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.