Since I was a kid, I’ve been curious about other people’s lives. I would look through my car window or walk down the street and wonder what sort of life did each person has. Where do they live? What does their house look like? What do they do for a living? Do they have a family? Are they loved? Are they happy? I guess that inquisitiveness never left me and somehow it has led me to become who I am and what I do today.

One of the things I love most is photographing homes. And artists’ homes would probably have to be my favorite. The home reveals the soul of its creator, the person that envisioned it and lives in it every day. My second favorite thing is meeting these homeowners, talking to them and over a few hours gaining an insight into their lives, their dreams, motivations and getting to know what inspires them and what makes them tick.

I was meant to come and photograph Irene Hoff and her art, but the moment she opened the gate I knew I had to come back and shoot not just her, but also her incredible house.

At the back of the house, there is a garden that is big enough for kids to run around. The second floor features the 3 bedrooms, plus there is a creative space in the middle where kids can do their homework, but I have to feel that a lot of art is also created here.

And to my surprise, this is not the end of it! Irene has a little plot of land next to her house where she tends to her organic garden and keeps some ducks. Total dream house!

Gaining an insight into Irene’s life was such a pleasure. Interestingly, Irene’s art is very playful, both through the color palette, the media she chooses, and her mix of themes including the Heroic exhibit referencing Playmobil or endangered animals.  Her art brings out my inner child and makes me ponder if the curiosity that I had as a child has somehow stayed with me until this day.

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