Short interview with Titi Zaadnoordijk

Tell us what you do in one sentence.
I make things: drawings, linocuts, wooden animals, little bronzes, artist’s books, poems, poetry-shows, a festival act and more

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Where did you get your art education?
I went to the ABK Utrecht, a school for Art and Design, from 1982  till 1986. Which is in The Netherlands.



Who is your favorite artist?
I don’t have one favourite artist, I don’t like having favourites. I do like lots of art

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Do you have a special connection with fishes or birds?
I have always drawn and made animals, including birds and some fishes. I do like water, swimming, mermaids, boats. And birds are good company.

What are you planning to do for the book?
I am planning to make a series of  3 or 4 linocuts, from which I will choose one for the book. I have a picture in my mind with a lot of colours but I don’t know yet how it will come out.

Can you describe where you live?
I live at the edge of a very small village, Scherpenzeel, in Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands. I own a small house where I live with my two children (8 and 10 years old). I have a big studio to work in. We have a vegetable garden and a swimming pool wit pitch black water. We have a view of meadows.  The area used to be full of moors, where peat was won.

 The road to our house, in the distance, with my studio

 What is your goal in art and in life?
In life I go for it. I want to learn and to grow and to make art. I try to be happy and to do as little harm as possible. In art I want to be true and make what I have to make. It’s not my goal but I do notice that my work comforts people and gives them courage.  I like that.

Short interview with Klaartje Berkelmans

Tell us what you do in one sentence.

I am actually an autodidact in illustration. However, studying architecture and being in design school for a short period definitely helped me to become more sensitive to form, color, material and structure.

Who is your favorite artist?

I don’t have just one favorite. I admire several artists and colleagues for their skill and for the atmosphere they are able to create in their work. But one thing I’m greatly influenced by (and you can call this an artist as well) is nature. Animals (everything from elephants to little bugs) specifically, but also the green stuff like leaves, moss, mushrooms, flowers etc. etc. I’m often in awe with the color, design and perfectness of even the smallest things. This is for sure a source of inspiration to me. 

Do you have a special connection with fishes or birds?

I love birds, fish I’m not so sure about (though I love grilled tuna and sushi…). Oh, and I don’t love all the birds, just the cute ones like blackbirds and robins. Okay, may be a couple more, but fat doves are definitely not included!

What are you planning to do for the book?

Don’t know yet. I started to put some of my ideas on paper using words and sketching little images. What I’m mostly wondering about right now is: what if a bird and a fish fall in love?

Can you describe where you live?

I live in Tilburg which is a town that is not too big and not too small either. It’s just in between which makes it perfect. It’s not a specifically pretty town, but I have come to like it over the years. My favorite spot in my town is actually my own house and the room where I work. My own little universe.

What is your goal in art and in life?

To be authentic.
(In real life this turns out not to be a goal, but an everyday practice)

Titi Zaadnoordijk is busy...

Titi Zaadnoordijk hanging up work in her studio to have it photographed by Carine Hekker

Just one more exhibition and Titi Zaadnoordijk will finally face an empty agenda.. She is looking forward to start a new series of lino's on the theme Of Fishes And Birds. One of them will be picked for the traveling harmonicabook.

Of Fishes And Birds

We are 10 artists preparing for a small but fun exhibition (starting september 25th 2010). Each artist will make a graphical work on the theme Of Fishes And Birds. The sheets will be made into one 10 page harmonica book, and the book will travel to different spots on earth.

Some of us have been close friends for a long time. Some of us know each other only through the internet. We all love art and we love to cooperate. We will report about the project in this communal blog.


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