The Old Haven, Gouda

Gouda Oude Haven
oil on canvas
40 x 30 cm
painted on location, Thursday 23 April 2009

Destroyed (painted over)

Can't get more Dutch than this. I even put in two Dutch flags, of which one is also being reflected on the water! I think the strenght of this painting lies right there, with the water. I was well into the painting and for some reason, it just wasn't pulling together. Finally decided to apply a dark green to cover most of the surface, and then started to paint all those reflections, and wave actions. That seems to have done the trick.

View of South Beach, The Hague, #3/09

Cool mist in the air, Zuiderstrand, Den Haag
oil on canvas
50 x 70 cm (a fair size painting)
painted on location, Tues. afternoon, 21 April 2009

no longer exists

As I mentioned so many times, never the same situation twice, on these shorlines. With a cool breeze coming off the Sea, and the warm temperature in the air, a lovely soft mist was the dominant factor in this scene. Hardly a soul walking about, just a few, dressed nice and warmly, walking along the waters edge. The saturation of colors seized my attention, as I arrived on location, wondering about, lookig for something interesting to paint. This is The North Sea, and She has temperment, and lots of it, ask any sailor of these waters, I'm sure they will agree. This shift in moods is of interest to painters such as myslf, who are forever occupied with bringing that mood unto a piece of canvas, and transmitting it to you, the viewer.

Catamaran Clubhouse, (HKZV) The Hague #1/09

Preparing the Cat, on a windy day, South Beach, The Hague
oil on canvas, 30 x 90 cm
painted on location, Sunday 19 April 2009
SOLD

I was on my knees for this baby. Funny being a Sunday, felt like I was in Holy place. For me, this is like being in the house of God, however without walls. Infinity above me, to the horizon, earths grandeur , and Holland over my right shoulder. I make a connection with spirit here....., this is my church. The Almighty creator guides my hand. I do the best I can to get out of the way and let the creative flux from nowhere and everywhere, flow through me. Funny an inquisitive lady came up to me and asked, "Do you do this just for fun and to relax?" I replied, "Yes it gives me great pleasure, thus fun, I suppose, but to relax"!!!!! This activity is anything but that. Mind you if I was just splashing colour around, and not concerned about perspective, and getting all those details correct, then yes, maybe it would be relaxing. But if that was the case I wouldn't dare expect anyone to reach in their pocket and hand over to me 425 euros!

View from South Beach, The Hague #2/09

Lovely spring day
oil on canvas
30 x 80 cm
painted on location, Wed 15 April 2009

SOLD

The tide is low, not a cloud in the sky, a soft cool breeze, is refreshing as the sun is in full splendor. Sailors are enjoying their beloved vessels, a young lady is having fun with her loyal pet dog, and il pittore is on location, yet again visiting his ever so faithful new found mistress, The North Sea. As this picture does not do justice to the painting, I have decide to show you a small detail.

Old City Hall, Markt, Delft

Oude Stadhuis, met markt, Delft
oil on canvas
13 x 18 cm
painted on location - Easter Monday 13 April 2009

SOLD

Sometimes when I'm making a painting it is like I'm fighting a losing battle. Believe me this painting defeated me! It may look like childs play, it may even look like I don't know how to paint, it certainly felt like I didn't know what the hell I was doing. It most likely had to do more with my state of mind,.... oh well, like always, in the end, I come out feeling somewhat better. As at least something gets created. Where in the beginning there was nothing but a blank image, on a quality piece of cotton, through my efforts, and the assistance of a creative force, which I allow to filter through my heart, a result occurs. After all is said and done, who the hell am I to judge? It is well known that most of the artist's of the past, thought much less of their paintings, than the average onlooker of these great art works, hanging now in prominant art collections.

View of South Beach, The Hague # 1/09

First day beach outing for this season
oil on canvas
30 x 90 cm
painted on location, Friday 10 April 2009

SOLD

Yes for a few daring souls, this was the first day they actually stripped down to there bathing suits, some even dared the still extremely cold water of the North Sea. A few days ago I made a very small version of this same compsition. Of course the conditions are never ever the same, the color of the water, the sky, the shifting sands on the beach, so many variables, that's why I never tire from this theme.

Seagulls playing in the rain, The North Sea.

A rainy day at South Beach, The Hague
oil on canvas
20 x 40 cm
painted on location, Wed. 8 April 2009

SOLD

Rain or shine, il pittore is out there capturing what beauty is to be found, even in the most unlikely places. I had to perch myself under a rescue teams container (reddingsbrigade) which are standard on all of the Dutch beaches, to keep dry. With less than 2 meters space between the earth and the bottom of container, I got on my knees to work on this canvas. Funny how it turned out, it seems to have been painted from the height of those two front seagulls. Guess I was seeing with my minds eye, as most of what I do is intuitive anyway. That's why I don't usually give art lessons. How could I teach what I don't know myself? It is a privilidge, and a good state to be in, when I just allow my hand to be guided by some unknown force. Results are surprising to me, and usually quite good.

View of the Marebrug, Leiden

Corner of Oude Vest and Lange Mare, Leiden
oil on canvas
13 x 18 cm
painted on location - Sunday 5 March 09

SOLD

Back in Leiden, to make yet another study for the commission of this scene. I went across the canal this time, and further away. The 1st study I painted in Leiden was made directly underneath that massive iron bridge, just on the other side of that object which forms part of the bridge. Too bad that the original hand drawn cast iron bridge does not exist anymore, I seen paintings of it in that cafe on the corner. It complimented the surroundings much nicer.

Rising fog, Scheveingen Harbor

Early morning view of Scheveningen binnen haven
oil on canvas
30 x 24 cm
painted on location, 5 march - 4 april, (12x)

SOLD

Here I present to you a smaller version of a similar painting I made last summer at more or less this location ( posted 10 june 2008). Beleive me this is not an easy place to make a painting. The boats in themselves have a certain attraction, I suppose, but the fact that there are so many, what a challenge. And remember, they are not perfectly still in their anchored position. I did my upmost to make this scene pleasing to the viewer. I'd appreciate to know what you, one of the many, who are viewing this work think? Why not drop me a line, thanks.

View of South Beach, The Hague

Traces of the new season to a start.
oil on gessoed masonite
9 x 18 cm
painted on location, Friday 3 April 2009

SOLD

We have been having some lovely weather here in The Lowlands. This is the first painting of this scene for the new season, hope to get to this beautiful beach as often as possible. The Catamaran sailing club is that tiny blue spot between the two red structures. The municipality is busy setting up all kinds of signs and garbage containers, thought I'd spare you the details.

Regentesseplein, The Hague #4/09

Ode on Queen Emma, of The Netherlands
oil on canvas
40 x 30 cm
painted on location in 15 settings March - April 2009

private collection, The Hague

Here I am again back in the neighbourhood, painting on one of The Hague's most beautiful squares, the Regentesseplein (funny it is round, yet in English a plein is a square). This scene is loaded with details, that were for me quite the challenge, first off, to get them all in, and secondly, to keep a painterly quality on the surface. Early morning scene, not too many people out and about as yet, however I choose not to include persons because there is already enough information for the viewer to digest.