Snow in The Hague #2, Regentesse Square

Regentesseplein met sneeuw #2, Den Haag
oil on canvas
60 x 70 cm
painted on location - Mon 20 and Wed 22 Dec 2010
SOLD

You know sometimes when an artist gets in a creative flow, you might be able to compare him/her to a surfer who is riding on the crest of a wave. Especially in this case, as this is no normal situation for The Lowlands. To have so much snow, and then that it doesn't melt, like within a few hours. Looks like we are in for, a very cold winter, indeed! Anyway back to this painting. The Weimerstraat has one of The Hagues' busiest bicycle paths, thus there was a constant flow of them. I have painted in only one who is doing his best to stay in an upright position!

Snow in The Hague #3, Regentesse Square

Regentesseplein met sneeuw #3, Den Haag
oil on canvas
50 x 40 cm
painted on location - Tues 21 Dec 2010
SOLD

Well, here I am back at the same spot as the last posting, doing my best to stay warm, and at the same time bringing to you a unique situation here in The Lowlands. You might be asking, "hey what happened to #2, of this series"? The answer is, it is still in progress, hope to have it finished later today! Yesterday didn't get on location tell after 3pm, by the time I set up, being the shortest day of the year, the street lights already came on, thus was not able to continue on the #2 painting, as the whole atmosphere had changed! What to do,.....make a 3rd painting. And am glad I did, as am quite content with the results. Looks like a nice series is building up, maybe a up and coming exhibition?

The White house with the blue door, The Hague

Het witte huis met de blauwe deur, met sneeuw
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Wed 1 Dec 2010/ finished in studio Tues 7 Dec 2010

SOLD


Many of you living abroard may not know this, but snow on the ground in this part of The Lowlands is actually not common. In the hustle and bustle of a cosmopolitan city like The Hague, you can still find buildings such as the one depicted on this quaint oil. I sit up my easel on the corner of Nieuwe Uitleg and Maliestraat, just behind the Lange Voorhout. It was cold, damp, and it was snowing. Hardly no wind to speak of, thank God. I was dressed like an Eskimo! Standing at the edge of a water canal, beleive you me, the cold damp, gets right to the bone, in a matter of seconds. Especially when one is standing still. I took the liberty of spicing up the color scheme a bit, and that tiny flower bouquet was invented. However I must admit that the Dutch are very proud of their window displays, and come up with the cuttiest of installations.

First snow in the dunes, Westduinpark, The Hague

Duinen met sneeuw, Westduinpark, Den Haag
oil on canvas, 30 x 90 cm
painted on location - Sunday 5 Dec 2011
no longer exists - painted over

Well my dear friends, here you see il pittore in his element. This has become my favored subject for the last 3 yrs now. And can you blame me, really. Just look at the array of colors, Nature has to offer. Even on this bitter cold windy winters day! I can't understand, how the painters of The Haagse School, didn't get these colors on their palets? I mean they must have been in a constant state of depression, or something. I am not overstating at all, ladies and gentlemen. These colors are plain to see, if you care to take the time. However, make sure the sunlight is finding its way through the mass of clouds, otherwise the colors will indeed be subdued. One of my most trustworthy locations, over the last few years must have created 25 or more paintings near this spot.

Plein, The Hague

Plein, Den Haag
oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Monday 22 Nov 2010


Here we are back in The Lowlands! This painting was made more than a week ago. Thank God, because it is now bitterly cold here in The Hague. Temperatures have dropped to well below -14 degrees Celsius! The chap featured on the cement podium happens to be this countries first official King, William Van Orange I. I might be wrong, so if you know better please let me know. With the leaves all fallen off the trees, one gets a glimpse of the stately buildings surrounding this perstigiuos Square (Plien in Dutch). Directly behind the statue is the Mauritshuis. Home to some of this countries most beloved paintings, such as, The Woman with the Golden Earing by Johannes Vermeer.

