About

I'm Wietske Claessen, a print designer and illustrator, based in Amsterdam.

Back in 2002 I graduated at the Academy of Fine Arts in Maastricht, the Netherlands with a degree in fashion.

Shortly after I started working as a textile print designer for Oilily and I discovered the world of colors, prints, embroidery and textile surface design .

After several years I was realizing I need some new inspiration, I decided to volunteer with an NGO in Ayacucho, Peru where I taught a course of Design  within their education Crafts to local children.

This inspired me to become freelancer in 2009  since then i have worked for Vlisco and for clients such as Leontine Hagoort, Mexx, Room Seven, Cakewalk, Villa Venga and Stationary Team.

My love for drawing was always there, since the moment i could hold a pencil i was creating my own world.

Inspiration for my self initiated work often comes from my everyday surroundings, if it’s at home with friends,looking at the behaviour of cats and other lovely creatures ,visiting flea markets to collect treasures, reading fairy tales or during the wonderfull travels.

In everything and everybody you find something magical and then the journey to create starts on paper..

My work reflects how I like to look at the world... with a wink..and a smile.

click on illustration  to read more about me