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Short summary of my life and artistic journey
I was born in Leipzig, but I spent my childhood in Delitzsch, a small town in northern Saxony. Both of my parents worked, so I was often alone and discovered my passion for drawing and painting at an early age. Even as a little girl, I used every free moment to create small artworks with pen and paper—my very own oasis of creativity.
At my father’s insistence, I began training as a technical draftsman—but after just a few weeks, I knew: this wasn’t for me! Instead of calculations and cold precision, I longed for creativity and expression. So, I took my fate into my own hands. I took private drawing lessons with the Leipzig artist Rolf Kress and deepened my skills at the renowned Academy of Fine Arts and Book Design Leipzig.
That year turned my life upside down: my son was born, I moved to Berlin to be with my child's father, and shortly afterward, I found myself a single mother. The dream of becoming an artist? Put on ice for now. In the fall of 1989, I turned my back on the GDR and ended up in Tübingen – a city full of charm and beautiful surroundings. But career-wise? A real nightmare. Childcare was barely worth mentioning, and babysitters were only available in the evenings. So, I threw myself into the nightlife – but behind the bar. Waiting tables at night, being a mom during the day: that was my daily life.
Four years in the hospitality industry, and then it became clear to me: the dream of a stable professional future in Tübingen was simply not achievable. At least not as a single mother. So, I packed my things, moved back to Berlin, and that same year, I took a big step forward – retraining as a business communication specialist. By then, my son was past the most challenging years and already in school.
After my retraining, I quickly landed a job in the administration of the Free University of Berlin. But truly fulfilled? Not even close. I was still painting and drawing, but as a career path? It just seemed too uncertain.
This year, I took a big leap: I started studying media design in Berlin. Film and sound editing, image processing, 2D and 3D animation, web design and HTML/CSS, programming in Perl and PHP – I was in heaven! Finally, creativity was at the center of my life, and the best part? I was surrounded by people who thought just like me. Absolutely amazing!
At the beginning of the year, I completed my studies—just in time, as the internet had become an absolute sensation. There were endless job opportunities, but hardly any specialists. As one of the first freelance web designers in Berlin, I was flooded with projects. Eventually, I landed a role with a company in Toronto, working as a freelance UIX and interface designer. At the same time, I was a freelancer for a local Berlin TV station, handling everything related to film animation. The jobs were exciting and diverse, but they came at a price: predictable working hours? Not a chance. My workdays often stretched beyond 24 hours—an immense challenge, especially with a child who wasn’t yet independent. So, my relief was all the greater when, one autumn evening, I received a call from Bild-Zeitung. Could I start as a web designer the very next morning? I didn’t have to think twice—I immediately said yes and started my new job in Berlin’s online editorial team the following morning. It changed everything: free evenings, free weekends—pure bliss!
My first big exhibition – in a gallery in Worpswede. On the way home from the opening, still in the car, my phone rang. It was the gallerist: "Send me new paintings as soon as you get home – almost everything here is sold!" What a moment! That experience not only gave me confidence but also a huge boost. From then on, I painted and drew even more, full of enthusiasm and energy.
The year of the banking crisis brought a big change for me: I moved to the Netherlands for a job at ABN Amro – a one-year contract. But shortly after I arrived, parts of ABN Amro, including my department, were sold to the Royal Bank of Scotland. Three months later, my new bosses offered me a permanent position. And well, I just stayed!
This year was a turning point: at an exhibition opening, I met the gallerist Roel van der Veen. His gallery, which he ran in the second generation, was a renowned address for contemporary realism—well known both nationally and internationally. When he added my paintings to his permanent collection, I was over the moon with pride!But that was just the beginning: Roel and I didn’t just become friends—we became a couple. By the end of the year, it was clear that my life was about to change completely. I quit my job at the bank, gave up my apartment in Roermond, and moved in with my partner in the picturesque Maasduinen. A new chapter had begun!
At the beginning of 2013, I took a leap of faith—one I could hardly believe in myself: I opened a painting and drawing school in my new hometown. In a tiny village, in the middle of nowhere—who would even come? But surprise! The school is still going strong, now for an incredible 12 years! And it’s more successful than ever: every spot is taken, and the waiting list keeps growing. A success I never could have dreamed of back then. Sometimes, life has the most wonderful surprises!
In the Netherlands, I have long made a name for myself as a realist painter. My works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums—not just nationally, but also internationally, from Belgium and Austria to Taiwan and the USA. In August, I married my partner. Since then, my official name has been Brita van der Veen—but as an artist, I am, of course, keeping my maiden name. It's well known here, and changing it would be a disaster.
Corona had the world in its grip—we, too, had to close our gallery and art school. But instead of sitting idly by, I made the most of the time: I began studying Fijnschilderkunst (Old Master painting techniques) at the renowned Academy for Realistic Painting in Deventer. A challenge that gave me fresh energy and inspiration.
This year has once again turned my life completely upside down. At the beginning of the year, my husband suddenly fell ill. He grew weaker and weaker, and despite the doctors' best efforts, no clear diagnosis could be found. In the summer, he passed away unexpectedly. The void he left behind is immense. For 12 years, we were inseparable—we never spent a single day apart and were together from morning to night. Now, I am a widow, facing the challenge of rebuilding my life once again. But one thing is certain: I will stay here in Aijen, in our home, continue my work at the art school, and see where life takes me next. Despite all the grief, this year also brought a special moment: I was inducted into the elite group of Meesters van het Realisme (Masters of Realism). This honor is truly special because one cannot apply for it—one must be invited. A true knighthood for me as an artist!
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