About Bep Verheijen

My interest in painting started in high school. As a girl I was at HBS B school and my drawing teacher allowed me to "draw outside" with a classmate in the adjacent park! He was often positive about the result, and I really enjoyed it. Girls at HBS b were by far in the minority and therefore had some privileges.

During my biology studies I learned to perceive and draw what I saw during the tutorials. Together with my interest in nature, my studie created conditions for me to try to capture what is fascinating you in the environment.

I started taking art lessons when a serious illness turned my life upside down, I was almost 60 years old by then. I mainly paint because I want to try to hold on to the beauty around me. An additional benefit is that the world around disappears and you forget everything while painting, it is enormously relaxing.

Sometimes I receive commisions to make something, usually a painting of a house or their pet. This often is a portrait of their cats. The money they that is paid for the commision is usually donnated entirely to a good cause.

I also make a lot of smaller watercolors that I sell at markets in the area, often for the benefit of the Association Chats Sans Famille Bourbon Lancy. I am currently on the board of this local organization that aims to capture stray cats and have them neutered and tattooed by the local veterinarians. They are then released back into their environment. Financial support for this endeavour is also provided by the Municipality of Bourbon Lancy and the 'Fondation Trente Million d'amis'.