How is Puk?

My name is Puk de Heer, and I am a 23-year-old artist with a deep passion for classical painting, craftsmanship, and creation. For the past seven years, I have dedicated myself to studying traditional techniques of art — from decorative painting and restoration to the timeless discipline of classical oil painting.

 

My love for classical art began very early in life. When I was around five years old, I visited Paris with my family and walked into the Louvre Museum. Most children that age would probably not pay much attention to centuries-old paintings, but I remember being completely mesmerized when I stood in front of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne. It was the first time I truly connected with a classical painting. I could not stop looking at it. There was something so alive, emotional, and beautiful about it that it stayed with me forever.

 

That moment became one of my most beautiful memories and, in many ways, the beginning of my artistic journey. Even as a child, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to creating art. I wanted to learn how paintings like that were made, how artists centuries ago were able to create something that could move people so deeply. And most importantly, I knew I wanted to create that same feeling for others — to make paintings that people would treasure, remember, and emotionally connect with.

 

During the last three years, I studied at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy, where I immersed myself in the academic approach to drawing and painting. There, I trained extensively in figurative charcoal drawing, portrait drawing, and classical oil painting, learning the same foundations and techniques that the old masters used centuries ago. It is incredibly inspiring to work in a tradition that connects directly to the masterpieces we admire in museums around the world today.

 

Painting, for me, is more than a profession — it is something I truly love. I love creating, telling stories through paint, and making meaningful artworks for people. Portrait painting holds a very special place in my heart, because it allows me to capture not only a likeness, but also a feeling, a memory, and a personality. There is something magical about creating a handmade painting that becomes deeply personal to someone else.

 

Alongside creating my own work, I also love teaching and sharing the knowledge and techniques I have learned throughout my artistic journey. Art has given me so much, and I hope to continue growing, creating, and inspiring others for many years to come.

 

I am incredibly excited for everything the future will bring and for all the paintings and projects still waiting to be created.