I'm Nelleke Verhoeff, an artist / illustrator based in Rotterdam in Holland. I started my professional career as a theater-performer. Together with my partner we travelled through the Netherlands and parts of Europe. We made physical and visual theater, using circus techniques and masks. We played for adults and children in theaters, on the street and in schools.
Passion
In the meantime I discovered my love for drawing, painting and digital art. I did an intensive painting training at the Vrije Academie Rotterdam. In 2007 we changed direction and started Yepr, a company, which made websites and applications. Design was my part. It was then I found out what my real passion is: making art and illustrations.
Inspiration
I'm mostly inspired by people, I love to watch their attitudes and facial expressions. I like to tell little stories with my work. In 2011 I started a face a day project. I made a different face for 365 days and I still love the subject very much! My work has been described as whymsical, colorful and poetic.
Red Cheeks Factory
Besides Yepr, I started my own company: Red Cheeks Factory. (Red cheeks stand for enthusiasm, but also for shyness and excitement. I often have red cheeks while I’m working and also my characters have).
You can buy Red Cheeks Factory giclee prints, mini posters and postcards of my work in my Red Cheeks Factory shop
and in my Etsy shop
And in several shops in the Netherlands and in Belgium.
Books and publications:
'IA!' - Mieke van Hooft en Nelleke Verhoeff - Nov 2021 - Uitgeverij Averbode
'1 Smile, 10 Toes' - mix and match boardbook by Nelleke Verhoeff - Sept 2021 - Barefoot Books
'Red Hat, Pink Boots' - mix and match boardbook by Nelleke Verhoeff - Sept 2021 - Barefoot Books
'De taart op de kers'' - Ine De Volder en Nelleke Verhoeff - Augustus 2021 - Clavis
'Whole Whale' - Karen Yin and Nelleke Verhoeff - May 2021 - Barefoot Books
'Gertje Gans deelt uit!' - Mireille van Orden en Nelleke Verhoeff - Sept 2020 - De Vier Windstreken
'Een zoen zo groen' - Katrijn Vannerum en Nelleke Verhoeff - Sept 2020 - De Eenhoorn
'The Bread Pet'- Kate DePalma and Nelleke Verhoeff - Aug 2020 - Barefoot Books
'Van Annie Alligator tot Zeno Zebra' - Nelleke Verhoeff - May 2020 - De Vier Windstreken
Hieperderpiep! feest met theaterlezen - Liesbeth Mende en Nelleke Verhoeff - April 2020 - De Inktvis
'Von Anni Alligator bis Zeno Zebra' - Nelleke Verhoeff - Sept 2019 - Minedition
'Circus Luna' Second Children's picture book - Nelleke Verhoeff - Sept 2019 - De Eenhoorn
'Bloem en blij' Bundel met gedichten met Geert De Kockere - Jan 2019 - Pigmalion
'Vlinderen' Bundel met gedichten met Geert De Kockere - Jan 2019 - Pigmalion
En na de oorlog: poëzie bundel met Geert De Kockere - Sept 2018 - De Eenhoorn
Knip Knap Knuis' Theater leesboek met sprookjes - tekst van Liesbeth Mende -Juli 2018 - De Inktvis
'Baas van iets groots' Eerste prentenboek - Nelleke Verhoeff - Februari 2018 - De Eenhoorn
'Er is iets aan de kip met je hand' poëzie bundel voor kinderen met Geert De Kockere - Sept 2017 - De Eenhoorn
'Allemaal theater!' Theaterleesboek met teksten van Lizzy Koppe - van Pelt - juli 2017 - De inktvis
'De bel gaat' Bundel met gedichten van Geert De Kockere in en om school - Juni 2017- Pigmalion
'Voor altijd Jong' Bundel met gedichten van Geert De Kockere rond het thema afscheid en sterven - April 2017- Pigmalion
'We liefden nog lang en gelukkig' love poetry book in cooperation with Geert De Kockere - Septr 2016 - De Eenhoorn
'Uitrafelen' Bundel met gedichten van Geert De Kockere rond het thema dementie - Augustus 2016 - Pigmalion
'Vederlicht' haiku book (part of a trilogy) with Geert De Kockere - published June 2016 - Pigmalion
'Tussen oevers van fluitenkruid' haiku book (part of a trilogy) with Geert De Kockere - published June 2016 - Pigmalion
'Stil verwateren' haiku book (part of a trilogy) with Geert De Kockere - published March 2015 - Pigmalion
Hoedendag! Poems by Geert De Kockere - published Oktober 2015 - Pigmalion
Kunst Agenda - Art Diary 2013
Illustrati Magazine (special edition) released on the Bologna Children Book Fair 2012
The Morran Book Project by Camilla Engman - 2011
Kunst Agenda - Art Diary 2007
Exhibitions and awards:
Silver Nautilus Award 2020 for 'The Bread Pet' written by Kate DePalma, illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff - Barefoot Books 2020
BIISA illustration Biennale - finalist - Exhibition Amarante Portugal May 2019
'Concerto' - Finalist Silent Book Contest 2018 - Exhibition Bologma Children's Bookfair - March 2018
Ilustrarte 2018 - shortlist
'Picture This' 2017 - Winner of the Worldwide Picturebook Illustration Competition - travelling exhibition
Ilustrarte 2016 - Big International Illustration exhibition - Electricity Museum - Lissabon - Portugal - 2016
'Terugkijken' - Galerie Oker - Amsterdam - 2015
'This is not Delft' - Galerie XS - Delft - Summer 2015
'Illustrations' - Galerie XS - Delft - 2015
'Like' - Galerie Oker - Amsterdam - 2014
Filter - Amsterdam - 2014
Raamexpositie Aan De Kade - Rotterdam -2014
Gerakel en Gedruk, Pand Paulus - Schiedam - 2013
'Aan Tafel' - Galerie Oker - Amsterdam - 2013
Marché du Nord - Rotterdam - 2013
Route du Nord - Rotterdam - 2013
Smart - Light Grey Art Lab, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA - 2013
Boekhandel Kniphorst - Wageningen - 2012
KunstSchouw Westerschouwen - Zeeland - 2006
Galerie de Kwartel Kijkduin - 2006
Theater Restaurant De Lawei - Drachten - 2006
Groene Passage Galerie - Rotterdam - 2006
Van Ostadetheater - Amsterdam - 2005
Beelden in de Herfst - Delfgauw - 2005
Theater Pierrot - Den Haag - 2005
Galerie de Kwartel - Kijkduin - 2004
