Aart-jan Venema

Aart-Jan Venema is a visionary artist who masterfully blends digital and traditional painting techniques to create vibrant, multi-layered illustrations that captivate and inspire. His work is characterized by a keen compositional eye and an intricate tapestry of stories, surprises, and hidden details, inviting viewers to embark on a visual journey reminiscent of the enigmatic worlds crafted by Hieronymus Bosch, one of his artistic idols. Residing and working in The Hague, Aart has garnered significant recognition in the art community, most notably as the recipient of the Overall Professional and Design awards at the prestigious World Illustration Awards in 2017. His expansive and diverse portfolio has attracted esteemed clients including Google, BMW, The New Yorker, Kiehl’s, ZEIT magazine, Douwe Egberts, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Green Man Festival, and The Guardian. In addition to his commercial work, Aart has illustrated his debut picture book, "Night Windows," published by Cicada Books, further showcasing his artistic versatility. When he’s not immersed in his illustrations—a rarity in itself—Aart enjoys surfing, engaging in spirited board game sessions, delving into the mysterious world of *Twin Peaks*, or losing himself in the literary realms of Haruki Murakami.