Skip to main content

Let op: de online leeromgeving is verhuisd. Klik op deze link: leren.sandragortemaker.nl - Wis je cookies als de doorverwijzing niet werkt.

I could sit here all day
If the chair where more comfortable…
Contact form

Bringing design and art together

I am a Sandra Gortemaker a mom of two boys (who are not so little anymore), wife, botanical illustrator, drawing teacher (2000) and a graphic designer (2005). After graduating at the University of Arts I started my own company. After a short break working for agencies I started working again as an independent designer in 2012 until today. My focus is on webdesign and newsletters for small brands. And now also on Surface Pattern Design.

Spending most hours behind the desktop I happily found my way back to drawing, printing and mixed media art. 

In 2019 I started a new brand named Botanical Design. I sold my cards and posters of my botanical illustrations and a weekly planner. 

Surface Pattern Designer

Since I came across professional Surface Pattern Designers I knew this was the ultimate combination of all my passions. My training as a drawing teacher and graphic designer, the workshops. All my knowledge about software, drawing and print techniques.

It was a small step to also start designing seamless patterns for textile and paper.

My inspiration comes from plants and flowers. In most workshops, flowers are my inspiration. Also in botanical illustration which I discovered in 2018. I haven’t stopped drawing since.

I’m currently building my portfolio. But I’m definitely open to collaborations with companies that want to use one or more patterns for their own products.

Botanical Illustration

Since 2018, I have been a member of the Dutch Botanical Artists Association. Through this association, I was introduced to various techniques such as watercolor, pen and ink, graphite, and colored pencil. Currently, I prefer working with Polychromos colored pencils and fineliners for looser drawings. You can find these here.

Through the association, I take teacher training courses and am a member of a drawing club that meets monthly in the Mien Ruys Gardens.

Graphic Designer

As a graphic designer, I design and build websites for female entrepreneurs, mostly coaches and sole proprietors.

I’m an expert in working with the YOOtheme PRO theme for WordPress. I’ve also designed logos and brand identities for several years, magazines, and flyers, but currently everything I do is for online use.

I offer one-on-one sessions at the office or via Zoom. I also have my own YouTube channel. I host an online learning environment with training courses for WordPress and MailChimp.

Authentic Tradition