in progress (november 2009)

in progress (november 2009)
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

120x120cm (47x47 inch) 425 g/sm paper
developing another salty scape, tidal area with samphire plants (zeekraal) turning red this time of year.

Samphire September (zeekraal)

mixed media on 56x76 cm (22x30 inch) on 425 g/sm Sanders Waterford aquarel paper.
Autumn breaks on the seaside, tidal landscapes and migrating birds.

Tidal Scape

mixed media on 56x76 cm (22x30 inch) on 425 g/sm Sanders Waterford aquarel paper.

Cocktails at the Pond #11

mixed media on 56x76 cm (22x30 inch) on 425 g/sm Sanders Waterford aquarel paper.

Cocktails at the Pond #10

mixed media on 56x76 cm (22x30 inch) on 425 g/sm Sanders Waterford aquarel paper.

Cocktails at the Pond #9

mixed media on 56x76 cm (22x30 inch) on 325 g/sm Sanders Waterford aquarel paper.

Cocktails at the Pond #8

mixed media on 56x76 cm (22x30 inch) on 325 g/sm Sanders Waterford aquarelpaper

Walks #5 (bramble bush in the middle of the fields)

Walks #5 (bramble bush in the middle of the fields)
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

this guy really liked the plumb juicy berries, Devon September 2009
acrylics on 76x56 cm (30x22inch) Sanders Waterford 325 g/sm aquarel paper

Walks #4 (Autumnal Haze, Kensington Gardens,London. September 2009)

Mixed media on 450 g/sm Khadi paper 94x134 cm (37x53 inch)
Almost exploding light particles that morning.
These are a kind of an "underskirt" of the tree.
The squirrels are stashing already up for winter.

Walks #3 (the BBC's last night of the Proms 2009, Hyde Park, London.

Walks #3 (the BBC's last night of the Proms 2009, Hyde Park, London. September 12 th, 2009.
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

The whole park was filled with anticipation that day. I tried to capture that.
The parks are opposite our house. I walk there every day.
Mixed media on very heavy Khadi paper 94x134 cm (37x53 inch)

painter's toes :)

painter's toes :)
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

these toes are going for a walk in Cornwall for the next few days

Walks #2

Walks #2
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

a series of works on this very rough and heavy special paper of plants, birds,landscapes I encounter during my walks and are worthwhile giving it some paintingtime. It's a way of starting up this painting season for me after a very long and pleasant summer break. I'll just paint what sparks my interest (love) for now

In a way I feel comfortable starting out with some more realistic images, there is more to hold on to I guess and a natural way to pick up the flow of the brush again.
These Common Moorhens are painted on very heavy Khadi paper 94x134 cm (37x53 inch) with acrylic paint.

Autumn September walks

Autumn September walks
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

mixed media on heavy Khadi paper
94x134 cm (37x53 inch)
Part of a series of works on this special paper (very rough and heavy) of plants, birds,landscapes etc.. I encounter during my walks this month and are worthwhile giving it some painting time and thoughts.

In progress another exploration into ponds May 12th

Sometimes I just loose myself in the initial movements on a piece of paper, it feels like writing.. I want to tell the whole story. I kept it light luckily.. all options are still open, that's necessary to proceed.
Some acrylics on 120x150 cm paper.

Cocktails at the Pond #7

mixed media on 120x150 cm (4x5ft) paper.
a further exploration into pond life
Enormous energy is beaming from it.


and a shot up close to get a feel for the paint application

Progress April 22nd

Progress April 22nd
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

120x150(4x5ft) Mixed media on paper. Another one of the pond explorations. Will start working on it again tomorrow

Cocktails at the Pond #6

acrylics, oils, oil bars and caran d'ache neo colors on paper, 120x150 cm (4x5ft) another one in this series. Have the feeling I kind of get close to the subject matter, the closer I get the more possibillities surface.

Hay fever should be forbidden!

I even didn't feel like painting today ......

in progress pic April 14 th

in progress pic April 14 th
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

another one in the pond series...
120x150 cm (4x5 ft) gessoed paper

Cocktails at the Pond #5

acrylics and oils on gessoed paper.
120x150 cm (4x5ft)
This one turned out somewhat more painterly then expected

Cocktails at the Pond #5 ( end of the day April 6th)

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oils and acrylics on paper , 120x150 cm (4x5ft) , I have to look at it tomorrow to see if something stilll has to be done

Cocktails at the Pond # 4

120x150 cm (4x5 ft) acrylics and oils on paper

status Tuesdaymorning- in progress

status Tuesdaymorning- in progress
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

120x150 cm (4x5ft) heavy paper , so far only acrylic paints have been used.
Have been working on it on and off over the weekend, still exploring the cocktails at the pond theme.

