Born and raised in Utrecht, The Netherlands, after being successfully studying the influence of modern media JJ started studying Law at University of Utrecht. But when his elderly sister visited him at his attic studio on the famous Oudegracht in Utrecht and seeing more paintings than law books she advised him; “shouldn’t you sent mom and dad a letter that you quit your law study and that you are becoming an artist ? “. So he did and then his real story begins.

He started a large production of drawings, sketches, paintings, photography and sculpture projects, all to be used as his portfolio for his entrance at HKU University of Arts Utrecht. To his own surprise he was immediately selected and chosen. A period of five years of astonishing happy mettlesome studying at the academy starts. The first three years he eagerly follows the classes of the three main directions : sculpting, graphic arts and painting. In his fourth en fifth year he decides to concentrate on his real passion : painting and drawing.