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I’m a dreamer, maker, designer, goldsmith, collector, biophile, citydweller living in Haarlem, The Netherlands. I approach the creative process as I would extensive research and trans-late my findings into all sorts of creations. With my work I try to make sense of things I don’t understand and question what might be considered obvious.
Here's my column!
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"To me ’hope’ always seemed like an elusive principle, but lately
my perception of it
has been changing."
I would love to adopt a little bit of the mindset from all characters from this happy garden history as a part of my natural life philosophy.
First of all: be gutsy and optimistic. I want to be able to just take a leap of faith. Jump into the unknown and not expect anything, just like that courageous toad.
Secondly: be welcoming of the unexpected, but set healthy boundaries.My parents never even once considered digging a pond before the arrival of their amphibian guests, but happily embraced their new role as hosts. The living arrangement only applies to the garden though, no bouncers are allowed in the house.
Finally: be opportunistic, but always share. All toads, salamanders, and all the yet to be discovered other species, all live contentedly together.
Being able to accept that life is in a constant state of flux and anticipate this feels like an essential super power. Especially now in a time where life as we know it keeps transforming. I try to deal with all of this by addressing only one new topic at a time. It helps me with balancing out the negative and positive, and avoids ’toxic info syndrome’. But there is no ready-made manual to handle a crisis.
A couple of years ago my parents were surprised by an unexpected visitor in their city garden. A bold and seemingly fearless toad decided to set up camp. They were honoured and decided unanimously that they would cater to its needs by digging a tiny pond. It soon became apparent that this pioneer was not a hermit (the toad), the pond now houses seven toads and a salamander according to the latest headcount.
To me ’hope’ always seemed like an elusive principle, but lately my perception of it has been changing. I keep finding optimism in urban wildlife and nature. Fearless toads, moss growing on concrete surfaces, plants sprouting from cracks in the pavement, trees blooming abundantly, baby ducks being ridiculously cute, and birds singing, very loudly.
Hope has shapeshifted, from ephemeral to solid. Yes, hope springs eternal. But it sprouts too, it bounces, sings, blossoms and grows, it’s enduring, optimistic and fearless. And above all it keeps me going.
A couple of years ago my parents were surprised by an unexpected visitor in their city garden. A bold and seemingly fearless toad decided to set up camp. They were honoured and decided unanimously that they would cater to its needs by digging a tiny pond. It soon became apparent that this pioneer was not a hermit (the toad), the pond now houses seven toads and a salamander according to the latest headcount.
I would love to adopt a little bit of the mindset from all characters from this happy garden history as a part of my natural life philosophy.
First of all: be gutsy and optimistic. I want to be able to just take a leap of faith. Jump into the unknown and not expect anything, just like that courageous toad.
Secondly: be welcoming of the unexpected, but set healthy boundaries.My parents never even once considered digging a pond before the arrival of their amphibian guests, but happily embraced their new role as hosts. The living arrangement only applies to the garden though, no bouncers are allowed in the house.
"To me ’hope’ always seemed like an elusive principle, but lately my erception of it has been changing."
Finally: be opportunistic, but always share. All toads, salamanders, and all the yet to be discovered other species, all live contentedly together.
Being able to accept that life is in a constant state of flux and anticipate this feels like an essential super power. Especially now in a time where life as we know it keeps transforming. I try to deal with all of this by addressing only one new topic at a time. It helps me with balancing out the negative and positive, and avoids ’toxic info syndrome’. But there is no ready-made manual to handle a crisis.
To me ’hope’ always seemed like an elusive principle, but lately my perception of it has been changing. I keep finding optimism in urban wildlife and nature. Fearless toads, moss growing on concrete surfaces, plants sprouting from cracks in the pavement, trees blooming abundantly, baby ducks being ridiculously cute, and birds singing, very loudly.
Hope has shapeshifted, from ephemeral to solid. Yes, hope springs eternal. But it sprouts too, it bounces, sings, blossoms and grows, it’s enduring, optimistic and fearless. And above all it keeps me going.
I’m a dreamer, maker, designer, goldsmith, collector, biophile, citydweller living in Haarlem, The Netherlands. I approach the creative process as I would extensive research and trans-late my findings into all sorts of creations. With my work I try to make sense of things I don’t understand and question what might be considered obvious.
Here's my column!