iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Haven't posted my comics for a while. I've been enjoying the summer. Hammock era is over, though. Open again for freelance projects. React, TypeScript, Node.js, or helping a team get the most out of AI. Let's get a coffee ☕️ #FreelanceLife #Frontend #TypeScript #Comic #OpenToWork #SeniorDeveloper

A two-panel cartoon. Left panel, captioned "What people think I look like without a project for 3 months": a stressed, sweating man slumped over a laptop at a desk, one hand on his head, with a coffee mug and phone nearby. Right panel, captioned "Me": the same man asleep in a hammock between two palm trees on a beach, snoring, while his phone buzzes in the sand ("Bzzz! Bzzz!") and his laptop lies abandoned beside it. Signed SBS '26.

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Twonks @twonks.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

That's why

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

There is always room for spaghetti 🤫

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

New cover for @historyofnl.bsky.social Louis and Ferdinand are busy stealing Naples from each other. The people who actually live in the Netherlands would like their episode back. Swamps, not spaghetti! #Naples #LouisXII #Ferdinand #Podcast #cartoon #comic #Art #digitalillustration

Cartoon podcast cover on a parchment map of Europe. Title reads “History of the Netherlands 62: We Do It Like The Italian Job.” In the foreground, Louis XII, in a blue fleur-de-lis robe, and Ferdinand of Aragon, in red with a gold chain, glare at each other over a signpost that says “NAPELS.” Behind them, in the Low Countries, angry townspeople stand in the swamp holding signs: a tulip, “SWAMPS NOT SPAGHETTI,” and a banner reading “GIVE US BACK OUR EPISODE.” Signed SBS ’26.

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Anyone going to Dutch Oldhammer in Almelo next month?

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Okay, it’s been way too long since I shared anything here again. I suck at keeping this updated 😅 Made these two Warhammer characters. #dutcholdhammer event is coming up so getting into the vibe. #cartoon #illustration #warhammer #warhammer40k #oldhammer #goblingreen #gamesworkshop

Illustration of a Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine in cobalt-blue power armour with gold trim. He has a helmet with red visor slits, a gold winged skull on the chest, and a white roaring beast-head emblem on the left shoulder. He aims a heavy bolter while standing over a fallen enemy on rocky ground, with red energy-like splashes behind him. Grey text at the top reads “THE EMPEROR PROTECTS.”

Illustration of a green-skinned goblin shaman in a tall black pointed hat with white spikes, wearing purple robes with checkered cuffs and a small skull pendant. He grins with yellow eyes and sharp teeth while holding a staff topped with a yellow crescent moon that has a screaming face. A red pointed cap and a small worm lie on the ground beside him. Text reads “Goblin green till I die!” Signed SB ’26.

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Woop! Tweede prijs bij #kamperstripspektakel striptekenwedstrijd. 🎉

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historyofnl.bsky.social @historyofnl.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

New episode! We follow Margaret of Austria as she becomes regent for her young nephew Charles, as well as responsible for raising the ducal children. Her first task, however, would be to fend off a wedding proposal and trade agreement with England... www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/his...

republicofamsterdamradio.com

Episode 60: The Working Mum — Republic of Amsterdam Radio

In March, 1507, Margaret of Austria was appointed by her father Maximilian as his procureur-général in the Low Countries, meaning she essentially took the reigns of power in those lands over from hi...

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historyofnl.bsky.social @historyofnl.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

www.patreon.com/posts/histor... The latest episode of History of the Netherlands is now available on Patreon! It will be on the regular feed later this week. Now excuse me while I melt in my apartment after winter decided to abruptly end last week followed by the middle of summer.

patreon.com

History of the Netherlands: E59: Successive Crises Amidst a Looming Succession Crisis | Republic of Amsterdam Radio

History of the Netherlands: E59: Successive Crises Amidst a Looming Succession Crisis by Republic of Amsterdam Radio on Patreon. Join Republic of Amsterdam Radio's community for exclusive content and ...

