officer of a start-up in home & living, now called Westwing – while being a single parent with a young child… Not easy. I loved my job and did not consider it work – Do what you love, remember? – but on the home front… not good.}
——PIX ABOVE—– 1 – At some point I collected ‘ugly’ advertising flyers to paper my kitchen wall. 1997 – 2 – Our dining area / home gallery. 2010 – 3 – Being a professional creative I am lucky to earn my living through my passion. 1991-2020 – 4 – Teenage sin; collecting signs. 1981 – 5 – Collages, they appear everywhere I work. 2010 – 6 – The North Sea beach was the inspiration for my collection of rugs, Seascape. 1995 – 7 – The rug ‘Canvas’ from my Seascape Collection. 1995 – 8 – Pub ‘The Crown’ in London where local creatives would hang out. 2003 – 9 – Cupid on Piccadilly Circus, London, which I passed every day…a dangerous situation 😉 2002 – 10 – A sketch from a communication concept for a new lottery in the UK. 2000 – 11 – Love spotted on the South Bank, London. 2007 12 – My son (4 then) in the attic of the hovel that became our home. 2009 – 13 – That corner is now his bedroom. 2010 – 14 – My favorites in vtwonen, the Dutch home and living magazine I worked for as art director for 5+ years. 2007-2012 – 15 – My library at home. 2010 – 16 – Me, photo taken by my son (6 then). 2011.
———————– MY PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO ————————–
Right now I work as an independent art director and concept maker for interior magazines and lifestyle books, my company is called The Fabric Of Home (go to website)
My professional profile on LinkedIn is here
————————- MY 6 MOST DEFINING DECISIONS —————————
But! About the person behind this blog:
I have always had ‘the eye’ for inspiration, and I see it as a gift, but also an assignment: always make the most of it, you’re obliged to your talent.
Ok, without going into a long CV here’s a list: My 6 most defining achievements, chronologically:
1 – Move to Amsterdam.
2 – Go to art school, getting a degree in graphic design.
3 – Quit my job as a designer to become a full-time student again, training as a concept maker.
4 – Move to London, without knowing anybody over there, I found a job in advertising, and made great friends.
5 – Become mother to a clever boy, who brings out the best and the worst in me. He is a teenager now.
6 – Smile in the face of adversity, always 😉
——————————– KEEPING ‘M PEELED ———————————-
The blog has become my personal sketch book. It really is (…) the stuff that makes me think, that inspires me, that I envy and am passionate about.
And comments are important. What to think when someone spends a day ‘reading’ all your posts – ! more than 550 at the time – and doesn’t leave one comment? (This happened in 2016) Did it not spark one comment? What am I doing wrong? For a creative the attention of an audience is the ultimate goal. I spent years mastering the art of drawing attention, dedicated my life to it, cultivating my eye. No response is failure!
But! My blog serves a different goal. It is my space and I love it. And clicking through, it makes me feel good and inspired. Everyday life is full of wonder and I intend to keep ‘m peeled*.
*) An expression by Eric Stanley Taylor, a British actor and television presenter, best known for presenting the long-running five-minute crime program Police 5. His catchphrase was “Keep ’em peeled!” – asking viewers to be vigilant.
I, too, would love to live in Amsterdam! Thank you for visiting kartwheels. I will be following along here to see what you are up to!
Good thoughts, Karen
Keep an eye on the ‘guestroom’ category, nearly finished! And bring Captain as there are 4 chalkboard doors to fill with art 😉 I had a quick look where you are, but that is a dreamlocation!!
Hi Wilma, I find your ‘about me’ page very original and creative and it seems to me that you shouldn’t be worrying about your next step. I’m sure you’ll find something amazing to do as you seem to be really passionate and creative. Thanks for sharing your blog on Gidsy (blogworkshop), I sure am inspired by your findings and hope you’ll share a lot more!
Thank you Rosalinde, that is so good to read, always a bit insecure you see, the creative 😉 And I would love to show more, so yes, do come again!
Merci pour votre article sur mon travail !
Nadia DAFRI
No, thank you! I love your work 🙂
I love the okra stamps and the dangerous situations made me laugh out loud!
Rinky Dinky from San Fransisco
Your work is very inspirational!
thank you ,-)
Super leuke blog! Ik wil de nieuwsbrief ;), xxx
Superleuk om te horen! ,-) Om de nieuwsbrief te krijgen met de verste inspiratie moet je even op de button INSPIRE ME clicken, en het komt helemaal goed! 🙂
Dank om ons te vermelden op je blog over PAN !
Vriendelijke groet
Dirk
Graag gedaan, inspirerend werk!
Love it – refreshingly honest and naturally creative. Very you :))