Hello you,
I am Emmy-Koos Meijer, an independent artist, illustrator & teacher based in Amsterdam. While I’m a sucker for aesthetics, I feel my biggest value is in inspiring people, brands and entrepreneurs to be more intimately connected with themselves and others. I simply use art as a tool to be able to express what truly matters: that spark, that makes you who you are. If you are ready to grow, or if you want to experience full body freedom, whether you desire a personal artwork, or dream of becoming visible with your brand - let’s chat.
Pleasure can be found in simplicity. In its minimalism, my work is deeply intimate and joyful. My drawings usually don’t consist of too many lines, but they are always in the exact right place, capturing the essence of the subject.
I want to leave this world a better place than I found it. A place where people can be their most authentic self. Free from form, labels, heaviness and judgements. To dance with life, with respect for ourselves, others, and the planet. That is why I love to work with people and brands who share these values.
How did I find "It"? My Freedom, my Passion, my Mission?
From my childhood drawings, you can recognise my early fascination with intimacy and human anatomy. My parents always encouraged me in my creative endeavours, letting me play with watercolours while still in diapers, and fuelling my imagination with surrealistic games, songs, and stories.
I knew I wanted my creative work to impact others, so at the age of 17, I enrolled at the Willem de Kooning Academy to study Advertising. After finishing my Bachelor in 2011, I started working in the creative industry. First crafting copy, concepts and stories for brands, and later connecting, learning from and inspiring other creative people in my field. Sounds cool, right? But why was I feeling so unhappy? I knew something had to change.
A mental breakdown in 2016 caused me to quit my job and go back to my creative core. I decided to be an illustrator, and so I became one. This was not as easy as it sounds - it was terrifying! - but I learned to listen to my gut and regained trust in my ability to shape my surroundings. I was so proud of myself for being alive and making a living from my drawings. To celebrate, I took a trip to Nepal in the summer of 2019.
What I expected to be “doing yoga on a mountain top” turned out to be a mind-blowing, crazy adventure. I’m still not sure what happened, but it was again terrifying, and I could not be more grateful for another chance to come closer to my authentic self. I dove deep and started attracting different jobs; designing brand identities and websites, illustrating people’s intentions, and the most special one; drawing a strong woman in her full naked glory! While wildly divers, I discovered a pattern in the new work I was doing; helping people to intimately connect with themselves, and with others. Expressing their authenticity!
Ok, enough with the heavy talk, here are some fun facts about me :)
As a kid, I was really good at karate, like, really good
I am a messy cook, just see it as an expression of love
I get nerdy about colour combinations and collect them
Although I love a good party, I’m a true introvert
I play the ukulele and write my own songs
What about you?
I want to hear your story and know what your dreams are made of. What gives you a sense of purpose? What is your intention right now? What is your relationship with yourself? What is your relationship with your body? What do you struggle with, and how can I help you? Let me know by filling out the form below and let’s see how I can contribute or how we can help each other. It is my mission to help you express your authentic self, though real, raw & intimate art. Let’s make the world our playground by being the most truthful version of ourselves!