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

The second volume of the Kill Phil saga is here! Philip the Handsome meets his maker, but the death is a bit of an anticlimax. New episode of @historyofnl.bsky.social . Taking center stage: the fascinating Joanna of Castile. 👑📖 #History #Netherlands #Habsburg #Tarantino #KillBill #comic #cartoon

Comic-style podcast cover art for "History of the Netherlands 58" featuring the large title "KILL PHIL VOLUME 2". In the foreground, a stressed-looking Joanna of Castile, wearing a crown and a dark Renaissance gown, sits on the floor holding a small open book. Beside her is an open wooden coffin with only the legs of Philip the Handsome sticking out, wearing red pantaloons and brown shoes. The background is divided by sharp diagonal lines into two scenes: a blue stormy sea with a sinking galleon, and a yellow-tinted panel showing faded memories of Philip and two women.

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historyofnl.bsky.social @historyofnl.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/his... New episode! This time we look at the other death of a Handsome Phil. We look at Joanna of Castile's marriage to Habsburg Phil, the difficulties she faced in the Low Countries and the events that led to Philip (briefly) becoming King of Castile.

republicofamsterdamradio.com

Episode 58: Kill Phil Volume 2 — Republic of Amsterdam Radio

When Joanna of Castile wed Philip the Handsome aka Habsburg Phil in 1496, few people would have foreseen that this marriage would result in the Habsburg prince wearing the Castilian crown 10 years lat...

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historyofnl.bsky.social @historyofnl.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

The incredibly talented @straatemans.bsky.social has worked his magic on History of the Netherlands episode 16, the Fishy Tale of Willem Beukelszoon. As a herring, I must say he has perfectly captured my feelings about the process of gibbing. Now excuse me while I migrate and feast on zooplankton.

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Working on the @historyofnl.bsky.social cover art backlog. Episode 16, the Fishy Tale of Willem Beukelszoon.  Those poor herrings. Getting gibbed without mercy. I do feel sorry for them.  #History #Netherlands #Podcast #Art #comic #cartoon #herring

a mother and child herring looking on while dad herring is getting gibbed by Willem Beukelszoon

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

New cover for @historyofnl.bsky.social : “Kill Phil – Volume 1” #Tarantino tribute, obviously So focused on mourning bride Margaret of Austria: furious her dad & brother tried marrying her off again after Phil passed. She refused like the queen she was 💪 #History #Podcast #KillBill #Art #Comic

New cover for History of the Netherlands podcast: “Kill Phil – Volume 1”
(Tarantino tribute, obviously 😏)
Real Phil (Philibert II of Savoy) died quietly—not revenge-movie style. Less dramatic, better for him!
So focused on mourning bride Margaret of Austria: furious her dad & brother tried marrying her off again after Phil passed. She'd had enough—refused like the queen she was 💪
#History #Netherlands #Habsburg #Podcast #MargaretOfAustria #Tarantino #KillBill #Art #Comic

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Reposted by Steven Straatemans

historyofnl.bsky.social @historyofnl.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Episode 57 of History of the Netherlands is now available to all the absolute legends who support us on Patreon. Join up now and get access to it! www.patreon.com/posts/histor...

patreon.com

History of the Netherlands: E57: Kill Phil Volume 1 | Republic of Amsterdam Radio

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Lars @webpro.nl · 20/03/2026

✂️ Knip v6 is out It's finally here, and your favorite slop fighter is already speedier than expected! Can't wait to see y'all tidying up bigger codebases, faster 🚀 Blogpost + release notes: knip.dev/blog/knip-v6 Knip: knip.dev

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

😂 True story — I actually did the exact spit-take you see in the comic. Coffee went everywhere.

