Hello there! I'm Maruga Koops, a Dutch-Aruban artist from a quaint village in the Netherlands and now settled in bustling Utrecht. My canvas comes alive with playful, digital art that pops with color, often textured with handmade touches reminiscent of colored pencils or monoprints. But it's not just the hues and lines that form the focus of my work-it's diversity and inclusivity. I strive to create art that resonates with people everywhere in a way that was missing in my childhood imagery. When I'm not dabbling in painting, printing, or drawing, you might find me savouring a large latte at my favorite coffee shop, grooving to some funky beats, or taking long walks in nature with my dog, Suki, and my husband.

Right at the heart of my portfolio is the illustrated picture book "Just Like Tina", a project inspired by the life of the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll-Tina Turner. This project directed by my admiration for Tina's contribution to the black community holds a special place in my heart. Audiences warm to the emotional depth of my characters and their diverse representation, reasons they keep coming back for more. But I'm not just an artist; I trained as a pedagogue and have a rich experience working with young children. This allows me to know precisely what will engage them. My creative process is a meticulous symphony, starting in a sketchbook, moving onto storyboarding and rough sketches, then onto my iPad and finally coming alive with color and diverse (handmade) textures.

Drawing and musing are daily rituals that overlap beautifully in my life. As a child, my father's travels acquainted me with a treasure trove of cute toys and trinkets from far-off lands, fostering my fascination for a cute style which I infuse in my art today. Beyond the confines of my workspace, nature's enchanting beauty often pulls me into its embrace or I find solace in city cafes, observing life go by. Thumbing through vintage clothing, old books, and magazines at thrift stores also tickle my creative juices. On an idyllic Sunday, you'll find me easing into the day with a Latte macchiato in bed, a leisurely breakfast, quality time with my beautiful daughters, a stroll with my husband and the dog, and some creative time to sketch or gel-plate. In the end, I wish to be remembered not just as a friendly and kind soul who deeply cares for people but as someone who made people feel good about themselves. Alongside my two daughters, our family is completed by a cat and a dog, making our home a menagerie of love and creativity.