Back in the Studio After an Inspiring New Zealand Trip
A Transformative Journey to New Zealand
There are journeys that mark a before and after, destinations you dream of visiting for years, and when they finally happen, something inside you shifts.
For me, New Zealand had always been one of those places: a land filled with symbolism, raw nature, and a creative force that feels almost magnetic. Experiencing it in person exceeded anything I had imagined.
Exploring New Zealand’s Landscapes
My trip had a special purpose: taking part in the group show “LOADED” at Boyd Dunlop Gallery in Napier, on the east coast of the North Island. Exhibiting there, connecting with local artists, and seeing my work enter into conversation with other creative perspectives was deeply enriching.
Inner Eden, acrylic on linen canvas, 80 x 100 cm. 2025
Loaded exhibition at Boyd Dunlop Gallery in Napier.
But the journey wasn’t only about the exhibition. One of my greatest passions is hiking and being immersed in nature, which fills me with vitality, energy, and inspiration, and New Zealand offered the perfect setting for that. I spent my days exploring both the North and South Islands, discovering magical landscapes, and learning about the Māori culture, which added depth and meaning to the experience. I hiked through untouched wilderness, marveling at extraordinary panoramas, and fell in love with the country.
I visited places I had dreamed of for years: Milford Sound, a sanctuary of silence and sacred light; the glaciers, immense and ancient, reminding me of the force of time; Tongariro National Park, volcanic, raw, and unlike anything I had ever seen; Mount Cook, majestic and commanding, a true symbol of New Zealand’s natural power; and Taranaki, among other iconic locations. Every trail I walked, every view, and every moment of wandering through these landscapes filled me with awe and inspiration. Nature there speaks its own language, one that connects directly to the creative subconscious, and hiking through it gave me renewed energy, a sense of freedom, and countless new ideas for my work.
Every trail, every panoramic view, every moment of wandering without direction filled me with new sensations and symbols. Nature there speaks its own language, one that connects directly to the creative subconscious.
Returning to My Studio with New Energy
And now, after this inspiring journey through New Zealand, I return to my studio with a renewed sense of purpose.
Coming back to this space, the smell of paint, the tools waiting, the walls filled with evolving ideas, I feel that everything I experienced in Aotearoa is ready to transform into new artwork.
I have new impulses, new visions, and a deeper connection to what I want to express in my upcoming paintings. Sometimes travel is the best way to find yourself again.
Today, back in my studio in Amsterdam, I feel that this trip didn’t just fulfill a dream, it opened new doors I’m eager to explore through my art.
Thank you for being here, for following this path with me. I hope the photos of the landscapes I visited, share a bit of the energy I carried back with me. And that this new creative chapter inspires you as much as it inspires me.
If you want to follow more of my travels and adventures, you can do so on my Instagram travel account, where I share daily insights, hikes, and inspirations from around the world.
Bring the inspiration home