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

☕ That moment when a simple coffee chat turns into a full-blown existential crisis... “Senior Developer” hits different now… Who else got brutally reminded they’re old at work? Drop your story! 👇 #DeveloperLife #WorkHumor #SeniorDeveloper #cartoon #comic

Panel 1: Steven and young colleague standing at the coffee machine.
Colleague asks: You’ve worked here along time now, right? Steven: “Oh yeah…ages!” Colleague: “What is your age?”
Steven: “Forty-eight”  Panel 2: Colleague: “Really?! So is my mother” And he zips his coffee. Happy with his burn!
Steven spits out his coffee in surprise and disbelief that he is getting old.

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Twonks @twonks.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

He's got no chance

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

love it..life goals to get my art like this

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

The cartoon feels less like satire and more like my Monday morning. If you're in the 90%+ AI zone too, what's one thing you still insist on doing manually? Or, if not, what's holding you back?

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Is manual coding becoming obsolete? Now it's about directing #AI, crafting strategies, refining prompts, assessing results, and learning from mistakes. Will coding by hand become a nostalgic craft, like sourdough baking, as we embrace AI-generated systems? Share your thoughts! #comic #frontenddev

The year is 2030. A man and woman walk towards a Brocante market. An old lady sells her products.

A man sells his local produce, while a man and little boy walk by. The boy points to something in the next panel “...Delicious foods…”

Panel 3: A lady sells her own created stones (A sign says “Homemade rocks”) and Dreamcatchers. Next to her sits Steven. He sells handwritten typescript code. No use of AI. Artisan code. He has a laptop, extra screen, a satellite dish and a mega large Vegas style sign saying “Artisan code” “...and traditional artisans!”

Panel 1: The year is 2030. A man and woman walk towards a Brocante market. An old lady sells her products. Woman says: “I love brocante markets!” “All those quirky products you can find…”  Panel 2:  A man sells his local produce, while a man and little boy walk by. The boy points to something in the next panel “...Delicious foods…”  Panel 3: A lady sells her own created stones (A sign says “Homemade rocks”) and Dreamcatchers. Next to her sits Steven. He sells handwritten typescript code. No use of AI. Artisan code. He has a laptop, extra screen, a satellite dish and a mega large Vegas style sign saying “Artisan code” “...and traditional artisans!”

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

yeah it was fun. we started with a trafficlight and have that working. then 2 than a complete crossing with pedestrian lights. add actual cars and pedestrians. add bikes. etc students went all out

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Me and colleague ran a front-end workshop, #HTML, #CSS, #Typescript, #react, the works. This time we spiced it up: started with AI-in-the-workplace chat, then ended with fun “vibe coding” experiments (hilarious results guaranteed) #Frontend #WebDev #CodingLife #DeveloperHumor #comics #cartoons #AI

panel 1: Splash screen: “Frontend with Albert and Steven” 
panel 2: Steven is teaching and writing on a board. “In today’s class, we are going to create a fully functional traffic light in typescript, but remember do not use AI!” 
panel 3: before Steven can finish his sentence everybody in the classroom is done with the assignment, because of course they used AI

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Just back from an epic ski trip: bluebird days, perfect snow, endless laughs, and stories staying off the record. ☀️❄️🏂 Disclaimer for managers/spouses/parents: The comic was made before the trip. Any resemblance to real events is 100% coincidental 😏 #FreelanceLife #DigitalNomad #RemoteWork

Panel 1
Steven and his buddies on a ski trip:
"Being freelance means having time for a ski trip with your mates."
A ping from his phone shows a high-prio bug.
Panel 2
Steven in the ski lift with his laptop on his lap. His friend is calling him an idiot.
Another bug is coming in.
Panel 3
His friends are partying in the background while Steven is on his phone, talking about the server being down.
Panel 4
Steven has crashed on his skis while being on the phone:
"All pipelines are green!"
Steven has his thumb up.
But another ping is coming in, and his friend is not impressed—he calls Steven an idiot again.