Iris Dusk

Iris Dusk
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

120x130 cm (48x51 inch)
acrylics on paper

In progress - Irises on paper

in progress - Irises on paper
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

This is the last piece of paper of the big (10 metres) roll, and is not big enough to fit the pond series. That's why I decided to flll it all up with some gorgeous Irises, it's always a delight to fiddle around with them. It's all acrylics on paper so far.

Bought already another new roll of paper in a big art supply warehouse in East London (Atlantis).. excellent shop.

Cocktails at the Pond #3

Cocktails at the Pond #3
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

120x150 (4x5ft)
mixed media on paper

another both warped perspective
and introspective on pond life

March 16 th

March 16 th
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

120x150 cm (4x5ft) mixed media heavy paper on studiowall.

it's probably going to be another Cocktails at the Pond (#3).
I've worked with this very image-concept already on several paintings and it still
gives me room to explore further

Turning Into Spring

Turning Into Spring
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

mixed media on heavy paper
120x 150 cm (4ft x 5ft)

Status :Late Friday afternoon, March 6th -in progress

status :Late Friday afternoon, March 6th -in progress
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

This one is still in progress, so far only acrylic paint. Very pre-verbal.

Moonshadow

Moonshadow
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

Moonshadow on studiowall
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

mixed media on heavy paper
120 x 150 cm (4x5 ft)

progress March 2nd 2009

progress March 2nd 2009
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

Very mixed media on 300 gsm heavy paper, been listening to Cat Stevens all day.
Too dark to take a decent pic.

Fresh Start

Fresh Start
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

acrylics on heavy paper
120x150 cm (4x5ft)

time for beginnings

in progress pond on paper

in progress pond on paper
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

So far only acrylics on 120x 150 cm (4x5ft) heavy paper.
Trying to keep the colors simple looking , although there is a huge variety of greens already applied.

will look at this one tomorrow morning, too dark now.
(seems I was in paint-drawing-mood today)

Summer 06 Pacific Rim

Summer 06 Pacific Rim
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

mixed media on heavy paper (300 gsm)
120x150 cm 4ft x 5ft

Vancouver island Ucluelet, Broken Islands
Would love to be there right now, always actually

Late Summer Evening

Summer Evening
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

mixed media on paper(300gsm)
120x150 4 ft x5 ft

New Day

New Day
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

120x150 cm (4x5ft)
mixed media on fabiano paper

Working on paper Febr 2009

Working on paper Febr 2009
Originally uploaded by carolinepaintings

Beating the lack of daylight these days by some blue daylight lamps.
The start of another work on paper (120x150 cm) 4x5ft

Working on Paper

Gessoed Fabiano paper
120x150 cm(4x5ft)

Dance

180x120 cm (6 ft x 4 ft)
oil on two canvases

The festive mood that emphasizes all that is going on in a pond's small habitat. I like to make luscious oil paintings and combine figuration and abstraction. As a starting point for a painting I use a realistic image until the imagination takes over, and the story is told in abstract chapters in my own words. The possibility of Dance within a pond’s world might be very real, as it can also be looked upon as metaphor for happenings in real life.

Work in Progress

another "pond inspired" painting in the works (180x120), these bl/wh pics help to
determine the flow of a painting and create some decision possibilities. I am always
amazed how much distance a pic on a computerscreen can create, thus enabling me to look
at it with "fresh eyes"

Cocktails at the Pond #2

oils on linen 120x120 cm

Some progress on paintings

Oil sketching on mylar

Making some sketches to work out some ideas on landscape paintings. oil on mylar

prepped some canvases and nailed them together

Hyde Park Rats

oil on canvas 120x120 cm (48x48inch)

Starting to paint in London... progress on Hyde Park Rats

Getting into the hang of painting again, easier to start out with a more or less
realistic one. It's still in progress. Hyde Park Rats , oil on canvas 120x120 cm (48x48inch)
I did not happen to find the perfect studio/atelier yet (at an affordable price), that's why I did set up shop in this room in the house.

