Who & What
Sofie van Ek
Born in Eindhoven in 1994 and raised in Gerwen and Nuenen.
In 2017 I got my degree als Visual designer (illustrator) at the AKV St Joost in Den Bosch.
At the end of 2020 I made the decisionto start my own business called Studio SvE.
In that year I also discovered my autism; a quest that turned out not to be completed in a year. This one is still an ongoing inquiry.
On this page I tell you more about my autism and it's characteristics.
You will also find a good personal description of me; both positive and less positive aspects.
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I'm a real animal lover. Of these, cats are my favourit ones. I loved meeting them in the neighborhoods where I delivered mail in my time as postman. Animals have such a different mindset then us humans. I think that's why they fascinate me.
Biking is one of my other hobby's. Through weather and wind and rain. It's my way of working out, because I'm not a gymschool type. Not with a sports bike, but as a means of transport: when I go from A to B. I hardly use the car.
I have been living at my parents house again since a few years ago. Although i get on with them very well, i'd love to live on my own, yet that is currently unaffordable.
It also seems a bit lonely to me. Actively seeking contact with others sometimes falls short for me. Although I really appreciate my free time: I can see no one for a whole day and get lost in my own thoughts.
Since 2021 I have been working with the Vrije Volkshuisvesting, a foundation that wants to set up housing cooperatives. The idea of these housing cooperatives that appeals to me is knowing each other as neighbors and being able to mean something to each other in a more accessible way. Especially being in each others close proximity; being able to cook for a group or eat together from time to time; assisting someone when they are not feeling well. That idea appeals to me.
I often enjoy the proximity of others, without necessarily having long conversations. Yet i love a good talk from time to time and making sharp jokes. Particularly lame or dry humour.
I'm a Foodie. Especially classic sandwiches, stews (cottage pie for example), tomatoes (mmm!) and Italian or Japanese food. I especially like to cook with natural ingredients. And the fact that you do something useful with the meal you made yourself: eat it or make someone eat it, also is great.
My favorite movie theater is Lab-1. Not that I go to the cinema that often, but I like their selection of films. They are somewhat less average than the blockbusters in the large cinemas. I also like to watch a bit more alternative series. Currently, May 2022, I am watching my second South Korean series. Full of romance, humour and drama. I especially like getting a good view of other cultures. What do they eat, what are their activities, the nature, the clothes, the way people treat each other: social rules and so on.
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Reading is also something I like to do. And especially books with (psychological) mystery and suspense. One of my favorites is 'How to stop time' by Matt Haig and 'The House of the Masks' by Daniel Hecht or 'Safe Haven' by Nicholas Sparks. Crime books don't really appeal to me. There is always murder involved and way too many characters, so you can never find out who the killer is.
I am also very close with my sister. We're not always on the same page, but hey, that's what sisters are for. I wouldn't wanne be without her.
My art academy friends (the Blaasbloem club) and I are still getting along very well! Friends for life, i'd say.
Who & What
Description of my work
When making illustrations I like to create new worlds and make generous use of my imagination.
I especially like working with light, perspective, contrast and dry humor. My work is lively and richly filled with details.
But hey, take a look at all of the art on this website. Because giving a description of my drawings while you could also look at them...
What is an illustration?
That is a question I get very often.
Very succinctly:"An image that enhances a piece of text or a message".
Illustrations are the drawings that appear in the newspaper, magazines or textbooks. They clarify a message or draw someones eye into reading the article.
After all, images are eye-catchers! It's the first thing you see when you open your newspaper or scroll through your social media feed. It makes reading an article a lot more attractive and accessible.
The spam in your mailbox also does better when there is an image...
De Sea Mermaid T-Shirt Series is also an illustration. Here I tell the story of four friends. The mutial connections they have are incorporated into elements in the drawing.
Drawing such a picture is my strength!
Drawings
Everything that does not fall under 'supporting text' I call regular drawing's for the sake of convenience.
This includes self-contained drawings or self-contained series.
The inktober series from 2021 are an example of this.
Infographics
These are drawings that summarize something. For example, the goal of a company or an annual plan. Or the proces of a certain product. Or a set of rules converted into something more interesting to look at then a plain set of rules.
Very useful for communication to the outside world or within your company. Especially in a time where people have less patience for a piece of text and swipe a lot.
For IamIT I made a summary of their SIS-dev method.
What do I make drawings for?
Postcards, T-shirts, mugs, maps, folders, stickers, folders, calendars, bags, wrapping paper, website icons or logos and much more. A personal cover of your school diary? Yes, I make that too.
Actually, you can go in many directions with both regular drawings and illustrations. Therefor I cannot give you a total picture with all projects or set a limit to what i can or cannot do.
If you have other ideas that are not listed here and you want to know if I can do that or what the costs are, send me a message!
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When working I use my knowledge about: use of color, digital drawingprograms, compositions and more.
The 'less is more' principle is often the guiding principle here.
I can think broadly in the realization of ideas. And I learn more from every assignment!