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Freelance freedom: work anywhere, more family time… but bugs tag along. That 500 error? Followed me all weekend, nearly hijacked game night. Devs/parents: how do you actually log off? 🎲🛡️ #WorkLifeBalance #DnD #devlife

panel 1: a 500 error screen in the dark. someone says: "We want to fix the error". Someone else says: "Lets just destroy it!"

panel 2: Someone says: "Roll a D20 for an intelligence check"

panel 3: we now see a dwarf and an elf before a laptop. Elf says: "What the hell?" and looks around. The dwarf repeats: "Let's just destroy it!"

panel 4: we see Steven and his daughters playing a Dungeon and Dragons session. One of the girls roles a dice. The other comlains: "Daahad! This is the lamest Dungeon and Dragons session ever"

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Today is #LEGODay  If everybody says that frontend development is the same as legos, Can I just drop the work and play with lego today? Who's snapping bricks (digital or plastic)?  #WebDev #Frontend #FreelanceLife

panel 1: Steven is a lego minifig. Is sitting behind his lego laptop. and says: “Yes! Last bug fixed. Lego Build party, here I come”  panel 2: Nicole walks in (also a minifig). With a lego coffee. and says: “Snacks and Dinks! How is that work-life balance going?”  panel 3: Steven minifig jumps up. And screams the lego movie slogan “Everything is awesome” than a ping: a new bug just came into the mailbox  panel 4: Steven minifig is again behind his laptop and says: “Just one more bug..” Another ping and a new bug comes in. Steven says: “...Two more bugs”

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Freelancers: Recruiter calls about an enthusiastic client → Instant high. Then… days of radio silence. Brain goes: "Never getting another gig. Ever." Curl-up-in-a-ball despair. But those waits hit HARD. Sound familiar or am I just an idiot? 😅 #FreelanceLife #Recruiters #Comic #FreelanceDeveloper

panel 1: Steven talks to the viewer: "When working with a recruiter, there are 2 types of feelings" panel 2: Steven jumping through a meadow. being happy. text "When the recruiter just called"
Panel 3: Steven crying in the corner. "When they do not call for 2 days"

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Love #freelance & #WFH: deep focus, flexible schedule, quick workouts, more family time. But solo home office gets lonely So 2–3×/week I escape to de Koffiemolen for killer coffee & great vibes. They're renovating now… already missing that morning ☕ fix! #FreelanceLife #RemoteWork #cartoon #comic

Panel 1: Steven overslept. Still sleeping at 09:30 AM text: “When I forget to start my day…”

Panel 2:
Steven is in the kitchen trying to make coffee.
Text: “…and I’m out of coffee…”

Panel 3:
Steven walks down the street Steven says: “I’ll go and work at my favorite coffeebar”

Panel 4: Arriving at the coffeebar, he sees that it is closed for renovation. Steven screams: “NOOOooooo!”

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Monday was the first day I went to my new client. For the first time in ages, I commuted by train and worked in an office. The weather decided to make the day memorable by throwing snow and ice at us! ❄️  #cartoon #comics #freelancelife #frontend #developer #commute #snow #dutchweather #sneeuw

Steven sitting behind his desk. says: "For years I worked from home, but with this new project..."Next panel: The alarm goes at 6AM. the alarms screams and steven wakes upNext panel: The train commute in an overcrowded trainNext panel: Steven standing for the actual office where he was travelling toLast panel:Old Steven saying "It's been 84 years"refferencing the titanic meme.

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

I created a small comic for HalloBabysitter.de They are celebrating that Robert is joining the company. And what better way to celebrate a new step like that with a comic.  Good luck Robert on your new adventure. #WelcomeAboard #NewTeamMember #TeamHallo #webcomics #cartoonart

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

I’ve never been big on New Year’s resolutions, but something about 2026 genuinely feels like a clean slate. Now that I stepped into full-time freelance development.  Here’s to hoping #2026 brings more code that ships more comics of random developer stories.  #Illustration #Comics #NewBeginnings

Steven sitting behind his desk. writing down his new years resolutions.
The clock is ticking down to the new year.

