Tessa is inspired by cultural diversity, human connection, and visual storytelling. For her, art is a way to express what words cannot capture. Each piece she creates reflects deep emotions, dreams, memories, or images she empathically feels when she sees the eyes of others.

Tessa was born in Lemmer, Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands. When she was ten years old, she travelled the world with her parents and brother. She had the opportunity to play freely and explore unfamiliar cities and countryside. She was struck by the varied landscapes that she encountered. The faces of people who spoke and acted differently left an indelible impression on her. The eyes of the people she came across stuck with her. 

Tessa began painting in 2018. Inspiration came first, while materials came second. She started with materials she could find on the streets of Amsterdam; used cardboard — raw, torn, thrown out – became her first signature medium. She collected cardboard during her morning walks, letting the streets decide which surface she would work on next.

Through bold brushstrokes and layered textures, she weaves fragments of the world into a language of her own. The backgrounds she paints feel loose, expressive, and untamed — while she renders faces with precise detail. Tessa’s portraits include gold pigment in the eyes, honoring the spark she sees in the people who inspire her work.

Tessa hopes that her artwork reminds the viewer that there is wisdom in what we no longer collectively value, and truth beneath what we overlook.