As an artist, I’m always curious. Curious about materials, about surface, about how something looks and feels.
Normally, I work on canvas. It’s familiar. But lately I’ve felt the urge to explore something more raw, more organic. Something that carries its own story. That’s when I thought about De Middelste Molen. A traditional paper mill just outside Apeldoorn, not far from where I live and work.
Nestled along the canal near Loenen, this historic mill still produces paper the old-fashioned way: by hand, by water, by patience. I decided to visit. Just to see.
And I’m so glad I did.
I was warmly welcomed. After I shared a bit about my story as an artist, I was invited to take a look in their storage area. Floor to ceiling, paper in all forms. Thick sheets, soft textures, rugged edges. Even paper made from elephant poop.
I selected a few types. Some with heavy texture like the one with the elephant poop, others lighter but full of character. I brought them home to my studio and began experimenting.
Working with living material
Painting on handmade paper is completely different from working on canvas. It moves. It sucks the paint in. It curls, shifts, reacts. The surface becomes part of the artwork, not just a passive background.
Every piece of paper has its own energy. Its own rhythm. Its own voice. It’s beautiful, wild, and unpredictable, just how I like it.
Imperfection and intention
In a fast-paced world filled with perfect prints and mass production, I choose something slower. More intentional. Handmade paper reminds me why I became an artist in the first place.
I’m now working on a series of smaller pieces, Inspired by the Dutch landscape that surrounds me.
Rooted in Apeldoorn
This story begins just a few kilometers from my studio. That feels important. Real. Honest. I love the idea that my work connects with a place, with its history, its craft, its quiet strength.
If you’re ever in the area, I invite you to stop by my studio. You can see these pieces up close. Feel the paper. Talk about the work. Or better yet, visit De Middelste Molen and see how the paper is made. It’s something you won’t forget.