Sandra van Beurden Art

10.09.2025

I was putting together my artist CV and realised I was reflecting on exactly four decades of creative life, which since 1990, I’ve lived alongside a career as a patent examiner. As I went through the memories, exhibitions, courses, and projects, I realized just how rich and varied my artistic journey has been.

Starting with Art Foundation at Manchester Polytechnic in 1985, I then gained a Bsc (Hons) in Textile Design and Design Management at UMIST, which when I now look it up all these years later, “aimed to foster creativity, self-reliance, and motivation, making it ideal for individuals seeking a blend of artistic and scientific knowledge in the textile field”, I certainly got that and then some…

Throughout the 1990s, after moving to The Netherlands, I explored everything from clay modelling and bronze casting to etching and life drawing at the Koorenhuis Cultural Arts Centre in The Hague. I taught myself watercolour painting and portraiture, and painted my children and nephews and nieces once they all came along. In fact, I have continually found joy in learning and experimentation.

Alongside my day job, I devoted weekends, evenings, and holidays to expanding my skills. I organized and participated in art clubs at my place of work, the European Patent Office, coordinated workshops, and exhibited my work annually in the EPO’s ARTEX. Charity events, school workshops, and gala auctions became another way to share my passion for art with the community.

Recently, photographing my sculptures and Raku-fired pieces reminded me how much I love three-dimensional work. Painting has always been central, but sculpture has an immediacy and presence that I want to return to. Retirement at the end of 2026 will give me the freedom to devote myself fully to both painting and sculpture, to explore mixed media more deeply, and to continue learning from international workshops and online courses.

Reflecting on everything I’ve done in my life—the sights, sounds, and experiences, the travels, studies, work, and people I’ve met—everything has brought me to who I am today in my art practice. It has shaped my perspective, my techniques, and my creative voice. And I know I have so much more to give, share, and create.

I am so grateful for the way my life has intertwined creativity with a professional career. It has been a balancing act, but one that has enriched both my artistic practice and my personal life. Sharing this journey on my website feels like the right way to mark this milestone—and to show that a life in art is never just about one medium, one style, or one stage. It’s about curiosity, persistence, and the joy of making things with your hands and imagination.

I hope that I can inspire others to embrace their creative instincts, no matter where life takes them. For me, the next chapter will include painting, sculpture, mixed media, and who knows what else—I’m excited to find out.