Born to Dutch parents in secret in NSW Played with and successfully destroyed mother's oil paints from an early age Is a compulsive doodler and has the worst handwriting ever... Also can't spell. Has spent lifetime fulfilling an ideal suggested by her father at a tender age "Make your hobby or passion your work and you will always be happy"

Attended Heather Hill Primary and Secondary Colleges where she was once told to try accounting or something sensible!!!! She was accepted in to Chisholm Institute of Technology (now Monash University) to pursue a career in sculpture, most probably a knee jerk reaction to the former suggestion. Dropped out after a dismal second year to travel Europe, learn to cook and nanny. Returned to Australia and cooked in various cafes around Melbourne.

Attended Frankston Institute of TAFE and studied illustration….best move ever. Then back to Monash to study Visual Communication and has pretty much never left, both taking up contracts as a sessional lecturer and studying as a masters candidate.

There are several consistent elements that influence Von’s art, Dutch immigrant culture being perhaps the most significant. This is where she inherits the need for gezelligheid, (loosely translates as cosy, social and warm environment). Growing up with Coffee and cake, pancakes and oliebollen, accordion polkas and singing Dutchmen left a strong mark (or scar depending on how you look at it). She learned to appreciate the works of the Dutch masters and spent a massive quantity of time pouring over art and picture books in this environment.

Her work is often reminiscent of Bruegel. Not in the sense of depicting busy scenes hosting large groups of people but in a more intimate treatment, singling out the solid little figures and appreciating them for their simple, vibrant beauty.