“Drawing was always something I used to blow off steam: it wasn’t what I did for a living, but I’d come home from work and that was basically what I did to relax. And at some point I just fully dove into it.”
Artist Marloes de Kiewit has managed to turn her creative outlet into her work. However, finding a balance between business and creativity is sometimes difficult. We visited her at her new workplace in Rotterdam!
“Hi, I’m Marloes. I’m an artist and I make murals, illustrations and window paintings, among other things. And today we’re in Schiedam, in our warehouse, where I also work.”
If you could be a colour, which colour would you choose?
“Green! Definitely green, I don’t know why. No, I think it would be nice to have a camouflage, so you can just sit in between things and no-one will see you. And I just really love plants.”
How did your passion for drawing and painting come about?
“Drawing was always something I used to blow off steam: it wasn’t what I did for a living, but I’d come home from work and that was basically what I did to relax. And at some point I just fully dove into it.”
What was the most fun project you’ve worked on so far?
“That’s a really hard question, because there have been so many fun projects. But for me, for sure, the mural we just passed by. Because that was the first time I was able to combine two styles, and to really make something of myself on such a large scale in my own city. That was very special.”
When doing a new mural, how do you start? What does your process look like?
“This differs per project, but it often comes down to me getting some input from the customer. Occasionally I’m given a free hand, but more often I’m given some input when it comes to murals. I then make a photo of the wall and I will draw over that digitally, so the customer can already quite clearly see the direction in which things will go. And if that’s approved, we can get to work.”
On social media, you talk a lot about mental health. How do you balance work and your private life?
“That’s a really interesting question. I’m currently going through a period in which I’m having some difficulties with that. That’s why I’ve taken some more time for myself, and I’m now just working on things that give me energy and that help me recharge. I think that finding a balance between being creative just for yourself and doing assignments because you have to earn your money will always be a struggle.”
You’re using your platform to talk with other entrepreneurs. How do you like that?
“Well, that’s the nice thing about social media: when you encounter certain issues, you can share them and hopefully you get feedback from others. What I’m currently fidgeting with is that I would like to give more advice, because of what I experience as an entrepreneur and certainly in combination with the creative aspect. Because that is a real challenge.”
In what type of projects do you see the biggest challenge for yourself?
“I think that would be choosing projects that are closer to what I like, instead of taking on projects just because you need to make a living.”
How did you and Kees de Boekhouder meet?
“Someone on social media recommended him when I was looking for an accountant a few years ago. And I’ve been with Kees ever since.”
What does Kees de Boekhouder mean to you?
“It mainly means that I’m a little more relaxed about everything that has to with my administration. And that I feel the freedom to ask stupid questions, or well, you know: questions that make me feel stupid. And the feeling that you’re sort of working with like-minded people.”
