Biografie in het Nederlands
Biography
Michiel was born on the 4th November in The Hague and grew up in Breda.
After finishing college he returned to The Hague to continue his studies at The Royal Academy for Fine Arts.
At 17, he was actually too young to enrol, but by showing his portfolio before giving his age he was, by exception, accepted.
During his studies Michiel started working as a designer and illustrator. Hyper Realistic Airbrush was his speciality.
Teaching himself, he reached a very high standard. Slowly the challenge that realistic illustration had given him in the beginning started to fade.
Together with his younger brother he started a small company that produced billboards. Michiel had made a beautiful and refreshing design which prompted them to start supplying to estate agents.
An explosive and successful start to this company made it difficult for Michiel to do anything with his creative talent.
Yet the smell of paint kept drawing him back. As soon as some free time was available he climbed behind his easel. There was a big difference though!
The cardboard used for airbrush was traded in for shear white linen canvas. "Everybody scribbles on a piece of paper while they are on the phone".
Michiel: "I drew funny and weird animals and kept them in a large box, expecting to do something with them some day". Some day had arrived!
No more realistic work done on commission, but rough and colourful animals, using his imagination as only aid.
Yet the different and sometimes complex techniques betrayed the expert.
With only 10 to 15 pieces of art a year, for which interest was growing rapidly, a solo exhibition was never realised. For 5 years the artist had to share his time with the entrepreneur within him.
Then all becomes clear to Michiel. Art is his endless challenge. At the beginning of 2002 Michiel starts taking a step back from his company, and from 2003 starts concentrating solely on his artwork.
As he likes to describe it himself: "experimenting and messing about on canvas". An artist is born.
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