Restart of this blog & moving to London

As you can see I've abandoned this blog for more than a year now because of all the bombardments with spam and subsequently unrelated comments etc..
Looks like that has calmed down now. As soon as I am done unpacking here in London I'll
restart the blog.

The last year has been a great succes and I was invited to participate
in some great expositions, sales were great as was the enthousiasm of the buyers. Some of the works purchased are now part of corporate collections.( all the events I participated in are mentioned on my website)

Am looking for a studio c/q artist space in the area where we are living now that is the
Kensington/Chelsea area. So.... if anyone can help this search...welcome!

Sundaymorning-walk in the Hague

6x2.6ft (180x80cm) acrylics on canvas
(press image to enlarge)

City life kicking in...

City life is intruding in the subject of my paintings, the greys of the city have been invading my palette lately.
Just been busy with getting my thoughts on life in the city on paper, finding new inspiration
A startof a painting on this subject, this will develop further, some stuff will disappear other things will appear

6x2.6ft (180x80cm) acylics on canvas

Queen's Day

mixed media on three canvas panels
80x90cm 32x36 inch

Having this very dutch National day on my mind (April 30th)... how Dutch can you get?... a sparrow celebrating

press for the pics to pop up

Urban Totem

Acrylics on canvas (3 panels)
2.6x6ft (80x180cm)
not sure if finished
I wil come back to it next week

City Slicker

Acrylics on canvas (two panels)
44x32 inch (140x80cm)
I am interested in the similarities in dwellings in the city of birds and humans, the eldest found dutch sentence " Hebban Olla Uogala nestas beginnan hinase hic enda thu" was also flying by my brain while painting this .
I will be coming back to this idea .

Ode aan de Mus #1 #2 #3

These are paintings I have been wanting to paint for a while now. I realy miss seeing the sparrow in abundance.They are slowly disappearing. The paintings will be on display in the jubilee exposition at the Irok gallery in Horst in the beginning of May.
Acrylics on canvas
100x100cm (40x40 inch)
60x60cm (24x24inch)
60x60cm (24x24inch)

Waiter !

I did change the "Ode aan de Mus" painting of a few post ago, I added a panel and let my imagiantion go free. To me it has the feel of sitting on a terrace at the Florencia ijssalon here in the Hague.
Acrylics on canvas (three panels)
120x120cm 47x47inch

Billboards in the city.....

Allways dreamt of this and now it has happened.....
a poster of my exhibit on one of the oldest billboards in the Netherlands,
there is a special Easter weekend event in the gallery.

A walk-through of the BUITEN exhibition

This production is made by Maartje, my youngest daughter.

Ode aan de Mus

Acrylic on a pair of canvases
32x48 inch (80x120cm) two canvases
'Ode aan de Mus' 'Ode(tribute) to the common Sparrow'
This little bird is slowly disappearing out of our daily life,
it is not a very spectacular bird, I always enjoy seeing them around, especially
when they are taking these dusty mud baths in the heath of the summer.

Could very well be finished... don't think so....feels more like an add and communicates perfectly that way.think i will work some more on this one

Florida Fauna

Two canvases Each 2.6x6 ft (each 80x180cm) Acrylics and some bits of goldleaf. (lol actually six canvases)

Invitation for my new Solo Show (March 2nd-April 14th)

I'm a Taurus

(click the pictures to enlarge)
6.5x3.5 ft (2x1 meter) oil and acrylic on canvas

Six panels 16x16inch (40x40cm)

I really like to present them as a set, would be interesting to do that with big paintings as well.

Back to Work

Fusion Series available at IROK, Horst

As of today the Fusion Series ,consisting of eight paintings created with Asian design on mind is available at IROK gallery in Horst, the Netherlands.

Progress of an Experiment

Six woodpanels, each 16x16 inch (40x40cm).
Applied three layers of gesso.
Having six images as a starting point..... like a parc, waterlilies, blossomtrees, field with
autumn blueberry bushes etc....
Quick painting (almost automatic) with acrylic paints....
Nice starting point I quess
Will take it from there...

