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Born in Holland, Yoka immigrated to Canada with her family and began drawing and painting as a child without formal training, receiving her first portrait commission age twelve and continues to paint on commission. Her high school art teacher, world famous, wildlife artist Robert Bateman, encouraged her to enroll in the Ontario College of Art where she studied Material Arts, such as weaving and sculpture. Paul Duval, Canada’s renowned art critic, collector and author, became influential in the development of her early work, introducing her to a box of Windsor Newton watercolors and sable brushes. Her work evolved without any formal training. Yoka has lived and worked in Toronto, Newfoundland, Canada, London, England, as well as New York and Malibu in the United States, both as an artist and a teacher. She is also accomplished in radio, modeling and television. Yoka was honored as Miss Dutch Canada, Miss Canadian Red Cross and continues to devote her talents to charity efforts. Yoka collaborated with her former husband, writing a cookbook, which she illustrated, called “The Newfoundland Gourmet.” They gave cooking classes in their home and on television. Yoka’s extensive travel and lifelong international experiences have provided and expanded worldview, which influences and inspires her artistry. As a result, her work is coveted and appreciated by the general public as well as many exclusive private and corporate collectors. A trademark of Yoka’s artistry is sensitivity to the subject: she paints with love and light, with a unique ability to capture those special moments which are the very reason for the existence of painting and portraiture. Since moving to Westlake Village in 2002, she has been on the Boards of Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks Art Association and a member of Channel Islands Art Center. Her paintings have won many show awards. "1995 was the year I was in excruciating pain, crippled and in a wheelchair, the diagnosis was triple spinal fusion! Since birth, I had a defect in my lower back that weakened with age and stress on my 6-foot frame. Depressed and feeling defeated, I simply, yet profoundly, prayed to God. Subsequently, after many holistic attempts, I was led to a chiropractor, who uses a non-invasive technique. He told me, “You may never walk again.” I worked with my chiropractor for two years, gingerly placing my bones in alignment, and gradually, yet fearfully, I began to walk again. But the slightest wrong move would bring severe pain and yet another treatment. With fear, pain and frustration, again, I turned to God and cried, “What are You trying to tell me?” The message was clear: God had given me a talent as an artist and I was not fulfilling it. I believe God led me to Jorei healing, originating in Japan. Thn a miracle happened in my life, I was completely healed after three months! Besides being a full time healer, I have kept my commitment to paint as a self-employed artist. I paint everything for clients, from children, horses, favorite pets and family portraits, private homes, vibrant flowers, a Harley Davidson shown on the cover of “Biker Magazine.” as well as Western art paintings and celebrity portraits on Gibson guitars. One of my works is in a permanent Japanese museum collection. Copied from the website: http://www.yokasgallery.com/
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