After two decades of experience in the police force in The Netherlands, investigating organized crime and conducting extensive research on serial killers, Hester Brink was yearning for positivity – her digital collages celebrate the beauty and diversity of our world.

By blending underwater and terrestrial elements, she highlights the surprising versatility of our surroundings, resulting in magical realist and surrealistic images.

We asked Hester about her art, creative process, and inspirations.

*Digital Collage by Hester Brink: Where the ocean meets the sky – A picture of the sky above the sea at Noordwijk and Siamese fighting fish*

Can you tell us about your background as a digital artist? What inspires your art?

I started drawing and painting more seriously when I was around 10 years old and apart from a course here and there, am mainly autodidact. Acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints where my favorite and I used to make surrealistic and magical realistic images. Whilst studying criminology and criminal law, I also sold my artworks and made many murals. Once I started working, career and my 3 sons were my priority. Working for the police force in The Netherlands, I investigated serious and organized crime, worked as a profiler for mainly homicide cases and conducted an extensive research on serial killers in The Netherlands.

*Digital Collage by Hester Brink: Skipping school – This colorful boxfish screamed pop art to me*

After working on the dark side of society for over 20 years, I yearned for ‘lighter’ things, positivity and beauty! At first I found this through interior design (furnishing business, trade fair stands and living spaces), making social media content for a fashion business and I started painting again. But then Covid hit me.

*Digital Collage by Hester Brink: Sunflowerfish – The closed petals of a sunflower reminded me of little fish, the fish in the collage is called Sunflowerfish*

Since Dec 2020 I’ve had (long) covid which had prevented me from working and also painting is not possible at the moment. My life has slowed down tremendously, which also gave me time to more appreciate the world we live in! In search for an outlet I started making collages on my iPad, using and developing the skills from the content making I already did. The pictures I use for my collages are ones I took myself during walks, ones that are send to me by friends and ones I find online. The animals and plants are real and displayed in their true colors. By combining the above and underwater world, I aim to celebrate and display the beauty and surprising versatility of our world and most of all, want to create an image that provides some lightness, makes you wonder and brings a smile to your face!

Digital Collage by Hester Brink: Springtime – Lot’s of animals and flowers combined to give you a happy spring feeling (flowers, fish, birds, nudibranch, octopus, jellyfish, cameleon, mantis, seahorses)

“Surrealistic and magical realistic art remains a major theme.”

Can you tell us about some of your favorite pieces? What makes them special to you?

‘Ibiza’ has a special place in my heart. When I was at a very low point, physically and (therefor) also mentally, I went to Ibiza on my own last year. Thinking about who I am, what makes me me, what is important to me, it was there that I could focus again of the things I can still do and make peace with being ill and having a different life than I had planned out. During my daily walks, I came across the most beautiful flowers, which are incorporated in the collage. Two weeks ago I went to Ibiza again and am currently working on a collage about that trip.

*Digital Collage by Hester Brink: Ibiza – (jelly)fish, birds, seahorse, flowers, coral*

What materials, software, and tools do you typically use for your digital artwork?

I work with an iPad and pencil and mainly use apps like Photoroom, PicCollage, Superimpose, Sketchbook, and Pixamotion.

*Digital Collage by Hester Brink: It’s a Picasso! – Picasso fish mimic a flower*

Are there any artists or creative influences that have had a significant impact on your work? How have they shaped your artistic style or approach?

I very much enjoy going to museums and galleries and find almost every style interesting and inspirational, with a preference for figurative modern art.

*Digital Collage by Hester Brink: Orchids – A picture of orchids as a base, adding dolphins, nudibranch, fish, birds and lizards*

Many surrealistic and magical realistic painters have been an inspiration from when I was young, like Dali, Magritte, Willink, Markus, Tange, Engels. The estranging effect, that makes you think about the ‘normal’ way we look at the subject is what I enjoy in this style. Pictures, sculptures and also for instance designers like The Memphis group, and for instance Annegien Schilling. Poets, songwriters can also have the same effect on me. A beautiful sentence or expression, can be the inspiration to a picture or collage.