pronounced "Kōsha”
I’m an artist and creative entrepreneur living in the Netherlands. I love drawing and I do it every day. On this website, I hope to inspire you to develop a drawing practice too, because it can make you feel good.
Photo by Rick Keus
"Encouraging, inspiring and accessible!
Koosje’s book is filled to the brim with her beautiful sketchbook pages along with ideas and approaches to make you want rush to pick up a sketchbook and pen and get started."
-Jane LaFazio, mixed media artist
Life Is Better When You Draw It is now available for you to purchase!
The book is available as print-on-demand, which means for me as a self-publishing author, that I don't need to worry about storage, handling, inventory and shipping. It also means it’s not available in bookshops. As soon as you order it online, a copy of the book will be printed and shipped to you.
My book is listed on several online retailers. However, if you’d like to support the author (me!), then please buy it through The Great British Bookshop. They ship anywhere.
Direct links to buy my book:
The Great British Bookshop
(ships anywhere)
Bookdepository.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.de
Amazon.fr
Amazon.it
Amazon.es
Amazon.se
Amazon.nl
Unfortunately, not in all territories there are active Amazon seller accounts. Examples are India, Australia and Canada.
The Great British Bookshop ships anywhere.
Some people hesitate purchasing from The Great British Book Shop, because of shipping and customs costs.
But you should know that The Great British Bookshop ships to anywhere in the world, AND you would help me getting a greater profit back per sale (which means that in time, I can hopefully cover the costs of creating the book).
For my fellow Dutch people - the book is now available at:
The American Book Center
in Amsterdam, Den Haag and Leidschendam.
You can order there online too.
Hoogstins
My personal favorite Bookshop in Amsterdam.
De Utrechtse Boekenbar
Fantastick bookshop, and they serve great coffee.
Hit the button below to find my book on The Great British Bookshop, which ships to anywhere!
*The book is available as print-on-demand, which means for me as a self-publishing author, that I don't need to worry about storage, handling, inventory and shipping. It also means it’s not available in bookshops. As soon as you order it online, a copy of the book will be printed and shipped to you.
Life Is Better When You Draw It is an illustrated book for people who love drawing, but need inspiration to do so. It is also a tribute to drawing, and a glimpse into the world through the eyes of an artist. It is about how drawing can make you happy and mindful. As your paper soaks up the ink, you clear your head and forget about time and your to-do list.
It can be hard to overcome obstacles such as perfectionism and the negative voice of your inner critic.
I’ve been there too, but through my own experiences, I have found ways to tackle these problems and will help you to have courage, be curious, and embrace flaws.
The book (which by the way is in English) doesn't contain art instruction, because what you need even more when you want to draw is motivation, permission, and encouragement. No matter the outcome, the process of drawing makes you happy, and that’s what it’s all about.
With my stories and sketchbook pages, I’ll help you pick subjects and get started quickly every day. I will show you how to “stack” habits and create a daily practice. You will build confidence as an artist and improve your skills in the process. Learn to allow yourself to play and experiment, and treat yourself to a creative flow.
My familiar mantra is: everything is interesting when you draw it. My book aims to inspire the reader to see the beauty in everyday things, and to capture it in line, shape and color.
"Life is so beautiful, and your sketchbook is an extra archive - made by yourself! - that will take you back with all of your senses. To moments, locations, people, things... everything you looked at (with pen or pencil in hand), through the eyes of a drawing artist. Koosje wants to share her love for everyday and traveling life, and her love for drawing. In this book, it sparks off on every single page."
-Sabine Wisman, artist, illustrator, mentor for creatives
"Koosje's words and art will change the way you see your world. Buy this book, and also a sketchbook to draw along!"
-Nishant Jain, SneakyArtist
"The title of this book says it all! Life really is better when you draw it, and Koosje has shared lots of ways to embrace a daily sketchbook practice. This book has so many gems and golden nuggets of wisdom, tips, inspiration, and pure joy.
It’s extra special seeing Koosje’s drawings and sketches all gathered together in this book too.
My thanks to Koosje for reminding me that my sketchbook is my best friend!”
-Salli Swindell, illustrator, co-creator of They Draw
"Koosje's book is going to show you that drawing - even if you haven't tried it since 10th grade - is something you're going to want to do every day for the rest of your life."
-Danny Gregory, author
"In this beautifully illustrated book Koosje describes her personal creative journey alongside practical tips and advice. She gives inspiring insights into creativity, and the importance of a daily sketching habit which becomes part of your everyday life. I sketch all the time, but this book reaffirms for me the life enhancing benefits of getting your pens out whenever you can."
-Ian Fennelly, artist and urban sketcher
“Koosje helps you to start your art, right from your heart.“
-Prashant Miranda, artist
“Life Is Better When You Draw It feels like sitting down to a chat over coffee with a friend (with your sketchbook in hand, of course!). The easy, inviting tone of the book takes you along on Koosje’s art-making journey while packing in art techniques and tips you can experiment with and make your own.The book is beautifully designed to showcase Koosje’s sketches, and it’s easy to be so engaged with the artwork that you barely register the most valuable gift this book offers: a pathway to building a joyful and sustainable art practice; one that you can cultivate at your own pace; one that not only reflects your life but also enhances it."
-Suhita Shirodkar, urban sketcher
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