Michelle Dujardin (1979)
As an artist, illustrator and published author, I decided to start my own company in 2010. After finishing my university degree in clinical and health psychology in Leiden, the Netherlands in 2003, I decided to pick up my old love for drawing and painting. I was looking for a new way to combine my passion for art and the human mind and went to look for knowledge about the psychological side of creativity and art.
On that journey of discovery I came into contact with ‘Buddhist Psychology’, where I found the answers that were outside the Western frame of mind in which I was trained. I also came into contact with the scientific ideas of Betty Edwards and the more spiritual approach to drawing of Frederick Franck. It wasn't until I started to use Frederick Franck’s method in my own artwork, when everything came together and I found what I had been looking for. It gave birth to a vibrant and minimalistic way of painting, which is now the bases of all my work. Find my commercial artwork on
www.michelledujardin.com.
Nature lover
I am absolutely a fan of nature in all it's forms. From beautiful landscapes to amazing plants, trees, flowers animals and birds. I was raised enjoying watching animals and birds in the forest. I often bring my camera or sketchbook with me and use my photos as an inspiration for my paintings. It's quite a challenge to go for a walk with me in nature. I regularly stand still or sit down to take a picture or make a sketch. Meanwhile my dog and partner are patiently waiting for me.
Heartfelt artwork
Due to my psychological background, I spoke with many people about the hardships in their life. Therfore I know how important heartfelt personal attention can be when someone has a difficult time or the loss of a loved one in their life. I also understand how difficult it can be to find the right words when you want to tell someone that you care.
This is why I create sympathy card designs with stilness and softness so they offer comfort with a light hearted feeling.
Personal life
Although I like to keep my personal life a bit 'behind the scenes', my videos do show me and my dog Bodhi walking and playing in nature often accompanied by a mysterious grey haired man. That is Willem, my partner. In my life he is the only person I know that, in Buddhist terms, 'has realized his own true nature' and now has a 'no mind'. We share a love for animals and nature and he does not only walk the dog with me, but he also contributes to my books and is responsible for the business side my work.