About
Hello! My name is Sarah van Dongen and I’m a Dutch illustrator based in Amsterdam. Ever since I was old enough I have been drawing and creating story-worlds. This is also one of the reasons why I studied comparative literature and got my masters in contemporary literature in which I focussed on children’s books. But during my studies I missed the creative life from my childhood, so I enrolled in the MA in Children’s books illustration in Cambridge, UK, which has proven to be a dream come true.
I take my sketchbooks and art supplies everywhere, which results in illustrations based on observation and daily life. Themes that I like to explore in illustration are: gardens and food, social interactions and mental health, and childhood and imagination. Although I tend to create images that are sweet and safe, I don’t shy away from the difficulties that every human being (eventually) faces. I want to make difficult subjects such as insecurity, loneliness, and loss comprehensible by illustrating these themes in an accessible way.
Apart from making children’s books, I love creating thoughtful and loving images for magazines, newspapers and stationary. I like to help others live a more creative life, whether that is by inspiring them with one of my illustrations or by giving (online) workshops and tutorials.