Kathalijne Hes

Kathalijne Hes was born in 1970 in Breda and studied illustration at the high school of arts in Utrecht. She has been painting for over 25 years, with her work exhibited in galleries and held in various private collections.

Her earlier work included people, landscapes, and animals of many kinds. Since her studio is surrounded by owls from the forest, these birds became her primary focus. She paints owls because of her fascination with them and their distinctive appearance, and finds that owls lend themselves to expression of human emotions and character. The detailed work of painting feathers allows her to employ varied techniques, from thick paint application to dynamic brushwork and glazing.

Among her subjects are owls painted as portraits of recognizable figures including Geert Wilders, Donald Trump, Albert Einstein, and Lady Gaga.