Born in Holland, Uko Gorter ended a seventeen year career as a professional ballet dancer in 1997. Following in his father's footsteps, he then pursued his lifelong dream of becoming an illustrator. Uko enrolled in the School of Visual Concept and the School of Realist Art in Seattle, WA. His interest in nature led him to become a natural history illustrator.

Specializing in marine mammal illustration, Uko Gorter has traveled extensively to observe whales and dolphins in their own environment. He is currently president of the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Cetacean Society and a member of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. Uko lives with his wife in Kirkland, Washington.