San Vincenzo Vecchio(AQ) with first snow.

San Vincenzo Vecchio(AQ) met 1ste sneeuw
oil on canvas
40 x 100 cm - (16 x 40 inches)
painted on location - Wed 17 Nov 2010

The 3rd and last of this series. There would have been at least 2 more had the weather been more co-operative! Actually this painting went through a major face lift, as when it was started, the climatic conditions were similar to the first two paintings. However, due to cool temperatures and overcast skies a fresh layer of snow was lift behind in the high altitudes, when the clouds lifted. Thus seen in this work is a combination of snow and very thin layered drifting clouds. The setting is late afternoon, thus the color scheme of the valley is richer and deeper in tone.

San Vincenzo Vecchio(AQ) with olive picker

San Vincenzo Vecchio(AQ) met oliijf plukker
oil on canvas
40 x 100 cm
painted on location - Sun 14 Nov 2010

Here you have the 2nd painting made during my little trip to Abruzzo. This time I opted for a more panoramic view of the valley, which by the way is called 'Valle Roveto'. The light on this painting is a little softer as it was made later on in the day, middle of the afternoon, to be precise. Autumn foilage on the distant mountain ranges, mixed with the still intense greens and silverblue hues of the nearby foilage on the trees, create a harmonizing effect on the human eye. Note the shapes of the mountain peaks on the far left of the canvas. One could make out the shapes of a womans hair and face and a little further to the right, a breast, both in upright position. The locals here refer to her as, "La Bella Dormintata", (The Sleeping Beauty)! Hey what do you expect, from those hot blooded Italians!

San Vincenzo Vecchio (AQ), Italy

San Vincenzo Vecchio (AQ), Italie
oil on canvas
60 x 70 cm
painted on location - Mon 15 Nov 2010

Private collection - Sora(FR), Italy

As some of you may have known I made a short excursion to my home town in Italy. With the idea of witnessing and lending a hand, in the olive picking festivities. I must say, as luck would have it, I ended up at an ideal location. I was hosted by a cousin who has a 2nd home in the village shown on this painting. Nestled in a picturesque gentle mountainous valley, with autumn colors still in full splendour, and temperatures reaching will over 20% celsius, il pittore didn't need much convincing to set his easel up in a field above this olive grove! This is the 1st of 3 paintings produced in this region of Abruzzo. Unfortunately we had some rain, thus limiting my production.

Koerenbrug by night, Leiden

Koerenbrug 's nachts, Leiden
oil on canvas
30 x 80 cm
painted on location on 3 occasions - 8 Oct/2Nov/9Nov 2010(also worked on in studio)
SOLD 

This actually started as a day time painting, but on the second occasion, it started to get dark so early, I was much more inspired by the whole array of light bouncing off all the objects, especially the bridge of course. As I also worked on this painting in my studio, I took the liberty of inventing a more sophisticated monumental scene. If you look at the photogragh below, you will notice that the roof tops on the right are very boring. They probably most likely had this sort of look at one time. However modern day real estate speculators are not usually putting attention on cultural beauty, rather profit turnover. You might also notice just how important format has on visual representation of the scene. I opted for a panoramic type size, whereas the picture is more mechanically conventional. The fact is we see and are comfortable with the panoramic format, as it is truer to our nature.

Path in the dunes, Texel (re-painted)

Pad in de duinen, Texel
oil on canvas
30 x 60 cm
re-worked in my studio - 27 Oct 2010

Just to make things clear, the top painting is the re-painted piece, which is now for sale. The bottom painting was the original version, which of course is no longer available! It is a common practice for artists to re work there own creations, that is when they are not content with the original version! I feel the new version has a greater sense of depth, thanks to the attention placed on the foreground and the toning down of the path. If you look closely you will see that I have added another pole and created a path which leads onto the main one. Next to the new pole I repainted the small tree bringing in warmer tones, thus making it more dominant. In the older version you see that tree barely scketched in. The painting has now a much warmer feel about it, which if my memory serves me correct, was much truer to the situation at hand, when it was painted on location on that refreshing spring morning back on the 16th of April 2010.

