My Journey

For over 35 years, I worked as a physiotherapist, 30 of which as a pelvic physiotherapist, as well as a lecturer, trainer, and consultant.

In those roles, I met women (and men) with complaints related to the pelvic floor muscles and the pelvis. The most intimate part of our body. Patients came for help with complaints such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, prolapse, pain during intercourse, or pelvic and coccyx complaints, such as those experienced by pregnant women and women who had recently given birth.

These were complaints that patients often found difficult to talk about. Yet they came, spoke about their most intimate problems, and often also about negative sexual experiences. About pain and sorrow, about their sometimes incurable diseases, and about the loss of a partner, a parent, or a child. And yes, I sometimes cried along with them… It is also impressive for me to experience how many people had those negative experiences in their history.

Stories That Shaped Me

I have heard so many stories over all those years. Sad, traumatic, emotional, and moving stories that each left a deep impression on me. They have shaped me into who I am today. I am especially grateful that all these people had so much trust in me that they dared to share their stories.

All those experiences stayed with me, and I had accepted that they would linger in my system.

From Client to Canvas

When I started intuitive painting, I was convinced where my inspiration would come from. Mainly from the many walks in the woods and on the heath, from the beautiful mushrooms I photographed time and again. But how different it turned out to be…

I was constantly led back to my work experiences, to my patients, to their stories. Initially, I did my best to ignore these emotions while painting — after all, I wanted the forest and the mushrooms — but eventually, I embraced the experiences and was able to transform them into a positive expression.

Intuitive Expression

I am taking painting classes with Ciara Gilmore from Ireland; she crossed my path. She taught me to paint intuitively. With this way of painting, these emotions came and continue to come to the surface. Everything I paint turns out to be recognizable to women (and pelvic physiotherapy colleagues), who find a pelvis, a bladder, a pelvic floor, or an emotion in it. Without naming it explicitly. It seems to bring a sense of calm. In this way, my experiences can find an even better place in a meaningful way and provide peace, both for the viewer and myself.