merel bongenaar (she/her, 2002) -> an illustrator/artist based in haarlem, the netherlands.

as an illustrator i enjoy the slow process of creating by hand. i primarily work on paper, with my beloved pencil or ink but occasionally experiment with other materials to explore new techniques and ideas. the time intensive nature of my work allows me to lose myself in the moment, forget time exists and fully immerse myself in the creative process.

my work often serves as a visual representation of my personal experiences. i draw what i see, what i feel and what’s on my mind. for me, it’s a way to document my life visually, usually accompanied with diary entries. besides telling my personal story, i also find joy in illustrating for others, bringing their stories to life through editorial work. themes like memories and nostalgia frequently appear in my work, as well as nature. i am also fascinated by computers and technology (a love-hate relationship). i find it incredibly interesting to understand how technology works but i’m also critical of the impact digitalization has on our daily lives. 

my work is a search for peace in a fast-paced and rapidly changing world, an attempt to capture moments and preserve memories. it’s my way of processing the chaos of life and translating it into carefully created images.

want to work together? send me an email! : -)
bongenaarmerel@gmail.com

education :
BA Illustration at HKU, University of the arts Utrecht, 2021 – 2025
Internship @ Het Parool, 2024
Internship @ Grafisch Atelier Haarlem, 2024
BSc Information Technology, InHolland Haarlem, 2020-2021 + 2025