Apricots Revisited and Simplified

oil and goldleaf on woodpanel 12x12 inch (30x30cm)
just revisiting an older work

Some final changes

Added a small canvas to Simply Ranunculus
much happier with it now

My Painting Wall

After a series of paintings it is time to clean up my painting wall,
it's always interesting to see what little creatures have developed on their own.

Spring Shower

oil on linen
40x40 inch (100x100cm)

It's not completely finished yet. Well.... this canvas is ..but
I will place a small canvas to the left of this painting 30x100 cm
in one solid color to balance out

Will do the same for the "Simply Ranunculus" painting

Daffodil Vases

oil on linen
40x40 inch(100x100cm)

Progress of Two 40x40 inch Spring Canvases

Am working on two canvases , each 40x40 inch (100x100cm)
I need some color these days, that's why the two spring flowers:
the daffodil and a branch with blossoms.
Loosely setting up a somewhat realistic startingpoint and from there on
letting it go. Have developed the Daffoddil some more over the last few days,
it's strong colorswise, too strong too my taste .. am more interested in some more subtleties. It is pretty well balanced already despite the dark blues on the right side, will see what happens from there.
The blossom branch is at the moment just a play between the dark red /pink and the light emerald green and pinks, some fresh greens are introduced already. Will see which direction it will move to.

Happy New Year !!!

Wishing everyone a superb New Year with lots of love,friendship,health and inspiration!
I fine-tuned this painting just a bit more and it's hanging in the kitchen now to dry and being analyzed to pieces during meal time.

What Spring is like on Jupiter and Mars

back to my kinda blue... worked till late last night

Spring is in the Air ....edit

Looked at it for a day... it's a fun piece
It's working.. the palette...I mean like some of those multicolored
Peruvian blankets are working.
There is a background and the rest can play.
Normally everything is more integrated in my work.Everyone plays.
That's why I will revisit this one... will keep bright coloring
though.

Spring is in the Air

I know , I know... I had to paint the brightest and strongest palette I could come up with, this time of year ... I needed some upbeat painting.
The grey purple blue is allowing the other colors to dance.
If you walk in a room this painting makes a very fresh statement for sure.
Always have the feeling if I completely let go whilst painting... letting emotion
be the director.... my Dutch roots show.... far far away I see hints of Cobra (Appel, Corneille, Constant etc)....

Oil on Linen
4ftx4ft (120x120cm)

Red Copper (diptych) (fusion series)

Oilpaint and copperleaf on 2 canvases, each 32x16inch, total 32x32inch

WIP's from the dark ages

Have almost finished another fusion painting (leaning against the wall) and am working on a 4ftx4ft big one.
Still having ponds on my mind , further de-constructing them.....

Worked this weekend carefully on cutting mats(passe-partouts) for some works on paper, very precise and nasty job, however when I work neatly with lots of concentration I can. Discovered monday morning that my cutting mat left oil-stains on all my ready cut mats......!!!!
So I just went to my frame-shop and they did it for me.. too frustrated to start again. Expensive mats... I 'll tell you

Some WIP's

working on another diptych in the fusion series and a large abstract... having bits that float around in autumn ponds on my mind.. something like autumn debris

Applying copper leaf

Applying copperleaf to the latest diptych... messy stuff
Feels like I am making an artifact, enjoying myself though.
Was just contemplating if this copperleaf will oxidize??
ideas?

Green Copper Diptych (fusion series)

Two canvases each 16x48inch (40x120 cm)
Total 32x48 inch (80x120cm)
Press thumbnail to get a better idea of the surface, have been experimenting in getting an oxidized copper-look.I think I prefer the flowers to the right setting.
I like the way they work a bit like an antagonist of each other and I kind of forcing them to stay there with their backgrounds (which I flipped also).

Haagsche Hondjes

Just reworked some of the Dutch Dog series, the candy wrappers are a specific "the Hague" kind of candy, they taste like coffee.

Upcoming expositions

This is the poster for the end of this month group exhibition to celebrate the new year and the new annex to the Vonkel gallery.

On this page of my website you can find what's upcoming in my agenda.

