Frequently Asked Questions
Personal, education, traineeship
- Are you from Sweden?
Nope, I was born in Zaanstad, a commuter town close to Amsterdam (The Netherlands), in 1974. I now live and work in Zutphen, a city in the Eastern region of The Netherlands.
- Is your name Dutch?
Yes, it's Frisian, to be precise (from Friesland, a northern province of the Netherlands, where part of my family comes from). English pronunciation: the last 'e' in Femke is like the 'u' in 'bus' and the 'ie' in Hiemstra is like the 'ee' in 'feel'.
- Did you go to art school?
I graduated at the School of Arts in Utrecht (Illustration, 1994-1997) and before that attended the Grafisch Lyceum in Amsterdam (Illustration and Visualising, 1990-1994). After art school I was a freelance illustrator for several years and in 2006/2007 I decided to focus on making personal work.
- Did your work ever won awards?
Before I realized competitions weren't really my thing, I won the following awards for my illustration work: Student Illustration Award, Association of Dutch Designers (1994), Talent Trophy Illustration Award, Dutch Art Directors Club (1995), Illustration of the Year Award, Association of Dutch Designers (1998), Institutional Illustration Award, Association of Dutch Designers (1998).
- Can I ask a few questions about illustration for my school paper?
If I have time, I'm happy to answer questions about my art, but regarding illustrations: please keep in mind that there's little continuity in my illustration assignments for a thorough answer. It might be better to consult an illustrator who regularly does illustration work.
- Can I be your trainee?
I’m afraid that won’t be possible. My schedule is pretty swamped in general and I simply don’t have time or room to assist a trainee.
- Can I drop by to visit your studio?
Alas, my home studio is not suitable for visits.
Technique, work
- Can you tell me about your painting technique?
To create a painting, I use water-thinned layers of acrylic paint (glazing technique) without an acrylic medium. For my graphite drawings, I use graphite pencils in various hardnesses. In my behind the scenes book 'The Engine Room' I discuss these techniques in detail.
- What kind of themes do you like to paint?
The narrative of my painted stories can be described as surreal and almost always features characters and (anthropomorphic) flora and fauna. Although I don't often paint the human figure, the creatures in the scenes behave similarly, with the same human characteristics. Humour is part of my work, but I'm also drawn to themes that depict strong emotions. Before 2021, most of my works were based on standalone storylines, but these days I also enjoy connecting pieces through overlapping themes. For example, the 2021 solo 'Ich bin kein Roboter' at Jaski Gallery had work as its theme, and the 2022 shared show 'Hardly my fault' at Roq la Rue Gallery was about romantic love (and why it is not on me that I don't have it).
Exhibitions, artwork
- Would you like to show at my gallery?
For all Dutch art exhibition invitations please contact Jaski Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Feinkunst Krüger represents my work in Hamburg, Germany. For exhibition requests elsewhere contact me.
- I want one of your original works. How does that work?
If you’d like to purchase a painting or drawing keep an eye on my show schedule. It’s best to contact one of the galleries on that schedule (before the exhibition starts) with the request to be put on the preview list. It’s up to the gallery if they have room to take new names on their list. When you’re on the preview list, a gallery will put together an online preview of the work, including the work’s sizes and pricing. If you follow my account on Instagram you’ll be informed on all upcoming exhibitions.
- Do you do illustration work or commissions for ceramic tile projects?
I'm currently open to projects outside of exhibitions. Feel free to send me a message.
- Do you have a mailing list?
All information on upcoming exhibitions or new shop items are announced on my Instagram profile. Follow me there to stay informed.
