Biography

Johanna Pieterman was born in Goes, the Netherlands in 1966 into a shipping family. The nomadic existence inspired her from early childhood and for as long as she can remember she was always happiest with a box of pencils and some paper.

Her first commissioned portraits were completed at the age of 16, and she has never looked back. Johanna studied for a diploma in Graphic Design, and after spending many years developing her own style in coloured pencils, her first major solo exhibition took place in 1991 in Antwerp, Belgium. The following 6 years saw her create many more pieces, refine her style and build an identity in the art world, with exhibitions in Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK. Her work can be found in many private collection around the world.

Feeling the need for a change and due to popular demand the next 6 years were spent concentrating on commissioned work. This included fantasy portraits and illustrations for book and CD covers, for a wide range of international customers, including the rock guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Other popular work inspired by Stevie Nicks has seen Johanna’s art mentioned in US publications such as Jane’s Magazine and Entertainment Weekly.

Johanna is currently finishing a backlog of commissioned pieces, as well as preparing work on new series of work depicting her favorite theme of animals with people.

"I always like to think I am a composer and a poet... with pencils. The story unfolds in an image, in the process of creation. I don't know in advance what tale will be told through my hands, it is always a mystery. And what truly is the greatest happiness for me is to be able to sit at my drawing table and let the images come."