Biography

Born in 1943 in the Netherlands, painter and visual artist Willem Labeij explores art and the surrounding world in his own way.

Willem, at an early age, started an independent life when he left home and began to lead the life of a young seaman. He later studied visual art and industrial design in Eindhoven and Maastricht. Having also been employed as a lithographer, medical artist and photographer, he has worked in a variety of other professions. After spending 20 years living abroad in countries such as Morocco, Ireland and Iceland, he once again lives in the Netherlands with his pet cat Tonton where he leads a quiet life, continually working on his art.

1943-9011

As well as doing painting, photography and graphic design on a PC, Willem breeds orchids and does bryological illustration (exploring the microscopic worlds of mosses, hornworts and liverworts) which is something that he has done for the past 30 years, in spite of his restless nature.

Perhaps best known for his excellent technique and his talent for colouring, in his painting oeuvre, Willem has also used pinhole photography since he first became fascinated by its atmospheric depth several years ago. Consciously interacting with his knowledge of art history and Dutch heritage, most of his pinhole photographs are that of still life.

Willem is currently working on a series of studies that explore the wonderful world of seashells. On the following web pages he shares with us a mere glimpse of his artistic talents in depicting his vision of the shells he has in his possession.

I am very sad to say that Willem passed away late in 2011 after a long battle with cancer. I miss him as a friend and I'm sure we will all miss his wonderful world of shell art.

Thank you for visiting my world of shell artistry.
I hope you enjoyed it and will vist frequently.
New work is added almost daily!

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Man and Mollusc

		Born in 1943 in the Netherlands, painter and visual artist Willem Labeij explores art and the surrounding world in his own way. Willem, at an early age, started an independent life when he left home and began to lead the life of a young seaman. He later studied visual art and industrial design in Eindhoven and Maastricht. Having also been employed as a lithographer, medical artist and photographer, he has worked in a variety of other professions. After spending 20 years living abroad in countries such as Morocco, Ireland and Iceland, he once again lives in the Netherlands with his pet cat Tonton where he leads a quiet life, continually working on his art.
	1943-9011
As well as doing painting, photography and graphic design on a PC, Willem breeds orchids and does bryological illustration (exploring the microscopic worlds of mosses, hornworts and liverworts) which is something that he has done for the past 30 years, in spite of his restless nature. Perhaps best known for his excellent technique and his talent for colouring, in his painting oeuvre, Willem has also used pinhole photography since he first became fascinated by its atmospheric depth several years ago. Consciously interacting with his knowledge of art history and Dutch heritage, most of his pinhole photographs are that of still life. Willem is currently working on a series of studies that explore the wonderful world of seashells. On the following web pages he shares with us a mere glimpse of his artistic talents in depicting his vision of the shells he has in his possession.
I am very sad to say that Willem passed away late in 2011 after a long battle with cancer. I miss him as a friend and I'm sure we will all miss his wonderful world of shell art.