Ria has been drawing and painting from early childhood. Animals and birds were always her main subjects. She is mainly self taught but after getting private training became more accomplished in her techniques. She collects reference material during her study trips.

She paints wildlife, land and waterscapes but most of all she likes painting parrots. Parrots have always been an interest because of their colors and characters.

In 2009 she was granted a fellowship of the Artists for Conservation to make a study trip to Mauritius to study, render and support conservation of its endangered species with special focus on its birds.

Techniques:
- oil on canvas or panel
- watercolour on watercolour paper

Main exhibitions:
- 'Art and the Animal', SAA - US
- 'Art und Vielfalt' - Museum fur Naturkunde Magdeburg, Germany
- 'Small works, big impressions', SAA - The Wildlife Experience
- 'Birds in Art' - Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum of Art
- Galerie ‘Oog voor Natuur’, Netherlands

Memberships:
- Society of Animal artists
- Artists for Conservation

Study trips:
- Kenya
- South Africa
- Egypt
- Mexico
- U.S. several parks and states
- Svalbard (Spitsbergen)
- Ireland
- Mauritius

Born 1959, Netherlands
Resides in Amersfoort, Netherlands.

Commissions are accepted.