VAN KASTJE NAAR CANVASJE
2024
GRIFTSTRAAT
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TONKE KOPPELAAR
My name is Tonke Koppelaar, and I’m an illustrator and animator based in Utrecht. “From animation to illustration and everything in between: my work aims to create a societal impact while telling a story. Dreamy, poetic, and rich in detail, I incorporate small elements into my pieces that compel the viewer to look closely and confront the realities at hand.”
The story behind this artwork
For this box, I listened to the story of neighbor Loes about her neighbor who has ALS. He spends a lot of time outside with his dog, chatting with everyone just to enjoy normal life. “It’s quite focused on him, but I’m sure the neighborhood really wants to support him; it’s a bright spot in a time that’s becoming increasingly difficult for him.” Inspired by this story, I created a design featuring the neighbor’s family riding motorcycles, which is their shared hobby. The neighbor’s wife also loves gardening, and you can see that reflected in the design, with plenty of flowers and plants, even a broom and a garden trowel. The figures in the drawing are traveling through a fantasy world, and I hope that Loes’s neighbor smiles at the beautiful memories of him and his family on their bikes.
For the colors, I chose bright, eye-catching shades that contrast beautifully with the greenery in the street. Hopefully, this colorful utility box will catch the attention of all the residents!
How did the painting go?
The painting process was a lot of fun, and the street and neighborhood felt very welcoming. I was often accompanied by the neighbor and his wife with their dog, who offered me coffee and homemade almond cookies, which I found very special. Many passersby were enthusiastic and expressed their excitement to me. It was so nice to receive such feedback from people, something I’m not used to at my desk!
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