Autumn colors, woods Bergen NH

Bos met herfst kleuren, Bergen NH
oil on canvas
30 x 90 cm
painted on location - Sunday 31 October 2010

SOLD

It's about 9am on a Sunday morning. That couple are taking their dog out for a walk. They are sharing some nice thoughts. One can't help but to be feel refreshed and in good spirits, in the company of all these healthy life nuturing trees in this wooded area which surrounds the village of Bergen. This was painted just prior to the work featured on the last posting. The splendor of the autumn colors, being reflected in that narrow pond, definitely was my inspiration for the making of this piece.

Soft Autumn colors in Bergen NH

Feitsen door 't centruum van Bergen NH
oil on canvas
40 x 100 cm (16 x 40 inches)
painted on location - Sunday 31 October 2010 SOLD


In my estimation, one of the best paintings I've made of this subject. Made in one session of three and a half hours, it retains a freshness that can only be achived by working on location. It was actually a very dismal day, with a dull overcast sky. I decided to keep the blue of the background, as the sky, thus creating a more cheerful scene. Hell, life is tough enough! Besides my purpose in painting is to create beauty, sometimes reality just has to take a lesser position!
Painting in this style, I take great comfort in the words of the landscape Master painter, John Constable. "Light - dews - breezes - bloom - and freshness; not one of which has yet been perfected on the canvas of any painter in the world!"

Soft autumn day in Delft

Herfst dag Oosteinde, Delft
oil on canvas
40 x 30 cm
painted on location - Thursday 14 October 2010
SOLD


One of my favorite canal scenes in Delft. This time with an accent of autumn colors, makes this view a delight to paint. All those yellow/greenish hues work well with the warm colors of the houses and wall of the canal. Not too obvious is that mother and child walking in front of that pink house on the left, thus the detail below.

Sailing on the North Sea

Zeilen op een mooie dag
oil on canvas,20 x 140 cm
painted on location - Sunday 10 October 2010  -  SOLD

This painting was made recently on what was a beautiful day here in The Lowlands! Not a cloud in the sky to speak about, except for that hazy vapor, way off on the horizon. There was some sort of sailing competition going on, thus I had many a variety of sail boats to paint. Amazing that this is the same stretch of water that you see on my previous posting. As the English landscape master John Constable (1776 - 1837) used to say, "The sky is the source of light in Nature and it governs everything." As it is difficult for me to get a sharp image of this format painting, I strongly urge you to have a good look at the detail below (make sure you click on it to see it properly).

View of the North Sea, Westduinpark, The Hague

Gezicht op de Noord Zee, Westduinpark, Den Haag
oil on canvas
18 x 24 cm
painted on location - Friday 15 October 2010
SOLD

Here I am back at a familiar location. Feeling the need for some peace and to get my head cleared up from what can be defined as ones lifes struggles. I decided to head for this secluded location in Westduinpark, with this spectacular view of the North Sea. Despite the fact that it was not a very suitable day for outdoor painting, (as rain clouds drifted over me on 3 occasions), I nevertheless managed to knock off this small format earthly colored seascape. The light reflecting on the surface of the water was of such an intense light pale green hue, it seemed to be lit up from the bottom of the sea! On the horizon, one can distinguish what gives this country its extreme wealthy finicial position. That tiny dark spot on the horizon is an oil platform. To the right, a tanker, most likely waiting for the price of the oil barrel to increase, thus securing a gaining of millions!

