Who are you and where do you come from?
Hi! My name is Marloes de Vries and I’m a 28-year old illustrator from the Netherlands. I actually do a lot more but because it confuses people I stick to saying „I’m an illustrator“. I illustrate for children’s books, picture books, magazines, gig posters, music albums, greeting cards, and so on. But I also write my own picture books, write short stories for grown ups, make comics and I create art pieces for galleries. And then I also teach art classes, do photography and design. So, I guess you could say I’m an overall creative person.
Share your twitter account with us and tell us what you are twittering about:
@marloesdevee I tweet about all kinds of things. About my work and updates but I also tweet about personal things. My aim is to always be myself and to show people the person behind the work I make.
Tell us about your creative side:
I went to art school where I mainly focused on graphic design and photography. My teachers told me I wasn’t good enough to become an illustrator so I was pushed towards becoming a designer. It seemed the sensible thing to do at the time. To be honest, I was heart broken when they told me I couldn’t draw. So I quit drawing, I didn’t pick up a pencil for years.
After graduating I worked as a designer and art director in the advertising world but after some years I grew tired of it. Long hours, selling products all the time and I really missed the artistic side. So I quit my job with no plan what to do next. Just two days after quitting my first freelance job came in for graphic design and I rolled in the freelance world. Slowly I started drawing again, although I was very insecure about it. I made one illustration and sent it to a children’s magazine. For me, it was all or nothing. If they wouldn’t like it, I would never draw again, I told myself. But it got nominated for an Art Award, a known prize in the Netherlands for the best young illustrators. From that moment I knew what I needed to do: become an illustrator.
Now, three years later, I work as an illustrator with great clients and amazing assignments.
I can only say: do what you do best and love, and the rest will follow. In the end you will end up doing what you’re meant to be doing anyway so don’t waste your time being in a job that makes you unhappy.
What inspires you?
Of course other artists inspire me, but most of my inspiration comes from my friends, family and life. Sometimes life is rough but it makes you appreciate the beautiful things even more.
I can get very excited about art galleries but also bookstores. That last one if my favourite place in the world. I also try to travel as much as I can and see the world. Seeing new things and having new experiences are the best inspiration.
Time travel: Where would you go to?
I would love to visit Scotland or Ireland around the 1880’s. Don’t ask me why!
Name your favorite present book:
Hmm, difficult. I read at least six books at the same time. Lately I read a lot by John Boyne.
Which tweeter would you recommend for @createandrotate and why?
I wanted to say @emmaillustrate but she’s already been on here. She’s worth to mention again though!
My friend @ellenvesters is one of the best people ever and she’s crazy talented too. Some have it all. She has a background in psychology, makes witty illustrations and runs a shop with amazing products made by artists and illustrators (@immerurlaub).
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