Breaking Waves, The North Sea, #2/08

Breaking Waves, windy conditions with sailboat, South beach, The Hague
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm
painted on location, Fri. 30 May 2008

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Lovely soft Dutch light being played out in this scene, captured late in the afternoon, on a fairly secluded beach. That sailor was having the time of his life, that front sail taking in just about as much wind as it can handle, that baby was on the move. The transparency of the large wave about to break worked out quite well, wouldn't you agree?

Breaking Waves, The North Sea, #1/08

Breaking waves with seagulls, Zuiderstrand, The Hague
oil on canvas
30 x 60 cm
painted on location, Fri 23 May 2008

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"Painters, go look at the sea. There you will see the marvels of color and light, the sparkling sky. You will feel the poetry of the sands, the charms of the air, of the imperceptible hue. You will return from there stronger and full of great accents.
Poets, go and see the beach. You will have to sing the mystery of infinity.....
Musicians go listen to its harmony. All of you, finally, who are tired of wordly life, all of you who are oppressed by the weight of days,... go and breathe in the strength and faith of fertile nature, our mother and friend."

Odilon Redon ( 1840 - 1916 )

Now you know why I never get tired of painting this subject! Don't I know about those imperceptible hues , it would take the challenge out of it , if it was otherwise.

Path in the dunes, Westduinpark # 10/08

Path in the dunes, Bright sunny day, Westduinpark, The Hague
oil on canvas
50 x 60 cm
painted on location, Wed 21 May 2008

SOLD

Here I am back to the same spot were this series all began, on the 4th of April 2008. It feels good to be back on this theme. The dunes, as you can see have gone through a major color transformation since then. The paint is layed on so thick that you could most likely could smell it, even on your screen. Seeing this in the real is much better.

Arrivederci,

The Smallest house in Delft

The smallest house in Delft
oil on canvas
40 x 30 cm
painted on location, (on several occasions from june 2007 - 20 May 2008)


SOLD
Private collection, Wassenaar, Holland

No joke. This is really known as the smallest house in Delft. Historically this house is known to have been the residence of the private Doctor of Hollands first offical Political leader, Prince Willam Van Orange. Who by the way, was assassinated just about 80 meters down the street. (I guess the Dr. was out playing golf or posing for the statue of him which is shown on the pink wall, typical isn't it.) Back to serious business, I like the orchestration of all those angles on the facades of these buildings, and the way the light hits them, causing the reflections on the windows.

Beach Scene, cloudy sky, Domburg

Beach scene with cloudy sky, Domburg
oil on canvas
70 x 50 cm
painted on location, Sat 3 may 2008

SOLD

This will be the last posting from my recent trip to Domburg. This portrait format canvas, is rather unusual for a seascape. I did this purposefully so one could get an appreciation for the renowned Dutch light. The swiftly moving clouds are also a dominant feature in this composition. ( Take note of the shadow created by one of them on the sand.) The beach and dunes here are naturally very untamed and beautiful. Check out the gradation of the sand from were it meets the sea to the base of those amazingly high dunes.

Beach scene, Zuiderstrand, #1/08

Summer beach scene, Zuiderstrand, The Hague
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm
painted on location, Sun. 11th and Wed. 14th May 08

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The sun has left us here in The Lowlands, after two weeks of crystal clear blue skies and an abundance of warm soothing sunrays. The painting I'm sending today is a testimony of just what I'm talking about. This is a view of the beach that we are lucky to have here in the nation's capital. Most people think that this city is known for its political status, but any "Haagenaar", will tell you the best thing about this city is what you are looking at right now.
Tell me the exact spot were I made this painting and you get a 10% discount.

Beach scene with children playing.

Small beach scene, children playing, Domburg
oil on canvas
13 x 18 cm
painted on location, Fri 2 May 2008

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Another typical view of the beach in Domburg. You can clearly see the effect of the declining tide on the beach. Children love to play in the pools of water that the uneven level of the sand on the beach capture for a short time.

Late afternoon, Beach scene, Domburg

Beach scene, Domburg, Zeeland
oil on canvas
17 x 22 cm
painted on location, Thurs 1 may 2008

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This is the second painting I made while in Domburg last week. The beach here is very distinguished with these charateristic rows of poles that jetty out into the sea. A few months ago I painted the same composition, only then it was a winter storm condition, the colors then were grey and green as compared to these indigo and light sky blue color schemes.

View of Delft, with White flat boat

View of Delft from 'Delftse Schie'
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
painted on location, from Feb. 2008 - 7 May 2008

SOLD
Private Collection, Wassenaar, Holland

The inspiration to make this painting is because this is more or less the spot were Johannes Vermeer, ( 16th century) painted his famous, View of Delft, which can be seen in the Mauristhuis Collection, ( Hollands National Art Gallery). Also that lovely flat white boat, made this scene a must for me to paint. It took me longer than I expected to complete this piece. Went on location at least seven times, had to set up on a days with the same conditions, clear cloudless sky, and within the same time frame, 10.30am - 1.30pm. The details in this composition, were driving me crazy, it was quite a challenge to simplify them, like the reflections on the water.

View of the beach, Domburg, Zeeland

Beach Scene, Domburg, Zeeland
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm
painted on location, Thurs 1 May 08

SOLD

It's the middle of the afternoon. The sun is in full glory, however the temperature is still not above 20 degrees celsius. Tomorrow it's going above 20, there will be at least 175 people occuping the space depicted on this canvas. There is a lady looking over my left shoulder. She says something that sounds like 'schoon', she talks in German, I look at her and say, sorry I'm not German or Dutch. She speaks English, so we strike up a conversation. She says something to the effect, " I like it because it has depth and you are not painting all the people". I say to her, " thank you, when someone living in a big city, has this painting hanging on their wall, they will appreciate the serenity that this scene offers".

Path in the dunes, Domburg

Path in the dunes, Domburg, Zeeland
oil on canvas
30 x40 cm
painted on location, Fri 2 May 08

SOLD
private collection, Westkapelle, Zeeland

Have not been posting since last week because was on a painting holiday with four other plein - air painters in Domburg, Zeeland. This area of Holland is very well known for its sharp and clear light. The sky is particularly interesting to paint, the clouds seem to float about in a haphazard but yet, rhythmic order. Have not seen this anywhere else but here. The next six postings will all be from this painting excursion. Note the height of these dunes as compared the Westduinpark series.