Your work radiates an ethereal, almost otherworldly beauty. What draws you to this delicate and dreamlike aesthetic? 

I believe when people surround themselves with beauty, something shifts. They begin to feel enlightened, empowered, and deeply inspired. There’s often a stirring of the soul—a longing to remember their purpose, to live with intention, and to share their unique light with the world. My hope is that my art holds space for that transformation, and invites people to become their truest, most beautiful self. 

My work is intentionally ethereal, even otherworldly, because I see art as an invitation to step beyond the familiar and enter a space of inner transformation. To me, otherworldly represents a realm beyond our everyday perception—a poetic dimension where we can wander freely, reconnect with our essence, and imagine who we truly are without constraint. 

From a very young age, I began creating self-portraits as a way to survive. I turned to beauty as my medicine, my purifier—a source of healing and strength during difficult times. That same energy is embedded in my work today. Many of my collectors tell me they need my art not just for its visual beauty, but for how it makes them feel—to heal, to feel whole again, to experience renewal.

You blend classical portraiture with contemporary vision in a way that feels timeless yet fresh. How do you approach this fusion of past and present? 

I grew up in the Netherlands, surrounded by the legacy of the Dutch Masters and Renaissance portraiture. From an early age, I was deeply fascinated by the beauty, symbolism, and stillness captured in their work. That classical influence is ingrained in me—but I’ve always felt called to reinterpret it in a way that speaks to the present moment. 

Because I use myself in my work, I become both the subject and the creator. This allows me to step inside the image—not just to make it, but to live within it. By doing so, I seek to subvert expectations and offer a new, more empowered lens through which to view femininity and the self. The result is a kind of timeless beauty—rooted in the richness of art history, yet reimagined through a contemporary, deeply personal perspective. My intention is always to honor the past, while creating space for new narratives to emerge

Your latest collection, Infinite Orchids, evokes themes of love, resilience, and transformation. Can you share the inspiration behind these works? 

Infinite Orchids was born from my deep reverence for nature and its quiet, enduring wisdom. I’ve always found inspiration in the natural world it’s where I feel most connected to something greater, something timeless. Flowers, in particular, have held a sacred place in my heart and creative process. 

I’m especially fascinated by orchids. Around 140 million years ago, the first flower is believed to have opened to receive the sun’s rays, a moment that marked a quiet revolution on Earth. Much later, flowers began to play a profound role in the evolution of human consciousness. For the first time, we were drawn to something not for survival, but for beauty. 

That shift—valuing beauty for its own sake—awoke something deep in us. When we truly see a flower, it stirs a quiet recognition: a reminder that beauty also lives within us, at the very core of who we are. Infinite Orchids reflects that truth. Each image is an invitation to return to your essence, to rediscover your own strength, softness, and capacity to transform. Through these works, I wanted to express how love and resilience can bloom even in the most fragile forms. 

I’ve come to understand something even deeper: in a world where beauty is often misunderstood and undervalued, especially in art, creating beauty is not just an artistic choice. it’s an act of rebellion. In a world that seems to glorify hardship and negativity, I champion high aesthetics not only because it’s visually pleasing, but also because beauty is a healing force. It takes courage to care for our emotional and physical well- being, especially when the weight of the world feels overwhelming.

Your portraits seem to tell silent, powerful stories. If your art could whisper a message to those who view it, what would it say? 

When we are surrounded by beauty, it slows us down, helps us breathe, and reconnects us with meaning. Beauty isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity, a lifeline in times of crisis. That’s why I am a warrior for beauty. My art is my way of saying, ‘Yes, I see the darkness, but I choose to create light.’ Beauty invites us to step into our greatness, to remember that we are worthy of love, care, and something more. 

I’ve witnessed this transformation in my work. People tell me how my art gave them hope or inspired them to reclaim their sense of power and self-worth. Beauty has the power to heal, to elevate, and to remind us of who we truly are. It’s a quiet rebellion against despair —a choice we can all make.

To experience Isabelle van Zeijl’s work is to step into a realm where time slows, where beauty whispers its wisdom, and where art becomes a mirror to the soul. Through Infinite Orchids, she invites us to see beyond the surface—to rediscover our essence, to honor transformation, and to embrace the delicate strength that exists within us all. Her portraits do not simply adorn walls; they hold space for reflection, healing, and the quiet yet radical act of choosing beauty in a chaotic world.

Check Out All the Pieces by ISABELLE HERE