Tuscan Daffodil

oil and goldleaf on linen
4ftx4ft 120x120cm
press on picture for enlargement to
see details of the paint application

Filing Cabinet...

as promised my "administration"

Have worked on the big canvas yesterday and changed directions halfway...will see what comes up today

another 4x4ft (120x120cm)

Started today another big one.
I know one thing for sure...I am dreading the dark wintertime and am already longing for Spring.
That's why I just have to paint some spring flowers like daffodils. There is not a set plan yet....just starting with a general fill of the canvas, I've made the gesso something like a light salmon pink, that will make it a lesh harsh than starting on a white canvas. I have put two layers of gesso on, disliked the structure of this linen. When I painted realistically I sanded the whole canvas in between the gesso layers, nowadays... I do embrace hick-ups in smoothness.
Yesterday I gessoed a whole bunch of canvases. and had a look at the exra space that is going to be added to the gallery here in the Hague. Great opportunity for small seasonal exhibitions as well, I had coffee with my sister downtown and bought a darkbrown wintercoat with a lime green floral lining !

Fresh Fruit (fusion series)

oil and goldleaf on canvas
16x16 inch (40x40cm)

Drizzle (fusion series)

oil and goldleaf on canvas
16x16 inch (40x40 cm), had some small
canvases still hanging around.

A thinking and sketching day......

Have cleaned up my studio, believe me that was necessary after the last days of the big pond painting.
Have had a talk with the gallery owner (btw he serves some great coffee) discussing which paintings will be part of the solo show beginning of March and which will go to the big Art Fair 2007 in the Hague a few weeks after the opening of the show.
Have not decided on that issue yet.
Ordered some canvases.
And browsed trough my note book where I scribble down ideas or do litte sketches, things to remind while I paint. Definately want to do some works on paper, thinking of picking up the Dutch Dog series again, in a wilder version that is.... can even rework some existing pieces I think. Like to start on that....
Days like this are necessary.

Mother of All Ponds

...was getting sick and tired of the'camouflaged look"of the earlier version
of this work and here is where I landed now.
It has everything in it why I find ponds mesmerizing.
4x4ft 120x120 cm
(press for the pop up)

Autumn Berries (fusion series)

oilpaints and goldleaf on linen
32x32 inch (80x80cm)
Really dark day today,
have been painting with special daylight spots on and very very loud music from the 70's like 10cc, supertramp, jim groce, gordon lightfoot, james
taylor, al stewart and as compensation also some cat stevens.
Felt like a good day today and was quite loose in the approach

btw press on the image for a big enlargement, gives you an idea of all the groundwork.

Pond

edit .. this is not the final stage (november 21st)




4ftx4ft 120x120cm oil on linen, and a detail
(press photos for enlargement)

The Difference is about 2 hours and a lot of grr%$#QQQ**

Just some details......phew........

Have worked hours and hours on it today, huge piece... it's starting to head into the correct direction, very loose approach, while listening to some really good music.
So here a few details, too dark again to photograph well , used some daylight lamps at
the end of the day. In that case almost painting like a colorblind then... but hey sometimes I think I know my colors like I do herbs and spices while cooking.
Will see tomorrow.Still tons of work to be done on it.

Still ....Getting the first layers down

A lot of work done with lots of shades of green, blue etc... have to take care it's not getting to cold, so mixing in some warm colors as well(a.o. red and orange), you will never find them back...however will miss them when not mixed in for sure.
I'm planning on a solid first layer in before getting loose... big canvases are treated with more respect I guess (lol)
btw.. these are not the best colors in this pic, was getting actually to dark to photograph without flash.... a big splotch of glare is also not very desirable...this will have to do

Al veel werk verricht, met vele schakeringen groen en blauw..veel warme kleuren zoals rood en oranje erin verwerkt om een "koud schilderij" te voorkomen. Als je er naar zoekt... zul je ze echter niet vinden. Wil eerst een solide basis hebben voordat het 'los gaan' kan beginnen, eerst zorgen dat er ook diepte is te vinden.
De kleuren van deze foto zijn niet al te best..morgen beter.

Works in Progress

Both oil on linen
-red 31.5x31.5inch(80x80cm)
-green 4ftx4ft(120x120cm)

Just getting all the basics in before the fun part can start (big one)
the small red one is just one delicous mess of paint and texture.. will travel from there....

Amaryllis Gala (fusion series)

oil and goldleaf on linen
40x40 inch (100x100cm)

Irises (fusion series)

oil on canvas
24x24 inch
(60x60cm)

For further information on this new series have a look at my website

starting another one.....drawing and spray paints...

