Welcome to Studio Dircke                      

Welcome to my website!
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Jan Dircke Smit. I live in a place called Hillegom in the Netherlands. I was born and 
raised in Hillegom. I began earning my living as a draughtsman and later I became a project manager with a direct marketing 
company. Being a draughtsman brought me first the inspiration to draw by pencil and as a draughtsman I learned to handle the 
paint brush from the well known artist Cor Hak from Haarlem. For years I did nothing with these skills other then draw purely for
my own pleasure. In 2000 I started to paint and also exhibit the results. The attention for my work is growing, more than I ever 
thought possible.
I am a self taught artist, and often find my inspiration in people, especialy the story behind their characters that made them the 
way they are. I also find inspiration in certain situations and from places I visit. I paint under the name Dircke. This name was 
given to me by my eldest son, who used to give almost everyone a nick-name. I have never really lost that name and in fact I am 
known as Dircke to many people. My work is being recognised more and more both in the Netherlands and abroad and in view of 
this I now exhibit my work on a more regular basis.
I do hope that you will enjoy my website