When the clock strikes 12, steven rips up the new years resolutions. "Done with those"
I dont do new year resolutions

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Happy holidays, everyone! Every year my daughters and I design it together — they demand to be on it, but veto anything too sugary.  So we spend all Summer scheming ways they can get every single present from Santa themselves. Classic.   #cartoon #comic #familytime #christmas #christmascard

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

All by myself... 🎶 [Celine Dion vibes] As a freelancer, I'm my own team most days. But last week? Epic dinner with former #colleagues Solo gig, but blessed with amazing work #friends who still make time to catch up. ❤️ #freelancer #freelancelife #frontenddeveloper#dinnerwithfriends #comic

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

I’m going full freelance! First project kicks off next Monday, how cool is that?! 🎉 Huge thanks to everyone who helped me the past weeks. You’re amazing ❤️ Need a frontend/TypeScript dev? DMs are open, let’s talk! #cartoon #comic #freelancer #frontend #typescript #freelancelife

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Loosing your job is one thing. But having to tell your family is next level. Let’s just say, reactions vary from person to person.  #cartoon #jobhunting #comic #layoff #family

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

My employer went out of business last month. 😢 Using the time for side projects, studying… and a new path: drawing gag comics! Turning the job-hunt misery into 3-4 panel stories. #cartoon #jobhunt #comic #layoff

Found myself with a lot of spare time after my employer stopped their activities last month. Trying to stay in the working rhythm, I study and do some techie side projects I never made time for, which I enjoy a lot.  But it also gave me extra time to explore one of my other passions. And that is drawing cartoons. Normally I draw one panel cartoons, but I always wanted to try out creating gag comics. Like 3 or 4 panels.  So what better way to get over the layoff pain than to write/draw about it with gags? The job-hunt is a great subject to experiment with.  Not saying this will be a weekly comic, but let’s see what happens.  #cartoon #jobhunt #layoff

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

A new @historyofnl.bsky.social art.  In the 15th century, while most of Europe was tightening the grip of feudal lords, the Frisians were out here living their best “no lord but the Emperor” life. ✊ …and how it ended. A follow-up to Episode 15 👀 #cartoon #history #characterillustration #15thcentury

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historyofnl.bsky.social @historyofnl.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/his... New episode! We delve into Frisian Law and Frisian Freedom and how they developed in the 15th century. We then look at how conditions changed until in 1498 Frisian Freedom was stamped out by the very Emperor who was supposed to uphold it.

republicofamsterdamradio.com

Episode 55: Full-on Frisian Foray: Freedom & Foreign Frenemies in the 15th Century — Republic of Amsterdam Radio

Over the fifty-four episodes of this podcast so far, we have often found ourselves fixated on familiar fields of sphagnum, or ferocious fights in far flung foreign fields, but frequently we’ve failed ...

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

yesss..good news! looking forward to it people

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

8th of October 1573 is the day that the city of Alkmaar defeated the Spanish army in the #80yearswar. My cartoon shows Sept 18: Kitman’s heroic strike on the Spanish standard-bearer saved the day! 💪 #AlkmaarOntzet #Kitman #1573 #History #ThisDayInHistory #TodayInHistory #OnThisDay

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

I thought I would do a quick drawing for the 8th of October (#alkmaar victory 1573) But it became a big sketch.  It’s about the storming of the walls by the Spanish on the 18th of September #1573 Hope to get it done before the 8th. 🤞🏻 #80jarigeoorlog #tachtigjarigeoorlog #80yearswar #8oktober

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

The Spaniards are coming! Hopefully a new project 🤞🏻 but at least it is good practice for the 500 episodes about the 80 years war with @historyofnl.bsky.social 😅 #80jarigeoorlog #1573 #tachtigjarigeoorlog #80yearswar #8oktober #alkmaarontzet #vierdevictorie #alkmaar #alkmaarsontzet

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

oeww nice. such an interesting period. thanks people

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Steven Straatemans @straatemans.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

The team portrait series draws its blade... ⚔️ Meet our code poet—where logic meets lyric, and every line strikes true. A warrior of syntax. #CreativePortraits #TeamIllustration #CodePoet #HistoricalGlowUp #PortraitSeries #illustration

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