Marjolein Bastin facts for kids
Marjolein Bastin (born in 1943) is a Dutch artist and writer. She loves nature and creates beautiful drawings of animals and plants. She also writes children's books and is famous for creating a sweet character called "Vera the Mouse."
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About Marjolein Bastin
Marjolein Bastin was born in Loenen (aan de Vecht), a town in the Netherlands. She studied art at the Academy of Arts in Arnhem. There, she met her husband, Gaston Bastin, who also became her manager.
Marjolein's father was John Henri uit den Bogaard, a teacher and photographer. Marjolein and Gaston have two children: a daughter named Sanna (born in 1973) and a son named Mischa (born in 1974). Sanna now runs a gift shop named after her mother, called "Marjolein Bastin Kadowinkel."
Marjolein and Gaston live in different places. They have homes in the Netherlands and Missouri, USA. They also have a special tropical home in the Cayman Islands.
Marjolein's Artistic Journey
After finishing her art studies, Marjolein worked for different companies. She created art for advertising and books. Soon, she was asked to draw for a popular Dutch magazine called Libelle.
In the early 1990s, a designer from Hallmark Cards saw Marjolein's art in the Netherlands. Hallmark Cards is a big company known for greeting cards. They loved her nature drawings!
Hallmark started selling products with Marjolein's art. These included greeting cards, stationery, and gifts. Her "Nature's Sketchbook by Marjolein Bastin" line became very popular. Her drawings are also used for cross-stitch patterns by Lanarte. You can even find her artwork on jigsaw puzzles made by Heye Puzzles.
Marjolein once said, "I love the familiar and ordinary." She believes that everyday nature is just as beautiful as rare things. She feels that "Nature makes us all rich." Her own garden mixes neat, trimmed plants with wild areas. This helps many different animals visit her garden.
Marjolein's Art and Books
Marjolein Bastin has created many books, especially featuring her character, Vera the Mouse.
Vera the Mouse Series
- 1985 – My Name Is Vera
- 1985 – Vera's Special Hobbies
- 1985 – Vera Dresses Up
- 1985 – Vera and her Friends
- 1986 – Vera the Mouse
- 1988 – Games With Vera
- 1988 – Vera in the Garden
- 1988 – Vera in the Kitchen
- 1988 – Vera in the Washtub
- 1991 – A Little Dog for Vera
Other Books and Art Collections
- 1991 – Nature Diary
- 1994 – Flowers A to Z
- 1994 – From My Window
- 1994 – Nature's Sketchbook
- 1995 – Gardener's Companion
- 1995 – A Walk in the Woods
- 1996 – Seasons of Friendship
- 1998 – Butterflies - Winged Miracles of Nature
- 2004 – View From a Sketchbook: Nature Through the Eyes of Marjolein Bastin (with Tovah Martin)
In 2000, Vera the Mouse even starred in her own animated movie! It was called "Vera the Mouse: Mr. Mole's Surprise."