Beach Cafe at Wassenaarseslag

Strandpavilijon te Wassenaarseslag
oil on canvas, 50 x 70 cm
painted on location - Tuesday 12 October 2010
SOLD

I'm having some fun here developing what is working up to be a series of oils made at this location. Yesterday was a bit cool, however, as evident in this painting, worth being on location. That never ending famous Dutch light, together with those beautiful Dutch clouds, which seem to be wanting to get somewhere in a hurry, was more than enough inspiration to get me going. Might be interesting for you, the observer to note just how those flag poles were placed in this work. If you check out the detail below, (make sure to click on it), you will clearly see that they were not painted in, but rather the wet paint was removed off, in order for the white from the canvas to show through. Kunst van weglaten, is what they call it in Dutch, The Art of leaving out, in English.


For all you Saint Thomas's out there, proof that I actually make these paintings on location!

Looking North from Wassenaarseslag

Gezicht van kust vanaf Wassenaarseslag
oil on canvas
60 x 80 cm
painted on location - Sunday 3 Oct 2010       SOLD

Like I mentioned in previous posting, here you have the 2nd painting that was made on that lovely Indian summers day on the beah at Wassenaar. This time the vanishing point takes you to Noordwijk Aaan Zee. I found the pink/rose colour of the windbreakers an attractive accent for the overall composition. The warm tones of the objects on the forefront, combine harmoniously with the cool hues of the sky and sea.

View of Scheveningen from Wassenaar's Beach

Gezicht vanaf Wassenaarseslag
oil on canvas, 30 x 150 cm
painted on location - Sunday 3 October 2010 SOLD

A little off my "beat and track", but not so far. Usually I'm painting on the other side of that small scale skyline and pier, about 3 kilometers done the coast.
I rather enjoyed myself, meeting all sorts of friendly new people. Many 'Expats' live in and around Wassenaar, thus got to speak my native language on a few occasions! The scenery also took me by surprise, somewhat similar to South Beach, The Hague, just a little less built up. Personally I find that attractive, more Nature, less human intervention. Speaking about Nature, I purposely, painted in the horizon quite low, thus affording one to take in and breath all that fresh Sea air, (figuratively speaking of course). Probably the last warm, ideal weather situation this country will experience for a long time. Thus 'il pittore' was rather obligated to pack his gear, and sieze the day! Which I did, getting myself ready the night before, and produced this and another modestly large beach scene.

Autumn colors on The North Sea

Een zacht najaars dag aan de Noord Zee
oil on canvas
20 x 140 cm
painted on location - Thurs. 23 October 2010
SOLD

Because of the two dominate colors on view in this scene, I was thinking of calling this painting, "Panoramic view of the North Sea, purple and green". For those of you who live by the Sea, you know this is not an exaggeration on my part. Actually if anything, it is quite the opposite. I tend to tone down the vibrancy of the colors. I don't have any idea how Van Gogh and the somewhat renowned Haagse School painters like Mesdag, did not pick up on these hue variations. Maybe I haven't seen enough of their works, I hope that is the case. Otherwise I would have to say that, either I am, or they were....colour blind! Again on this composition I decided to leave out the beach, starting exactly at the point were the water meets the land.

Vintage Drawbridge, Weesp, Holland

Ophaalbrug, Ossenmarkt, Weesp
oil on canvas
50 x 70 cm
painted on location _ Sat 11 Sept 2010 SOLD


In 1888, 122 years ago, the most well known Dutch person ever to walk this earth, Vincent Van Gogh, made at least 3 oil paintings of , The Langlois Bridge, in Arles, France.. Similar in design to the bridge I painted, but certainly less flashy. Let's face it ladies and gentlemen, when it comes to building bridges, you simply cannot beat the Dutch! I'm positive the Dutch Master was filled with nostalgia upon seeing that bridge, in the sunny light of the Midi. Me I found this draw bridge, here in this otherwise boring village, nestled just under Amsterdam, the most interesting subject to paint, on a one day plein-air painters festival. What struck me the most was the sunlight bouncing off the structure, and the situation of the boats anchored near the bridge.

