Yasja 2025 2 kopie

Yasja Ligtelijn (1991, Amsterdam) is a mural artist and illustrator. She grew up on a houseboat and moved at the age of twelve to a half-timbered farmhouse in the hilly region of South Limburg. The contrasts between city and nature, water and hills, and between the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany still serve as an important source of inspiration for her work.
After secondary school, Yasja pursued an artistic education in Belgium. She then graduated as an Illustrative Designer from the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts. In 2017, she founded Studio Yasja, where she has since worked full-time as an independent artist.

Yasja creates murals, paintings, illustrations, and participatory art projects both in the Netherlands and abroad. Her work can be found in schools, public spaces, businesses, healthcare institutions, hospitality venues, and private homes. She often actively involves children, residents, or other target groups in the design process, so that art not only beautifies a space but also connects people with one another.

Her work is characterized by the combination of nature, people, and story. Landscapes, flora, and fauna often merge with portraits and symbolism. Her style moves between realism and imagination and has a recognizable atmosphere that can be mysterious, dreamy, lively, and tranquil at the same time. 

In addition to commissioned work, Yasja creates personal pieces in which she explores new techniques, themes, and materials. This artistic curiosity is a major driving force in her practice and ensures that her work continues to evolve.

When she is not painting or designing, Yasja prefers to be outdoors. Mountain biking, climbing, skating, and hiking give her new energy and inspiration. It is often in nature that the first ideas for new murals, illustrations, and art projects arise.