Fleur Kuipers from the fun Fleur des Fleurs is also staying indoors
Bart will stay inside a little longer. And that's why we mash it Bart Stays Inside of us nice and full. With what? The (sometimes literally) tastiest tips to stay indoors, the nicest home entertainment, fun things to keep the little things occupied and the best of the best tips to fill in some extra bonus time. Or, if you are now busier than ever, a little (a lot!) Because hello self-care) of the good for your own moment of pampering. Nothing now. That is also Bart Stays Inside.
Time to call in experts, ask the expert for advice and also 'just' (because that is secretly the most fun) to take a look at how someone else's coronacation is going. Because hey, we're all just doing whatever that's also OK. We stepped into our curious role, put on the 'naughty' shoes and listened to everything that Fleur Kuipers, the pleasant lady in question and illustrator behind the very nice Fleur des Fleurs, has to say.
A little about Fleur Kuipers, the Fleur behind Fleur des Fleurs. As a little girl, the illustrator was already drawing a lot and she was a real dreamer. After high school, art school was high on her wish list, but she did not dare, fearing not being good enough. So it became the VU in Amsterdam where Fleur quickly discovered that she really had to create to feel happy and satisfied. And thank God, we are just as happy, she continued to paint during her studies and gave exhibitions here and there.
The real eye opener came when she ended up at the South Axis and she soon hit that well-known wall. Never before, and hopefully for the last time, has she felt as disoriented as she did then. Things changed, the roles were reversed and the decision was made: it was high time to take courses and devote herself to, super cliché but true, her passion. It started with homemade cards: cheerful, colorful & natural. Then, as if by itself, the name: Fleur des Fleurs popped into her head. And it still is: colorful, cheerful & imaginative. The reason why Fleur des Fleurs is so incredibly cool. It's not just us who think so!
The best thing about Fleur? We can't say, because everything that comes out of Fleur's hands is slightly different, tailor-made or straight from the inspiration pot in Fleur's head. So the question of where she gets her inspiration from was, as you understand, quickly asked.
Gaining that bit of inspiration is completely Fleur's style, and there is room for improvement in that as well. She initially tells anywhere, all day longto get inspiration from. We have to take that literally. From the Disney and cartoons of her youth to traveling far and wide. Or ordinary, because Fleur is sometimes very ordinary (do not worry), a detour through the Vondelpark. If you look around you carefully you will see something beautiful everywhere, even a tour of Albert Cuyp can be interesting. She prefers to illustrate flora & fauna from all over the world because it is so pure, in contrast to the society we live in now. And she has a point there. Everything is rushed, has to be done quickly, quickly, we all know it. Although Fleur indicates that she sometimes loses herself within the Dutch go-with-all-the-busy-flow she occasionally consciously tries to turn this off. Creating a fantasy world where everything is in harmony. Instead of 'Slow food: 'Slow by nature of slow living' something like that.
Once inspiration has been gained and an idea for something new has emerged, the real work begins. At least, not entirely if it has to do with Fleur's working method. How does she work then? Sloppy (not our words)! Something about starting something and finishing something else at the same time. At the same time, encountering that one thing to start or creating something completely new. In short: anything but logic, peace and regularity.
And then, as suddenly as we all experienced it, we suddenly had to stay at home. It is no different at the Fleur house. And then things change. This works out best for the illustrator, because sitting within the same walls all day makes her become a little stricter on herself. Fleur's very best tip for the Corona era: a colleague/partner/housemate around you who keeps a close eye on you, occasionally puts you back on the ground with both feet, and indicates what has priority (which is now due to the crisis). is more difficult here and there, also for Fleur). Tip for now, in the present where Corona exists and is a real thing, then a mobile list of what must be completed (must-may) one thing per day. Although there are still some free assignments creeping in left and right, says Fleur. For example, the desire to make a children's book (yes, do it please, we want!) states, as we speak, on the to do to get this period for the baker. We are waiting patiently Fleur!
Who doesn't have the constant craving for coffee? If it were up to Fleur, she would already be looking forward to tomorrow's coffee in bed in the evening. So sleep in? Ha, that doesn't exist in her dictionary. How about a respective alarm clock around 06:00/07:00 and then, voila, jump out of bed? And yes, of course, enjoying the first cup of coffee of the day, the news on, the computer starting up and then it's time for the email. Ultimate tip for fellow early birds? Running in the Vondelpark (or any other park, different mapped route). It is so nice and quiet and you can easily stay 1,5 meters apart, easybreezy! A YouTube sports lesson is also recommended, preferably starting the day with the necessary exercise. Then it's all right. Then? Shower of course and then get to work before the shower.
In Fleur's words: make use of the time you have! Try to enjoy every moment as much as possible (no matter how vague it sounds). In Fleur's case, it is mainly about relaxing in the morning. Normally the woman rushes out the door, preferably within 30 minutes. Go, on to a sports class, an early scheduled appointment, quickly, quickly. Always haste, haste, haste that is not there at all but that she creates herself. Taking it easy is the rule of the day. The proof? Calmer in the head and more space to create new designs. And doing the impossible: reading on her balcony, in the spring sun.
Difficult, difficult, so many nice books. Fleur never ceases to be amazed by the entire book series JK Rowling and that has everything to do with the endless imagination of the writer. Fantasy, we've heard that one before. The House of the Ghosts is a top favorite. yes please, everything that has to do with Paranormal activities is, as far as Fleur is concerned, only exciting and, above all, interesting. Or the books of Paulo Coelho, which are always nice to read. Or they are an ultimate guilty pleasure may mention? But of course, even gladly. We like the juicy stuff. I looked two days ago and it was real Antique car onder the old timers, the Little Mermaid. Legends of the Fall should also be good, completely grayed out and seen about 15 times. Whoopsie!
Check that trade. Fleur says she now mainly uses her Instagram posts in the hope of bringing joy to people by sharing sweet colors, animals and texts. Making it clear that (as long as we are healthy) we are not having a bad time at all. Reports of domestic violence and children who are forced to stay at home or the children's telephone that is glowing red. All this is what keeps Fleur busy and makes her realize that she has to do more for children who are less fortunate. And that is another reason why Fleur is a great person and brand. Just thinking of using Fleur des Fleurs and entering into collaboration with 'The Forgotten Child'. We will keep what exactly this will be a secret for now. But we don't tip for nothing: check that trade!
