It all began in spring 2006, though I’m sure the seeds were planted much earlier.

Not long after the passing of my father, that was followed after a long, intense, emotional and loving period, I felt a need to write. Stories, poems, funny things, ideas, just anything that moved me. I never felt this creative and the words and sentences just came to me. And then I took my Spanish dusty guitar that I hadn't touched in years. I did have a few guitar lessons in my teens but quitted and never got further than a few chords. Yes, a few things in life I do regret, but only a few!

And then there was a song, and many more followed. Writing music and singing became a new passion of mine, next to my work as an artist/painter. I got addicted. Music is my food for the heart, mirroring my feelings and thoughts. Painting is my food for the mind, at least for now.. With painting I take more distance, reflect more as an observer, it’s more conceptual. I need them both. I never cried in front of a painting, and I need a cry now and then. Music can do that to me, it's a healer, it's that simple. That doesn't mean I don't have to think when I write music! On the contrary, I ask questions all the time, but there's no need for answers, not anymore. Music is liberating.

It has always been a big part of my life, as a listener, and on a few occasions, as a singer. In my family I grew up with different sorts of music. A pick from my dad’s former lp- collection: Simon and Garfunkel, Abba, The Beatles, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, BZN, Paul Simon, Elvis Presley, George Baker Selection, James Last(my dad loved the trumpet and played a few tunes himself). My mom sang in a band in her early 20’s and has always sung in a church choir, she still does. She likes opera music.

Though I like different styles of music, my prefences are mostly in the singer-songwriter genre, the personal storytellers. A few of my heroes are: Janis Ian, Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman, Mary Gauthier, Dayna Kurtz, Ramses Shaffy, Bob Dylan, Eva Cassidy, Johnny Cash, Maarten van Roozendaal.

Almost all of my songs are drawn upon my personal experiences, and often from those regarding 'love'… A well of beauty, to drink from, and to drown in!

I've promised myself to write from truth, my truth, and I've learned I can't do it any other way. I think I couldn't have done this many years ago, because I regularly felt a sort of silly and ashamed for feelings that I felt. Yet, I refused to live with that idea, because I did have one lucky main card: a lust for life!

So my search for personal freedom began early 2000. I quitted my job that provided financial security but no fulfillment, followed my heart, picked up the brushes again and everything I loved doing since I was a kid.

And, last but not least, I got myself a wonderful gift: a dog! Jip. She’s still with me, 12 years of love and joy :-)

In the early days of writing I was thinking about just sticking to the writing and see if anyone was interested in singing my songs. That has changed :-) Due to the support and motivating words of professional musicians I decided to go do it myself, sing my own songs and get them out there.

And now here's the debut album 'Snowdog', that wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my best friend Babs, who offered to support me. And, it wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for producer Gabriël Peeters, and the beautiful contributions of the musicians who played on the album. I am proud of it! And I am blessed, and so grateful to have been given this opportunity. And I feel very fortunate to live the life I live.

To everyone that has supported, helped and inspired me on my musical journey;
Thank you so much!

Hope to see you all, as the journey continues.