I was born in Zandvoort, in the Netherlands, at the seaside and from an early age I loved making things. I adored my grandfather who painted a lot and who loved animals, two things which, up until now, are very important in my life. My grandfather invented an oil machine but he also had to raise a family of 5 girls, among them my mother, during the war so he didn't always have the time to paint but there was always a place in his house where he had several projects going on - ceramics, painting, sculpture, etc.. I really learned drawing from him !
I could spend hours on my own, painting and reading. During high school I began working in a bookshop and it was during that period I started making small stories. When things changed dramatically at the bookshop because of the crises in the 90's, I left the shop and tried to turn drawing into making serious illustration-work. The first years I made illustrations for a wildlife magazine and for biology books for children and for years now I am making picture books, although I still love making other thing - miniature books, clocks....
In my books animals and nature are very important. I am very concerned about the earth and I hope that by reading and looking at my drawings children might care a tiny bit more about our planet.
I 'met' Barbara years ago when I was looking for a book (I think it was a ladybird book) and found her wonderful shop on the internet. We became close friends although we never actually met. She has an excellent taste as you all know ! (you mustn't leave this out, dear friend) We both care about nature and we both lost our dogs in the same year which, if you love dogs with all your heart as we do, is quite something to share. We still 'talk' about her Rosie and my Shy. That was 6 years ago and since then I luckily have another wonderful dog, Roet, which means soot !
In my book Bout en Moertje, which is now translated in English, Nut and Bolt, it is all about friendship between a donkey and a mouse - maybe I was inspired ?
and our new animation ! Bout is bang / Bolt is afraid
Lots of love, Nicole
Nicole and Shy
Thank you so much Nicole, I'm very grateful for your friendship. I really enjoyed all the photographs and reading more about your life. Your baby picture is adorable!
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