Il Mare Del Nord, Venerdi 10 Set 2010

De Noord Zee, Vridag 10 September 2010
oil on canvas
20 x 140 cm
painted on location in the morning. -  SOLD

The panoramic series continues. This time with the advice of an artist collegue, no beach, only the Sea and Sky. If this work speaks to you and you have the oppurtunity, I would advice you come to have a look in the real. I swear it took more than 4 hours to get a decent digital picture of this canvas. It took only 1.5 hrs to make the painting! I felt the absolute necessity to include these 2 details.
Question: Can anyone out there advice me how to take decent pictures of this format painting?

Reflections on Canal, Center of The Hague

Teruggekaatst lucht door het water, Nieuwe Uitleg, DH
oil on canvas
13 x 18 cm
painted on location - Monday 6 Sept 2010



There are times when details are much more interesting than the bigger picture. This area of The Hague, located just behind the Petit Palace, Lange Voorhout, is incredibily picturesque. And will no doubt be the subject of some future paintings. However on this occasion, my attention was directed to only the reflection of the many hues of greens and yellows, broken up by a cloudy celestial blue sky on this intimate canal scene.

Cozy autumn day at the North Sea

Gezelig najaars dag aan de Noorde Zee, DH
oil on canvas
30 x 150 cm
painted on location - Thurs 2 Sept 2010 -  SOLD

Painted at my favorite and most convenient location, South Beach, The Hague. Here you have a clear example that indeed never the same situation twice whilst painting at the seaside. It may repeat itself, but never quite the same. Very little wind to speak about. Soft gentle rolling waves, breaking with the slightest of ease. Two sailboats, two oil tankers, and a yellow bouy. Just enough information to not disturb the ever present tranquility and space this scene has to offer. As it is difficult for me to provide a very sharp image, re the digital photogragh, I felt the need to provide you with these details.

The lonewolf Catamaran, South Beach, The Hague

Catamaran, die zijn eigen weg gaat, Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas
50 x 60 cm
painted on location - Tuesday 24 August 2010  SOLD


Oh, don't I feel this way, most of the time. Accept for my lovely daughter and my deceased mother, no woman to speak about in my life. As an artist, one must endure the fate of the lonewolf. Away from the pack, facing the pearls and pleasures of Nature by oneself. Yes dear art lovers, the artist life is not always a jeux de vivere affair, in fact it is quite the opposite. I usually am painting on my own, usually am in the studio on my own, at the computer on my own, the fate of 21st century artist I suppose. Andy Wahrol had a solution, he invented the concept of transforming the studio into a factory, with several assistants.

Anyway, enough of that, let me share some quotes that I feel give some insights into this painting.

"The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible." (Oscar Wilde)

"I am inspired when the elements and forces of nature combine to form strange and transcendental appearances.....sometimes subtle sometimes dynamic, they act as portals to a mystical realm." (Diana Lehr)

"Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in fain."
( Carl Jung)

There was something about the sky that I could not give words to, until I read that quote from Oscar Wilde.
Same goes for the second quote, although I would like to add that I was definitely inspired by the dynamic forces of nature at play in this scene.
I love the third quote. As a painter I have learned to trust were/what my hands will do whilst at the easel. Seems they have an intelligence of there own!

Thank you to whomever owns this catamaran for leaving it marooned on the beach like that. Thank you to Leo, the owner of strandpavilijon De Fute, for providing me shelter in order to make this painting. And lastly, thank you to all of you who take the time out to enjoy and read these Wet Paintings from The Lowlands postings.

A tranquil moment by the Sea

Een doorluchtig moment op strand
oil on canvas
30 x 150 cm
painted on location - Sunday 8 August 2010   -    SOLD

Painted nearly 3 weeks ago, don't I wish the situation was like this right now. Oh well, can't have everything I supppose. One of the reasons why plein-air paintings are appreciated so much, is that in fact, they do capture and when successful, sustain that moment in time, forever. Will, let me be more accurate, for as long as that painting lasts. It is the responsibility of the artist to insure longevity, and you can rest assured that il pittore, attends to this. With a brisk wind, I had my parasol laying flat on the beach, thus keeping this canvas from taking flight. Thousands of very fine particals of sand made the surface of this painting their place of residence. I'm not at all disturbed by this, in fact find it fits in with the theme.