Exhibition list
2026
- 'Spectacle du Petite', group exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
2025
- May 17 to , 2025; shared solo exhibition 'Lush Life' at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
- Sep. 6, 2025; Art Market Bathmen, Bathmen, NL
- Oct. 25 to Nov. 23, 2025; group exhibition curated by Beautiful Bizarre 'Reverie', at Haven Gallery, Northport, NY, USA
- Nov. 29, 2025; group exhibition 'Don't Wake Daddy XX', at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
2024
- May 4 to May 25, 2024; group exhibition 'Spectacle du Petite' at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Oct. 5 to Oct. 25, 2024; group exhibition 'Fantasmorgia' at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Oct. 9 to Oct. 13, 2024; group exhibition with Jaski Gallery at the Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam, NL
- Nov. 30, 2024; group exhibition 'Don't Wake Daddy XIX', at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
2023
- May 6, 2023; Roq la Rue 25 years anniversary group exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Sep. 9 to Sep. 30, 2023, group exhibition 'Blab!’ at Copro Gallery, Santa Monica, CA, USA
- Sep. 9, to Sep. 30, 2023; group exhibition '25 Jahre Feinkunst Krüger', at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
- Sep. 16 to Nov. 4, 2023; group exhibition ‘The best of Jaski’, at One Wall Art Foundation with Jaski Gallery, Bangkok, TH
- Sep. 22 to Oct. 15, 2023; group exhibition ‘Vanguard’, at Outré Gallery, Fitzroy, VIC, AU
- Dec. 2, to Dec. 23, 2023; group exhibition 'Don't Wake Daddy XVIII', at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
2022
- Aug. 6 to 27; solo exhibition 'Hardly my Fault' at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Dec. 3 to 23; ‘Don’t Wake Daddy’ group exhibition at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
2021
- June 12 to 27; solo exhibition ‘Ich Bin Kein Roboter’ at Jaski Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
- Sept. 11 to Oct. 2nd; ‘Blab!’ group exhibition at Copro Gallery, Santa Monica, CA, USA
- Piece for the Miniature Museum (TBA), Amsterdam, NL
- Dec. 4 to 23; ‘Don’t Wake Daddy’ group exhibition at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
2020
- Februari; LA Art Show with Copro Gallery, group exhibition, LA, USA
- July 5 to 25; shared solo exhibition ‘Dreamweavers’ / Neo Fabulists 2, at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
2019
- Sept. 7 to Sept. 28; ‘Blab!’ group exhibition at Copro Gallery, Santa Monica, CA, USA
- Oct. 19 to Nov. 9; ‘Extremophiles’, solo exhibition at Megumi Ogita Gallery, Tokyo, JPN
2018
- Sept. 8 to Sept. 29; ‘Blab!’ group exhibition at Copro Gallery, Santa Monica, CA, USA
- Sept. 21 to Oct. 9; ‘Fernweh’ shared solo exhibition at Outré Gallery, Melbourne, AUS
- Nov 2nd to 23; ‘Vestiges to Voyages’, WOW x WOW online group exhibition
2017
- June 2nd to 30th; ‘Lightning Bolts & Little Sparks’, WOW x WOW online group exhibition
- Sept. 30 to Oct. 15; ‘Sonntag Spaßtag’ solo exhibition at Jaski Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
2016
- Aug. 6 to 20; ‘The Sand Castle Battle & Other Tales’ shared solo exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Oct. 21 to Nov. 13; ‘Oblige Me’ shared solo exhibition at Outré Gallery, Melbourne, AUS
- Dec. 3 to 23; ‘Don’t Wake Daddy’ group exhibition at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
2015
- Feb. 22 to Apr. 18; ’20 Years Under the Influence of Juxtapoz’ group exhibition at the LAMAG, LA, CA, USA
- Mar. 11 to Mar. 15; Atomica Gallery group exhibition at Affordable Art Fair, London, UK
- Apr. 2 to May 2; ‘Uchronia’ group exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Sept. 12 to Oct. 3; ‘Blab!’ group exhibition at Copro Gallery, Santa Monica, CA, USA
- Dec. 3 to Jan. 30, 2016; ‘Charismatic Megafauna’ group exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Dec. 5 to 23; Don’t Wake Daddy’ group exhibition at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
2014
- Jan. 15 to 19; ‘Littletopia’ group exhibition Roq la Rue Gallery at the LA Art Show, LA, CA, USA
- Mar. 6 to 29; ‘Infusion’ group exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Aug. 8 to Sept. 27; ‘Warten am Waldrand’ shared solo exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Nov. 30 to Dec. 20; ‘Don’t Wake Daddy’ group exhibition at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
