Photo Isabeau Photography

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

 

Cecile Reijnders, is an illustrator and artist. Raised in Driebergen by creative parents from the southern region of The Netherlands, Limburg. Cecile is pure, gentle, and powerful. What she feels, she transforms into images and colors, allowing you to reconnect with your own strength and energy—and to experience peace in simply being. 

 

She is known for the beautiful illustrations in "Verraad mij niet" ("Don't Betray Me") by Melinda Braaksma, published in both Dutch and English. Through her illustrations, she brings a soul to the story. 

 

Cecile is also known from the Dutch Illustration Podcast hosted by Irene Cecile – not just any illustration podcast! She has been featured as a guest artist on the website of The Dutch Artbox, and has exhibited her colorful birdcollection multiple times. Birds play a significant role in her work—Vultures, the kings of the sky, and Herons that remind you of your own intuitive power. They encourage you to follow your own path. 

 

In recent years, she has undergone a profound transformation. “Where she once approached her work from a cognitive and analytical perspective—creating infographics and business illustrations—she now works from her deep sensitivity and energy, following a period of coaching and the transformative influence of Reiki.” Her work is diverse in expression, yet unmistakably carries her unique style and vibrant use of color. Her art is strikingly clear. 

 

When she moves her hands across the canvas, she senses the emotions of the people she draws and paints for. "She has the ability to see beyond the surface." —just like the birds she brings to life in her work. 

 

Now, with two Reiki initiations among other things, she deeply feels her connection to both the universe and the earth. She channels this energy through her hands, drawings, and colors—directly to you. 

 

Her birds remind you of your own strength and power. 
They give you wings—so you can fly on your own! 

'YOU HAVE BROUGHT MY STORY TO LIFE’

Melinda Braaksma

get to know me better ...

CAMPING, OUR GARDEN, MOUNTAINS, BALANCE, PHOTOGRAPHY, BOULDERING, REIKI, HOME RENOVATION

resume

Cecile Reijnders IllustratiON

2015-present

 

CLIENTS

Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat) | Municipality of Vijfheerenlanden | Alleato | Trage Post | @Kunstlint | Bling Dayz | Diakonessenhuis | Straatnieuws | Neel and Minne | Lin Videomarketing | Edit Value | Private Clients

 

education

2006-2007 Preparatory Education, Utrecht School of the Arts, The Netherlands

2008-2012 Product Design, Utrecht School of the Arts, The Netherlands

1998-2003 Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

 

course

2024 Artist Business Blueprint, Dutch Art Box

2024 Reiki 2nd Degree

2024 Reiki 1st Degree

2022 Animation After Effects

2021 Video Business School, Zarayda Groenhart

2020 PR Training for Illustrators, Monique van der Vlist

2017 Advanced Photography

2016 Basic Photography

2012 Botanical Painting with Watercolors

2005 Basic Painting Course, Utrecht University

2004 Portrait Drawing, Utrecht University

 

 

 

 

 

exhibition

2024 Galerie onder de Linden,THE BIRDCOLLECTION, Tholen

2024 Picallilly Catering, THE BIRDCOLLECTION Utrecht

2023 Atelier route Utrecht

2018 Public Library Vleuterweide

2018 Atelier route Utrecht

2018-2022 @Kunstlint, various exhibitions

2016 Atelier route Utrecht

2012 Atelier route Driebergen

2010 HEMA Design Competition, Public Library of Amsterdam

 

publication

EXPECTED Illustrated Youth Book: Verraad mij niet – Het geheim van Amsterdam (Don't Betray Me – The Secret of Amsterdam), written by Melinda Braaksma, illustrated by Cecile Reijnders designed by Dafne Arlman.

 

2025 Leidsche Rijn Magazine Verraad mij niet (Don't Betray Me), giveaway campaign.

2025 Artist Talk and Book Presentation: Verraad mij niet (Don't Betray Me), in Amsterdam.

2025 Illustrated Youth Book: Verraad mij niet – Het geheim van Amsterdam (Don't Betray Me – The Secret of Amsterdam), written by Melinda Braaksma, illustrated by Cecile Reijnders, designed by Dafne Arlman.

2025 Local TV broadcast "U in de Wijk" Verraad mij niet (Don't Betray Me), a book by Melinda Braaksma.

2025 Purmerend Daily Newspaper Purmerender geëerd met boek over zijn jeugd tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog (Purmerend resident honored with a book about his youth during World War II).

2024 Utrecht Daily Newspaper – Youth book Verraad mij niet – Het geheim van Amsterdam (Don't Betray Me – The Secret of Amsterdam).

2023 Local TV broadcast "U in de Wijk" – Kunstenaar in beeld (Artist in Focus).

2023 Local TV broadcast "U in de Wijk" – Atelierroute Leidsche Rijn, 9 september (Leidsche Rijn Studio Tour, September 9).

2022 Guest on "De Nederlandse Illustratie Podcast" – Irene Cecile (The Dutch Illustration Podcast).

2020–2022 Local newspaper – various publications on activities by @Kunstlint

 

Interested in collaborating?

I’m always interested in new partnerships and inspiring projects. Would you like to learn more or have an informal introduction? Please feel free to get in touch—preferably via a direct message on instagram or by email. We can discuss everything over a  virtual coffee. I’d love to hear from you!