40x40 inch
100x100 cm
just playing
having fun

Amaryllis (fusion series)

oilpaint on 3 canvases
16x48 inch 40x120cm
olieverf op 3 canvasdoeken

and a detail... it's actually just about paint, looking at the drips and the depth
Experimenting a bit with glazing and using more linseed oil, it's getting messier

Water Lilies (finished)

64x20 inch (160x50cm)

Water Lilies update

oil on 4 canvases ..63x20 inch (160x50cm)


this is the work on it I did so far.. do feel is still to franticly busy ,
I will have to reduce the participants in this painting.. that's going to be a great job

Feels like winter is coming....

Today it feels like there's really a change of season (we had an extra-ordinary warm September and October so far) now it feels a bit chilly.
So I needed to start a red Amaryllis painting (not finished) and cook and old fashioned pear with red wine sauce dessert!


16x48 inch 40x120 cm

a detail

and dessert.

Some more work and some detail-pics

..coming together nicely, the details are way jummier irl, will have to hide some orangy/reds in there tomorrow... just hints, or will hide them in some mars-red....which are actually browns..
't begint ergens op te lijken,de details zijn smakelijker up close and personal, morgen wat rood-oranjes aanbrengen, of mars-rood... meer een soort bruin

Arti 06 ... some pics of this fair in the Hague

Empty walls

All my paintings are somewhere on display at the moment,
all the walls are empty...

update

A stretched one..

have used a new drying medium... smells nice but stays sticky too long.. will have to wait a bit longer to continue
63x20 inch (160x 50 cm)

Just ordered some big canvases, together with a bunch of floater-frames , getting ready this week for the new art event in the Hague (see my website)

Physalis

Autumn Colors

I am trying to paint two paintings on one canvas. So am kind of weaving one painting into another one.Trying to find a weave or a fabric as an endresult.
Startingpoint triggering this search is color as always.
I realise that in a way I still keep on following the seasons.It's time for warm autumny colors.

Simply Ranunculus (2)

40 x 31.5 inch (100x80 cm) oil on canvas



This a rework, as is "Weave of Irises".
I have been redoing them over the last few weeks. The kind of canvas is different then what I am used too. I was increasingly annoyed by the paint-surface. And decided for a touch-up.... should have known better... I cannot do touch-up's, you cannot enter the same river twice... so I ended up ...overpainting completely two whole paintings.
Am happy with the outcome eventually... and will be more careful in choosing what kind of canvases in the future.

Weave of Irises

31.5x31.5 inch(80x80cm) oil on canvas




This a rework, as is "Simply Ranunculus (2)".
I have been redoing them over the last few weeks. The kind of canvas is different then what I am used too. I was increasingly annoyed by the paint-surface. And decided for a touch-up.... should have known better... I cannot do touch-up's, you cannot enter the same river twice... so I ended up ...overpainting completely two whole paintings.
Am happy with the outcome eventually... and will be more careful in choosing what kind of canvases in the future.

Opening of the IROK fall exhibition in Horst (the Netherlands)

Yesterday afternoon. A good crowd showed up inspite of the nice weather.
The gallery space is wonderful and big enough to show my "older" more realistic works as well as my more recent abstract paintings. A good combo.

September Pond

oil on canvas
40x40 inch (1x1 meter)
Another day of work, finetuning
I will let it be for a few days and then sign.....

progress report on the Waterlillies canvas......

It's coming together slowly, have to let it dry for a few days now before continuing

Seven old canvases ....being pimped!

I am re-using some old canvases.
I love to work over the texture of the old paintings.

Grote schoonmaak gehouden.... en een aantal oude schilderijen moesten er aan geloven.
De onderliggende textuur is eeen mooi uitgangspunt voor nieuw werk.

update on the late summer Waterlillies

Progress-report over the weekend, many glazes.

Voortgangsrapport van weekend-arbeid (lol) , veel toegevoegde glaceerlagen. Probeer daardoor veel diepte in de kleur te krijgen.

Working on this canvas...