2013
- Dec. 5th; ‘The Timid Cabbage 2′ mini exhibition and The Timid Cabbage book release at Roq la Rue Gallery’, Seattle, WA, USA
- Dec.1 to 21; ‘Don’t wake Daddy #8’ group exhibition at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
- May 30 & 31; lecture at the Grafill, Visueltdagene, Oslo, NO
- June 22 to July 20; ‘Fiebertraum’ shared solo exhibition at Merry Karnowsky Gallery, LA, CA, USA
2012
- Apr. 14; lecture at the Pictoplasma Festival, Berlin, DE
- June 8 to July 10; ‘Death & the Maiden’ group exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, USA
- Dec. 7 to Jan. 5; ‘Let the Devil Wear Black’ shared solo exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
2011
- Feb. 5th to Apr. 17; ‘Suggestivism’ exhibition at GCAC, Santa Ana, CA, USA
- Mar. 11 to Apr. 2; Hi Fructose group exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- May 12 to 22; Prints & the Revolution group exhibition, Amsterdam, NL
- May 13 to June 19; ‘Een week’ group collaboration/exhibition at Go Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
- June 3 to 5; ‘Zürich Garage Sale’ exhibition at Walcheturm Art Space, Zürich, CH
- May 14 to Sept.; ‘Verhalen in Verf’ poster exhibition at K2G, Amstelveen, NL
- July 30 to Aug. 27; ‘Big Thousands of Golden Flowers’ shared solo exhibition at the MK Gallery, LA, CA, USA
- Nov. 11 to Dec. 3; ‘The Timid Cabbage’ shared solo exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Dec. 12 to Jan. 3; ‘Lush Life’ group exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
2010
- May 8 to 29; ‘Neo Fabulists’ shared solo exhibition at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
- Sept. 11 to Oct. 2; ‘BLAB!’ group exhibition at Copro Gallery, Santa Monica, CA, USA
- Nov. 12 to Dec. 4; ‘The Bone Shaped Bone’ shared solo exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
2009
- Jan. 17 to Feb.18; ‘Beasts! #2’ group exhibition at Giant Robot Gallery, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Apr. 4 to Apr. 25; ‘The Herring’s Hairdo’ shared solo exhibition at Copro Nason, Santa Monica, CA, USA
- Apr. 16 to 29; Prints & The Revolution group exhibition, Amsterdam, NL
- May 5 to June 6; ‘Lush Life’ group exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- July 23 & 24; ‘Scribble 08’ group exhibition, Wonderhaus, San Diego, CA, USA
- Aug. 8 to 29; ‘BLAB Apocalypse show’ group exhibition at Copro Nason, Santa Monica, CA, USA
- Dec. 5 to 23; ‘Don’t Wake Daddy #4′, group exhibition at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
- Dec. 11 to Jan. 30; ‘Bonjour, Dachshund!’ shared solo exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
2008
- Feb. 8 to Mar. 1; ‘A cabinet of natural curiosities’ group exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Apr. 11 to May 3; Shared solo exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- June 20 to June 22; ‘Garage Sale’ #4 group exhibition at Chiellerie Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
- July 11 to Aug. 2; ’10 years Roq la Rue’ group exhibition at the Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Sept. 6 to 27; ‘Four Faces of Foofaraw’ shared solo exhibition at Feinkunst Krüger, Hamburg, DE
- Dec. 13 to Jan. 3, 2009; Group exhibition at Copro Nason Gallery, Santa Monica, CA, USA
2007
- Feb. 9 to Mar. 3; Shared solo exhibition at Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
- Apr. 6 to Apr. 9; ‘Garage Sale #3′ group exhibition at the Chiellerie Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
- June 2 to July 8; Shared exhibition at MF Gallery, NYC, NY, USA
- Nov.; Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam with Koch Bos Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
- Dec. 1, 2007 to Jan. 26; ‘La Fenêtre Secrète’ solo exhibition at Koch Bos Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
2006
- Apr. 1 to May 16; ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ group exhibition at MF Gallery, NY, NYC
- Apr. 14 to Apr. 16; ‘Garage Sale’ #2 group exhibition at Chiellerie Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
- Sept. 16 to Oct. 31; ‘Halloween’ group exhibition at MF Gallery, NY, NYC
2005
- Nov. 26 to Dec. 12; ‘Art Trek’ #2, group exhibition at Mekanik, Antwerpen, BE
2004
- Oct. 1 to Oct. 3; ‘Garage Sale’ #1, group exhibition at Chiellerie Gallery, Amsterdam, NL