Marion

Because of traveling (Marion likes to travel), our first meeting was postponed for months but we kept in touch via Instagram. A few weeks ago it was finally the day of our photoshoot and my intuition turned out to be correct. The love she expresses in her virtual connection with me, on which I made my decision to ask her for a portrait, turned out to be many times warmer in reality. This tiny lady has a big personality and a great heart.

What would you say is the strangest thing about becoming an older woman?

In my mind, I am still the same woman as when I was 18.

What’s the Biggest Risk You’ve Ever Taken?

My husband and I started our own company when we had just bought a new house.

What Do you Regret Most?

That there is so much hunger and hatred in half the world, and too much of everything in the other half.

What Scares You?

I am not easily scared about things, kind of fatalistic, like it will happen anyway. And fortunately no bad thoughts about the kids having an accident or that kind of things.

Tell Us About Yourself?

I was born in Haarlem in 1951. Being a star sign Libra I love harmony. I also love nice colors and … well everything that inspires me in life. I was born the third girl in a family of five girls and the only one who has become an artist.

Already at the age of 10/12 I made drawings and wrote some stories. I still have them in a box at home. But because I had to work and earn money for my family I didn’t have the opportunity to go to art school for an official education in art. I loved playing basketball and even played in the Dutch team. When I met my husband, we decided to move to another part of the country, got married and we had two sons.

When I was 39, we started our own business in furniture which was successful but very hard work. Later we could afford a house in France where we spend a lot of time these days, it is there that I do my sculpturing. I started sculpturing and painting at the age of 45 at the Open University.

Since 2004 I exhibit with my work in France and the Netherlands. I can lose myself in creating and I hope to do it until the day I die. I love to learn and over the years I learned to sew, draw and design clothes. I followed a course of Psychology, studied languages like English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian. I am also very fond of Astrology, I have had several experiences with dead people and I believe there is more then the eye can see.

If you could tweet something to your younger self, what would you say?

Always trust your gut feeling, your intuition is right.

What makes you happy?

Meeting new people and feel a connection because you’re on the same spiritual level. Traveling, new experiences, seeing my twin grandsons laugh. And of course, I love to create.

What are you most looking forward to in the next six months?

I am looking forward to the moment my 8-months-old twin grandsons will finally sleep through the night. Their parents are exhausted.

Favorite thing to do when no one is around?

Then I love to peacefully read a book or watch a movie.

How old are you?

68.

Dress by Ganni and earrings by Amber Sceats.