I am working on several canvases at the same time,
working a bit more with glazes I've noticed ..so there's even more waiting time required.
Sometimes I speed up the process with some liquin ... hesitating of using too much of it... am afraid of yellowing it.
Anyways... just looking at this canvas now (early beginnings)....they are lilly pads...in Autumn mood.
I have seen once dark red pads in a murky pond....stunning!
Always wanted to do Lilly Pads and waterlillies, however not in a Claude Monet-way.
Am also interested in the break in lines by the watersurface and the shapes you see under water. Curious where this will lead to
Here's a progress pic

Poppy Parfait (diptych)

Have been working all day yesterday until it got dark.
I believe it's finished, will sign it in a few days.
Red is a difficult colour to translate into a digital image on a computerscreen,
there are more hues and shades of red in reality for sure.

Tot gisteravond laat aan gewerkt. Ik denk dat het af is.Moeilijk te fotograferen stuk, met alle variaties van roze tot geel.

Oil on Canvas (2x)
32 x 64 inch (80 x 160 cm)



just showing it vertically in order to get a better view

......and back to WORK !

Have been cleaning up last week, ordering frames etc... did some painting too, the poppies-diptych is getting close to completion, the finishing up will take a few days and in the meantime can start up the structure of some new ones ..have to admit the Whales and Orca's,Moose,Salmon,Otters,Deer,Mountains,Lakes,Ocean,Kayaks.... the whole of the great Outdoors are still very much on my mind, sure some of those impressions will finds it's way and trickle into my paintings.
This friend will keep me company for now!

.........TIME OUT

just to let you know I'm enjoing my vacation in USA and Canada... no painting at all
just chasing whales , bears, the salmon trek and enjoying the great outdoors and doing some shopping in NY and Seattle

Poppies-Klaprozen Diptych update

Yesterday the weather gods made it possible again....I spend a decent amount of the day
building up this diptych, lots of glazes and tons of shades of red-orang-yellows-pinks and decendants of them... Hard to take good pics with these glazes

Veel glaceringen en een enorme rijkdom aan kleuren

Pheww......heat wave here........

It is sooo hot...... afraid I'll blow up my studio if I open up a jar of turp...
Haven't been painting for the last few days. You can find me on the beach or on the bike.

Further Building Up....................

Let's see what happens tomorrow, looking for rhythm, balance and character building.

Morgen verder met de opbouw en het introduceren van een ritme en balans.


Here's a detail

Oh well we lost.....let's paint something orange

Bad soccer game last night, more of a battle actually.... we lost to Portugal
I still like orange though..........so Hup Holland Hup!

Dat was niet best gisteravond.......oranje blijft een fantastische kleur
OK.....aan de slag !

and.... finished!!

Deconstructing Irises
oil on canvas
40 x 40 inch (1 meter x 1 meter)




and some details

My Irises 3 update

Looks like the Irises are not yet out of my system... going on with
Deconstructing them., 1 meter x 1 meter
Some progress pics.. took them over the last few days..
not finished yet
(BTW ... these are not my painting clothes)

PLUK Exhibition ( a tour )

Last Saturday , June 10 th .........the opening of PLUK.
About 60 people showed up for the opening and filled the
Gallery space to the brim. Lots of old and new friends.
The sparkling cold wine was just the right temperature, the
opening speech by Thierry sounded like he knows me and my work
very well (thanks.... and deep bow .)
Several works found a new home already. Field of Poppies was the first to go.
The exhibition ends July 21 st.

Works in Progress

definately a summers feel so far

A Good Thing........

This is a good feeling...... a very clean pallette table....organized, clean,
an invitation to start a new work.
The right part of this table on wheels is covered with a thick glass plate which I use for mixing, this surface makes also for easy clean up.

Did Something Drastic

I painted My Irises 2 on a gallery wrapped canvas size 40 x 31.5 inch (100 x 80cm).
From the onset I wasn't happy with the size of the canvas as well as the fact that it was galley wrapped.
So this week I did something drastic...I took the canvas of the baseframe and reattached it to a normal square base. (with help from my good friend Sandra)
My Irises 2 has the following dimensions now.....31.5 x 31.5 inch (80 x 80 cm)

Simply Ranunculus

oil on canvas
31.5 x 40 inch (80 x 100 cm)

My Irises 2

oil on canvas 40 x 31.5 inch (100 x 80 cm)

progress shots

detail

detail

just an update

far from finished

Invitationcard to my show (front and back)

progress....of just a detail

some details are developing nicely, I just remembered I saw once these kind of white irises , big fluffy flowers..they are white..then again this one is blushing
(ahhhhh...the power of the painter)

paid a visit to the kunstRAI in Amsterdam

Yesterdayevening I visited the ARTAmsterdam KunstRAI
Just click on the above link and browse trough some participating galeries and artists.