Mother and child greeting the North Sea

Moeder en kind begroeten het Noord Zee
oil on canvas
30 x 150 cm
painted on location - Wed 11 August 2010 -  SOLD

Forces of Mother Nature can at times feel overwhelming, leaving the observer with a non-hospitable welcome. In this case the wind rustles softly through the hair of a mother and her child. It is a warm vigorous wind, filling ones lungs with goodness and life. In the secure grip of her Mothers hand, the child finds confidence and strenght in facing what could be a perlious situation to such a tender aged bundle of joy. Summer is coming to a close, the Earth is distancing herself from the Sun. The warm rays of that life supporting Astral star still shine, but the touch of them on ones bare skin is lessening. This scene needed something to calm it down. The Creative Intelligence abounding everywhere, (and I mean everywhere), quickly responded and gifted il pittore with a most delicate and colorfull reply. Interesting to note, according to Goethe and other esteemed Germans, such as Franz Marc, yellow is emotionally symbloic of serenity!

Sunday in the Park, Apeldoorn

Zondag en 't Park Marialust, Apeldoorn
oil on canvas,30 x 90 cm
painted on location - Sunday 15 August 2010
SOLD

The chamber ensemble, Dudok Kwartet, plays to a delighted audience. In the background an elegant 19th century villa, embraced by an array of splendid naturel beauty. A man selling ice cream, tasty sandwiches being prepaired by the cooks assistant, as you can see he was more interested in listening to the music,(check him out, he is propped against the left front pole of the small tent). This scene was hard to pass up for il pittore, who was taking part in a local painters festival, which took place here in the fertile Marialust Park, in Apeldoorn. I was told there would be a preformance of classical music, coming from the large party tent, thus, one and a half hours before the concert started, I began working on this painting. The pre-work paid off, as when the crowds gathered, it became a matter of working them into the already painted-in composition. This technique is commonly referred to as wet-on-wet, fresh paint applied to non dry paint. Yes folks, I don't call my blog, 'Wet Paintings from The Lowlands' for nothing.

Path in the dunes, Summer Splendor

Pad naar de Noord Zee, Westduinpark, DH, Zomers Schoonheid
oil on canvas
60 x 90 cm (nice size, not too big and not small)
painted on location - Thursday 29 July 2010

Painted over, no longer exists.

Welcome back to all you that were on vacation. As you can see, provided the right conditions, you have all the wonders of Natures' beauty, right at your doorstep (that is provided you live in The Lowlands!). So next year, get yourself a good pair of hiking shoes, or a decent touring bicycle (feits in Dutch), and enjoy what beauty that can befall your eyes, right here in Holland. Of course the food is not as good and affordable as you could find in Italy or France. However, when your camping, or staying at a bungalow park, along the North Sea coast, with a bit of creativity and the right ingredients, you can easily cook up a tasty pasta dish. Back to the painting, bright sunny day with scrumptious fluffy clouds, casting shadows, creating the right contrasts, in order for you the viewer to easily digest this colorfull visual display, on a splendid summers day.



Just for your interest, the same scene painted this yaer in the winter

Sailing the North Sea

Bij de wind zeilen, Noord Zee
oil on canvas
30 x 60 cm
painted on location - Saturday 24 July 2010

SOLD

Here I am, back in the Lowlands, visiting what now has become my painters paradise, here on planet Earth. And why shouldn't it be? Racing clouds, shipshafting before my very eyes, forming unimaginable shapes. Hues on the sea, dancing around like some drunken old time hip hop babe. Sailboats parading up and down the coast, as if walking the catwalk in the extravagent Paris Hilton. Yes folks, if your not a seasoned outdoor painter, don't even think about setting up on this neck of the woods. The visuals will tear you inside out. Me, I just love it. The faster things change before my eyes, the easier it is to paint. Actually what drives me up the wall is static objects. Take buildings for example, e-e-each! What nothing changes, .... Christ were do I begin? Thank God for the shifting light conditions, that is, if the Sun is shinning. Well, I might have gone overboard on this description! Oh well, just take in a deep breath, have a look, and inhale those salty fragrances from these fridged waters, and feel that granduer and sublimity?

