Photo by Marjolein Heije at the Peer in Gallery, The Hague
About
Hello, I’m Mariska, I’m an illustrator and printmaker from the Netherlands.
In my illustration practise I like to work with bold, simplified shapes, texture and vivid colours in a limited colour palette. My aim is to create bright and fun illustrations with printmaking and mixed media at its foundation. I find inspiration in the natural world, animals and mythology, and many of my projects are influenced by these subjects. My current picture book projects are humorous with a focus on animal characters. I love using a mix of materials when illustrating, like gouache, crayons and pencil crayons, but my favourite medium is printmaking.
For inquiries about my prints or to work with me, you can get in touch by emailing me at: hello@mariskagewald.com
PUBLICATIONS
2024, Being an Elephant is Epic! by BlueRabbit Korea
2023, De Survivalgids voor Puppy Parents, Lannoo
2023, Le Siciliane – Almanacco illustrato per giovani sognatrici,
Centro Passi
2022, Eerste Hulp bij Kattenkwaad, Lannoo
2016, Unmaking or How to Rethink Urban Narratives, Expodium Utrecht
LECTURES & WORKSHOPS
2017 - present - Printmaking workshop teacher, Grafische Werkplaats, The Hague
March 2017, Guest lecturer - KABK elective tour: Ways of Walking, Royal Academy of Art & Stroom, The Hague
May 2015, Guest lecturer - Preliminary workshop for HKU students, Expodium Collective, Utrecht
May 2015, Guest artist - Expodium Collective, Utrecht
EDUCATION
MA Children's Book Illustration, 2019/2021 Cambridge School of Art, Cambridge
BA Graphic Design, 2014 Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam
EXHIBITIONS
2026, Peer in Gallery, The Hague
2025, Cats vs Dogs, Heilige familiekerk, Rotterdam
2024, International Illustration exhibition, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, Center for the Development and Promotion of 1916 Cultural and Creative Workshop of Cultural Heritage Park, Taiwan
2021, MA Children's Book Illustration Degree Show Candid Arts Trust, London
2021, The Illustrators Exhibition, Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Bologna
2015, Living Archive Exhibition, Unmaking The Netherlands (UTN), Expodium Utrecht
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
2022, selected for the dPICTUS Unpublished Picture book longlist with 'I am the Night'
2021, selected for the dPICTUS Unpublished Picturebook Showcase 3, 'Being an Elephant is Epic!' with 7 publisher votes
2021, MA Children's Book Illustration Printmaking Award, Cambridge School of Art
2021, Honorable Mention, Awagami International Miniprint Exhibition (A.I.M.P.E)
2021, Winner Picture This! - Selected by the English judges with the artwork for 'I am the Night'
2021, Selected for the Illustrators Exhibition, Bologna Children's Book Fair, Bologna, 'Being an Elephant is Epic!' artwork
2019, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds scholarship