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Maaike made an intriguing - and late-in-life - route into art. She first owned a theatre pub, and was a professional events organiser, staging and managing exhibitions for other artists. Entrepreneur Maaike was also a keen patron, and would regularly buy pictures from exhibiting artists. Her eureka call, 'I can do that' moment, dawned some years later, and Maaike grasped the opportunity to start her art career, knowing that this was to be her true vocation. A move, with her husband, to the northeast of England proved to be outstanding inspiration for Maaike, and over the past three years she has produced some 240 pictures, half of which have gone to private collections in Denmark, Greece, France, Italy, Holland and the Caribbean. With the remaining pieces of work staying within the region. Twice an exhibitor at the prestigious Dover Prize show, she has six times earned a place in the Highly Recommended category at the Society of Arts exhibition and has won the Laurie Gray award in the same exhibition. The last two years she has had several one - woman shows and numerous shared exhibitions. Maaike has undertaken several commissions, The Trust of Darlington's football stadium commissioned a work featuring foot-balling greats; proceeds from the 150 limited edition print went to support the club. The Council have included the football club image in their portfolio of artworks worth of officially promoting the town and district. Hummersknott School, Darlington also approached Maaike for a work of art to depict their 'Celebration of the International Spirit of Darlington'. Home to the railways, Maaike chose this subject as the theme to represent the internationally links. Independent Boys School, Hurworth House, recently commissioned Maaike to produce a painting of their grand Georgian building. 50 limited edition prints were reproduced and went on sale to raise funds for the school. Maaike's pastels are widely available to view, and not always in a formal setting. Her images enliven Ochi's and Sam's, both stylish Darlington eateries - and have also decorated the walls of the physiotherapy department of a nearby hospital. Vigorous and expressive as an artist, Maaike's chosen medium for the last two and half years has been pastels. However, rare early pictures feature acrylic paint, and watercolour. Maaike's inspiration for her work is a combination of her love of life, travelling and the natural environment. There is the promise of more exotic influences in the future as she plans a move to Egypt - "a skyscraper studio overlooking the Pyramids is on the cards!" However Maaike has vowed to return to Darlington for two months every year to "feed the need" for her work. Solo exhibitions include:
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