Biography – Ajo Oppedijk

Ajo Oppedijk (Anne-Jurjen Oppedijk, Sneek, May 14, 1984) is a Dutch painter known for his realistic still lifes in oil paint. He transforms everyday objects — eggs, lemons, coffee cups — into timeless, tangible beauty.

Youth and background

Born and raised in Sneek, Ajo enjoyed a carefree childhood where creativity played an early role. At school, he loved drawing and crafts. His grandmother, Maria Oppedijk, was also artistic — she painted in oils and created stained-glass pieces. Only years later did Ajo realize he had inherited her artistic talent.

Discovering painting

Ajo’s love for painting began with Bob Ross. As a child he watched the TV series in fascination and started painting landscapes with watercolors. In 2015 he refined his technique through courses with Edgar de Cruijer, Martin Sijbesma and Antje van der Werf.

“It fascinates me that I can turn something ordinary into something lifelike — something you could almost touch.”

Style and inspiration

Ajo’s paintings belong to the realist tradition. His subjects come from daily life: fruit, eggs, coffee cups or pastries. Beauty in simplicity and light — a subtle play of shine, shadow and depth, inspired by artists such as Tjalf Sparnaay.

Career and highlights

Since 2018, Ajo has been selling his work online. His paintings have found collectors in the Netherlands, France, Italy, Hong Kong and California. He signs his work as AJpainting.

One remarkable project was his portrait of Donald Trump (2017), which he sent to the White House. Whether it ended up in Florida or New York remains a mystery.

Collaboration with MyPainting.nl

The collaboration with Erik and Jolanda began with a search for the perfect frame and grew into a special friendship — leading to the largest private collection of AJpaintings in the Netherlands, beautifully presented at MyPainting.nl.

Vision and legacy

Ajo aims to show that everything around us can be worthy of painting — even the most ordinary piece of bread or fruit. His dream: to see his work in a museum one day, as a tribute to the beauty of simplicity.

“Sometimes I drive past the Rijksmuseum and dream that one day there will be a hall filled only with my paintings.”

Today

Ajo still combines his job as a bus driver with his passion for painting. In the evenings — often with Nat King Cole or Ella Fitzgerald playing — new ideas come to life on canvas.

📍 Exclusive works by Ajo Oppedijk are available through MyPainting.nl.

Selected works

“Lemons” — clarity and balance in color and light.

“Cups” — an ode to simplicity and morning light.

“Eggs” — a symbol of calm, silence and new beginnings.