When the first word you speak is "vogel" ("bird" in Dutch) it's hard not to have a lifelong passion for these flying intelligent wonders of evolution. A passion that has always been a common thread trough my life. Combining this passion with taxidermy started at Art School where I first used the dead birds I found, in my art projects. Since I was struggling to use the birds in their full potential, my parents gave me a taxidermy workshop for my 20th birthday. My best birthday present ever, and one that would probably determine the rest of my life. After Art School I attended the Radboud University of Nijmegen and got my Phd in Arts. I've always found an interest in the symbolism of birds during the early modern age. Therefore I wrote a thesis about the ring necked parakeet in historical art and one about "the Goldfinch" by Carel Fabritius.

During my study I supported myself by selling the birds I mounted, and by the time I got my Masters degree this was going well enough to make taxidermy my full time profession. While I was writing my Master thesis I met Willem who is now not only my partner in life but also in business.