How I Got my Name

I am often asked about my name and its origins. Saskia is an old-fashioned Dutch name meaning Saxon woman.
As an art teacher, my Mum’s favourite painter was Rembrandt, his beloved wife was a Saskia. When my mum married a Dutchman, settled in the Midlands, and had a daughter, she named me Saskia as well.
Growing up I wasn’t too fond of my name. Despite the large cultural mix, there was never another Saskia. I renamed myself many times but by my late teens I finally grew into my name. All the family visits to the Rijksmuseum and Rembrandts house in Amsterdam helped me appreciate and find some connection.
Rembrandts sketches and paintings, particularly of Saskia, still capture my interest the most. They provide insights into her personality, their relationship and their lives.
Many of his portraits are in a realistic style that capture everyday moments, like a camera might now at a time when depictions of status and wealth were much more highly valued.
Through this visual language we show our love and appreciation for the people, places and times we cherish. Much of my work is about celebrating these connections.