Corn bridge by night, Leiden

Koornbrug 's nachts, Leiden
oil on canvas
18 x 24 cm
painted on location, (in the rain) - Thurs 25 Feb 2010


You might have to tilt your screen a little to have a good look at this one! I happened to find a dry spot under another brige that afforded me this spectacular view, at waters level. As I was feeling a little down, just had to get out and make a painting. Dispite the rain and the fact that it was already 7pm in the evening, I decided to head out to a favorite spot in Leiden, hoping to be cheered up, as I had so many fond memories of my recent painting experiences their. I've attached the painting I made in Nov 2007, from the balcony that is visible above the row of lit windows, directly above the rightside of the covered bridge(see above painting). Thus under the right side of the bridge, featured in the bottom painting, is a boardwalk, which allowed me to sit up and make this evening painting!

Waal River #2,Tiel

De Waal Bij Tiel
oil on canvas
18 x 24 cm
painted on location - Wed 17 Feb 2010


This actually was the first painting made at this location. The barge in this image, is moving much slower, as it is carrying its load. A thin layer of snow is still visible on the dike.

Waal river, near Tiel

Schuit aan De Waal, Tiel
oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Wed 17 Feb 2010


This painting really falls in with the theme of this blog. Water everywhere, the moisture is so thick I can feel it cooling my bones, even with 3 layers of clothing on. This river is the main distribuary branch of the Rhine, one of Europe's most important rivers. Originating from various sources in the Alps, it is just amazing the volume this river carries, an average discharge of more than 71,000 cu ft/s (I believe the s stands for the time configuration, a second!)

I and two other painters were invited to a paint out, hosted by my friends, Leida and Sylvester, we all had a nice day. Arriving at this location, just after 12pm, I thought to myself, what could I make of this dull overcast Benelux grey situation? I was taken by the traffic flow of all these barges, going in both directions. Of course I spiced up the colors somewhat, and I choose not to paint every crest of wave but for the rest, what you see is pretty much accurate.

Had fun painting this barge, check out the flags.

Path to the North Sea, Westduinpark #3/2010

Pad naar Strand, Aanslag #10, Den Haag
oil on canvas
18 x 30 cm - (7 x 12 inches)
painted on location - Mon 8 Feb 2010  SOLD


On the way back to my camper, just after finishing the painting I made on the previous posting, I was struck by this scene on a path I've been arduously dragging my gear, back and forth to the North Sea, for years now. For some reason this scene finally inspired me. It allowed for me to be with my feelings of inertia, isolation and solitutde. Something that's been nagging away at me, like an undesired leech who's crept it's way inside my body, draining me of my vital blood. The dull overcast sky, hanging around, not doing much, combined with the gentle saturated earthly tones, also just hanging around, yet delicately coloring the sleepy flora, spoke to me. It described visually the somberness of my emotional state. To personnal to write about, and I'm sure it wouldn't interest you anyway. However, just like the flickers of the welcomed innocent white snow scattered about, adds beauty and wonder to this otherwise unlively composition. For me, the snow symbolizes hope, which, as long as one keeps moving, may be found just around the next bend.

Winters Magic on South Beach, The Hague #2

Winters charme Zuiderstrand, DH #2
oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Monday 8 Feb 2010



A better title for this could be, La voce del silenzio , (The voice of stillness) . A very atmospherical rendering of a dull situation, I would say. Saturated soft pastel hues, a sense of solitude, ample space, breath of fresh cold damp air, the sound of the waves caressing the sands, seagulls floating in the air. Who needs to see all that mass of steel on the horizon anyway (Europort, world headquarters of Shell Oil).

For your viewing pleasure, a detail.

Panoramic view of North Sea #1/2010

Met Kustwachter naar Scheveningense Haven
oil on canvas
30 x 80 cm
painted on location - Wed 3 Feb 2010


This work was made immediately after Path to Sea #2. I walked down to the beach and set up about 30 meters from the shoreline. With a pretty high wind factor, I had to get low, thus painted on my knees. Am revisting a theme which I find fascinating, the Sea and the Sky. Never repeating itself, changing It's appearance by the second. I must be crazy. Were do I find the drive to do this? It must be a mystery. Somethings are not meant to be questioned I suppose. I'm going to leave you with a few wise words written by a not so well known German thinker of the 20th Century.

What it is....

It is senseless, says Reason,
It is what it is, says Love.

It is misfortune, says Calculation,
It is nothing but pain, says Fear.
It is without a chance says Insight,
It is what it is, says Love.

It is ridiculous, says Pride,
It is foolish, says Caution,
It is impossible says Experience.

It is what it is, says Love.

Erich Fried (1924 - 1988)

I guess maybe that sums it up. My inspiration for painting.

On another subject......
Congradulations to all you Lovers out there, I wish my match would show up.

Path to the North Sea, Westduinpark #2/2010

Op Pad naar de Noord Zee #2/2010
oil on canvas
18 x 30 cm
painted on location - Wed 3 Feb 2010 SOLD

In an overpopulated country, this view can afford a troubled and overworked mind the oppurtunity to appreciate a simple, yet non-the-less, breathtaking glimpse of the wonderous world we habitate. We don't have mountains, we don't have canyons, we don't have lush vegetation, here in The Lowlands. But what we do have is the North Sea, which embraces an extended coastal line overlapped by multitudes of plants. Shrubs, trees, and wild flowers, serve to bind together this natural habitat. Not only does this gift the eye with splendid vistas to digest, more importantly, it is this countries dominant landmark, without which, half of this humble country would be engulfed in the North Sea's frigid salty waters.