Maria is illustrator and author of picture books for kids.
She grew up near Amsterdam, and studied Visual Communications at George Washington University in DC.
Maria has a background in new brand innovation with The Coca-Cola Company, and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and son.
Maria grew up near Amsterdam,
which she loved to explore riding
on the back of her grandfather’s bicycle.
which she loved to explore riding
on the back of her grandfather’s bicycle.
That wish came true ten years later.
Maria was accepted to the Visual Communications program at George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Maria was accepted to the Visual Communications program at George Washington University in Washington, DC.
But Maria’s US visa had expired.
Her American Dream was put on hold. Maria returned to Holland.
Her American Dream was put on hold. Maria returned to Holland.
The hard work paid off; Maria was offered a job
in new brand innovation at the company’s head office in Atlanta.
in new brand innovation at the company’s head office in Atlanta.
She enjoyed drawing and making up stories.
When she was eight, she created her first book, filled with
drawings of places in America she hoped to visit one day.
When she was eight, she created her first book, filled with
drawings of places in America she hoped to visit one day.
It was when she traveled to San Francisco
that the dream to make America her home was born.
that the dream to make America her home was born.
Determined to find her way back to San Francisco,
Maria accepted a job with an American company.
She spent long days long days dreaming up brand campaigns,
and late evenings studying for her marketing degree.
Maria accepted a job with an American company.
She spent long days long days dreaming up brand campaigns,
and late evenings studying for her marketing degree.
One happy day, an envelope arrived with the news Maria had been
looking forward to for over a decade: her US greencard was approved.
looking forward to for over a decade: her US greencard was approved.
America was now wide open!
Maria quit her job, married her Dutchman Peter and moved to San Francisco to pursue her love of drawing and telling stories.
Maria quit her job, married her Dutchman Peter and moved to San Francisco to pursue her love of drawing and telling stories.
When Maria is not working on her books, she can be found riding her Dutch “Omafiets” bicycle
along the shores of the San Francisco Bay. where she lives with Peter and their son Max Pelle.
along the shores of the San Francisco Bay. where she lives with Peter and their son Max Pelle.
Maria grew up near Amsterdam,
which she loved to explore riding
on the back of her grandfather’s bicycle.
which she loved to explore riding
on the back of her grandfather’s bicycle.
She enjoyed drawing and making up stories.
When she was eight, she created her first book, filled with
drawings of places in America she hoped to visit one day.
When she was eight, she created her first book, filled with
drawings of places in America she hoped to visit one day.
That wish came true ten years later.
Maria was accepted to the Visual Communications program
at George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Maria was accepted to the Visual Communications program
at George Washington University in Washington, DC.
It was when she traveled to San Francisco
that the dream to make America her home was born.
that the dream to make America her home was born.
But Maria’s US visa had expired.
Her American Dream was put on hold. Maria returned to Holland.
Her American Dream was put on hold. Maria returned to Holland.
Determined to find her way back to San Francisco,
Maria accepted a job with an American company.
She spent long days long days dreaming up brand campaigns,
and late evenings studying for her marketing degree.
Maria accepted a job with an American company.
She spent long days long days dreaming up brand campaigns,
and late evenings studying for her marketing degree.
The hard work paid off; Maria was offered a job
in new brand innovation at the company’s head office in Atlanta.
in new brand innovation at the company’s head office in Atlanta.
One happy day, an envelope arrived with the news Maria had been
looking forward to for over a decade: her US greencard was approved.
looking forward to for over a decade: her US greencard was approved.
America was now wide open!
Maria quit her job, married her Dutchman Peter and moved to San Francisco
to pursue her love of drawing and telling stories.
Maria quit her job, married her Dutchman Peter and moved to San Francisco
to pursue her love of drawing and telling stories.
When Maria is not working on her books, she can be found riding her Dutch “Omafiets” bicycle
along the shores of the San Francisco Bay. where she lives with Peter and their son Max Pelle.
along the shores of the San Francisco Bay. where she lives with Peter and their son Max Pelle.