Sperlonga, Italy and view from

Straatje met ophangende was, Sperlonga, Italiaoil on gessoed wooden panel
13 x 18 cm ( postcard size)
painted on location - Thurs 15 July 2010

Private collection, Sora, Italy

During my stay in Italy, I was taken twice to this seaside resort village. Well known by your average Italian, but I bit there are not more than a 3 people from my mailing list that know of this medieval hilltop town, engulfed by pretty beachs! It's almost 40 degrees in the sun, too hot to even think, let alone consider doing any sort of physical labour. I make my way through the ancient narrow streets which seem to be carved right out of the mountain side in which the village is wrapped around. Find a spot still fresh as the Sun never shines directly on this stairway. I am inspired by the colors of the wash hanging between the houses, and the contrasr of light and dark, caused by the shadows. After completing the above painting I proceeded up the steps which can be seen to the left of the image, and was taken by surprise with this delightfull view, looking North along the seaside. Yes the charm of Sperlonga, is a must, to be experienced. Located on the beach are the remains of one of the many Summer Villa's of Roman Emperor Tiberius (AD 14-37).




Gezicht vanaf Sperlonga
oil on gessoed wooden panel
13 x 18 cm (postcard size)
painted on location - Thurs 15 July 2010

private collection

Father and Child in olive grove, Sora, Italy

Olijfbomen, Sora, Italia
oil on gessoed board
13 x 18 cm
painted on location - Thurs 8 July 2010
SOLD

Finding myself visiting with relatives in my home town of Sora, Frosinone, which is located just under Rome, off the main highway heading towards Naples. This scene is actually located at the back of the house were I was lodging. The figures, Father and child were painted in intentionally. The third figure, presumably the mother, springing out of the tree behind the father, , happened purely by coincidence, and actually was pointed out to me by a female cousin somedays later.

Catamarans, South Beach, The Hague

Gezicht op Zuiderstrand met Catamaranen, Den Haag
oil on canvas, 70 x 50 cm
painted on location - Friday 2 July 2010  SOLD

Back on the internet ladies and gentlemen, after a 2 week holiday with my daughter in Italy. Visiting with relatives that live in a mountainous region, North of Naples, South of Rome. Here you have the result of the last painting I made just before leaving. It is relatively quite on the beach, for such a lovely summers day. Most people here in The Lowlands where busy watching Holland defeat Brazil in the quater finals of the WK 2010. As a hommage to the National Dutch team, you guessed it, I intentionally added a touch of orange here and there! Unusual format for a seascape, but I found it worked well due to the long vertical masts attached to the sailing vessels. Again the Dutch skies are always a delight to paint. A slight hint of water on the bottom left. I actually was keeping cool in the warm heat, by having my bare feet submerged under the refreshing salty waters of The North Sea. A close up for your viewing pleasure.

Path in the dunes, with horse trail

Pad in de duinen, met paard, Noordwijk Aan Zee.oil on canvas
40 x 30 cm
painted on location - Saturday 26 June 2010
SOLD



Back to a theme I love to paint, 'paths in the dunes'. I love that this is pretty well an all natural situation. Apart from the metal wires running between the wooden poles, nature dominates everywhere. You can clearly see that we are having exceptionally warm weather here, with plenty of sunshine. Riders on their horses pass this way on a regular basis, taking their beloved four legged friends for a cool workout on the beach just over the top of the hill.