I was impressed by the collection and marketing approach of LUMAS in Berlin.

The exhibited art was more geared towards the collectors and the art-scene in comparison to the Artfair in the Hague a few weeks ago.

What's cooking

100 cm x 70 cm (40 x 27.5 inch) gallery wrapped canvas
just setting up a base, first applied some acrylics and that doesn’t work for me. Went over it with oilpaints, now I need
a week to dry before continuing

Well.......... lots of other project are on it’s way so I won’t be bored for sure

in the NEWS

A mentioning of my upcoming exhibit !! click here

the opening will be Saturday , June 10th at five o'clock in the afternoon.

Frame Time !!!

Busy framing, making passe partouts etc....
It's an ok job getting ready for an exhibition.... the bad thing about cutting the mats (passe partouts)is the fact that the whole worksurface has to be absolutely clean and organised.

Birthday-present for Maartje

17.7 x 14.3 inch (45 x 36.5 cm) watercolor on paper
Maartje is addicted to this type of shoes..... if I had not confiscated them for a while ...she would have been walking on them in the heart of winter.......

a detail

....early birthday girl !!!

Dutch Dog 4 (first snow)

8.25 x 13 inch (21 x 33 cm)

just experimenting with this new medium



this detail shows how much you can add on before reaching saturation

Dutch Dog 3

13 x 15 inch (34 x 38 cm)
acrylic watercolor on gessoed paper
this is quite addictive


and a detail

Dutch Dog 2

watercolor on gessoed paper
14.5 x 11 inch (37 x 28 cm)



a detail just to see the water medium application, really fun to work on this series

Visited the Holand Art Fair

I visited the Holland Art Fair yesterday here in the Hague.

It is one of the more important Art Fairs in the Netherlands
It's not easy for a gallery to be admitted as a participant, you have to be voted in by a committee. And participation fees for a 4-day event are high. Often the gallery owner and it's group of artists share the costs.

(it would be great to be a participant next year)

Spring Break

oil on canvas 40x40 inch (1meter x 1meter) and a bit of goldleaf

a detail

progress of the fun part

1 meter x 1 meter
experimenting with gold leaf........advice keep windows closed !!

just starting to understand that I am in a deconstructing-mode these last few paintings
and just putting it together in a different way, like re-arranging, breaking it up, civilized explosions........enjoying it

Progress pics

Well the basics are there.....way too stiff and non cooperating though ....so it's time to mess it up in a good way, the fun part can start now.
I'll make a bikeride and look up some more scruffy daffodils, see how they move in the wind. See how they've handled the rain and if they age well or not.

Lots of work done today

did a lot of work today on the spring painting, colors developed nicely

Set up of a spring painting and a..........

Some rough ideas for a spring painting, starting to form a rhythm.
While wondering about spring and taking a few steps back to view fr0m a distance... an encounter with the palette-table and a crash...........

Dutch Dog

I wanted to do a series on dogs (citydogs) in a 'light' medium to enhance the whimsical factor in this serie.
I looked up some pretty good tutorials on the Wet Canvas site of the Water Color forum and tried the first one yesterdayevening
12x14 inch
30x36 cm

Thinking about........

I was thinking about the weather.........
we have a Spring storm here...
gusty winds and am also thinking about a new series I want to make about dogs
Then it just came to mind that I once (somewhere in the 70's) made an etching about
storm and dogs..here it is

Looks like the scope of interest is pretty much set at an early age......
(some people call it their inner bower bird)

Summer Snippets

Oil on canvas
48 x 48 inch (120 x 120 cm)





Ha!! it's been a while

......no updates yet

I have no access to my little roof-top-studio...
some construction is going on there.......
certain wall-isolation panels were "forgotten" during the actual construction of the house......(sigh)
ok
I've been busy working on my new website..hope it will be ready by the end of the month

LATEST PIECE...........in progress

The paint has to dry a little before proceeding.......here are some detail shots...as you see have been using the paintingknife a bit

LATEST WORK : Lange Voorhout........cityscape

...click here ! to see

Latest work on paper.......

...click here ! to see "Afloat"

LATEST PIECE..........Windows Wide Open

...click here ! to see