A Park with A View, #2, Westduinpark, The Hague

Gezicht op de NoordZee, Westduinpark, DH
oil on canvas, 50 x 150 cm
Tues 13 Dec 2011
SOLD

A rather large format to be working in the open air, alla Plein-air as the French would say. But with the help of a 3 meter parasol, layed on the ground, in the direction of the wind, it is possible! The same view as the previous posting, however set myself up a little closer to that path leading to the beach entrance. Actually it was very cloudy behind me, but now and again the sunlight would break through, and that is what interested me, thus that's what I paintied. Those two feathered friends seemed to be enjoying the wind, as they and others just kept hovering back and forth, across my view span.

A Park with A View, #1, The North Sea

Gezicht op de NoordZee, Westduinpark, Den Haag
oil on canvas, 40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Monday 5 Dec 2011
SOLD

I was thinking of calling this work, 'Homage to the Trees and Rose Bushes, Westduin Park, The Hague'. You see my friends, as I was making this painting, just about 60 meters over my left shoulder, trees were being cut down! And not only that, DEAR READERS, all those lovely warm hues on this canvas, Wild Rose bushes, well, they also gotta go! Hey, what can I say that Joni Mitchelll hasn't already said more than 25 yrs ago,....YOU TAKE PARADISE AND YOU PUT UP A PARKING LOT! Not too worry, it won't be that bad, Thank God! Just they,..... concerned, educated, elected, Aldermans from The Hague, want only wild grass growing in these dunes! The way they were meant to be, I suppose? In these days of Finacial Crisis, I find it rather disturbing. Economical Cutbacks everywhere, workers pensions being curbed, less funds available for education and health,....but spending more than 3 million euros to cut down trees seems OK. Go figure that out!
Back to the painting. Had it not been for my trustworthy 3 meter parasol, which I use as a wind breaker, it would have been impossible to work on location! It was a feast for the eyes, but my bones were chilled!

Olive tree grove with picker, Abruzzo, Italy

Olijfbomen met plukker, Abruzzo, Italie
oil on canvas
40 x 30 cm
painted on location -
San Vincenzo Vecchio, Valle Roveto, Aq. Abruzzo, 17 11 2011

Not for sale

Here you have yet another painting from my recent sojourn in Italy. The person shown happens to be the woman with whom I'm having a wonderful relationship these days! She accopmanied me on this trip, had a great time admist the spectacular natural setting, housing these highly productive olive trees. Of course we also had the privilege of sampling the fine foods that were prepared with the freshly pressed olives.

As you can see from this photo, I paint what lies before me, however the model is not visible as she was the one who took this picture! It was indeed a pleasure to have a lot of Sunlight, it really lit up the autumn colors, in the valley.

Olive tree wih pickers, Abruzzi, Italy

Olijfboom met plukkers, Abruzzi, Italie
oil on canvas
20 x 20 cm - (8 x 8 inches)
painted on location - Fri 18 Nov 2011
Near San Vincenzo Vecchio, Valle Roveto, Abruzzo)
SOLD

One of four paintings made on my recent sojourn to visit family, paint in this lush natural environment and help out with the olive harvest. Here you have featured three workers, two on the tree, and the third on the ground with only his legs visible. A traditional method of raking(yellow objects held in hand) the olives off the branches is employed, this results in no damage to the olive, thus a better quality olive oil! The olives fall onto the emarld green net which is spread generously under the tree. They are then gathered, by hand, and placed into heavy linen sacks, which are then taken for further sortation. The rest of the trees in the valley are in full autumn colors, thus the hints of warm hues in the background.

View of the 'ZANDMOTOR' Project, from Kijkduin

Gezicht op de 'ZANDMOTOR', Kijkduin, NL
oil on canvas
30 x 80 cm
painted on location - Thurs 10 Oct 2011 


Dear Readers, Here you have a view of the latest extension to our small yet powerfull country, here in The Lowlands! This man made peninsula, has been created to further continue the growth of South Beach, The Hague. The natural erosion of the peninsula, due to the waves, will transport the sand to the beach, thus preventing it (South Beach), from being washed away, due to threatening future storms! That, my friends, is the theory, now I guess we'll get to see if it actually works. I'm sure it will, as Dutch Landscape Engineering, is superb! It is still not ready for beach goers to walk out on the Zandmotor, as the works still continue to this day, however, just like that elderly couple are taking in the view, one can get a good look at it from Kijkduin. On the horizon a cargo ship approaching the harbour of Rotterdam.

Autumn splendor in Bergen, NH #1

Herfst gezicht en 't bos Bergen, NH
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Tues 25 Oct 2011
SOLD

As I don't want to flood your mail box with my postings, (like to keep it at an average of 2.5 per week), am taking my time with this series made in Bergen, during the Kunst10Daagse. This is actually the 1st painting of that body of work. Setting up my gear in the rain, at a location I was familiar with (made a 30 x 80cm ptg of same scene last year), this natural canal scene was created. Orderly rows of mature Hazelnut trees, in autumn colours, walking paths carpeted with fallen leafs of warm hues, enough inspiration to get my creative juices flowing.

Autumn splendor in Bergen, NH #2

Herftse Sfeer in Bergen, NH #2
oil on canvas
50 x 70 cm
painted on location - Wed 26 Oct 2011
€ 700

You might recognize that this is the same view as last posting, only painted from about 25 meters further away. The sky was much more dramatic as you can see, and at times, sunlight did burst through the thick layer of the volumous clouds. This is probably the best time of the year to be making these village scenes. I especially like the coloration of the leafs, as they are making their last attempt to get some recognition of their unique beauty, before they detach themselves from their life hosting source, Mother Nature!

Autumn splendor in Bergen, NH

Breelaan, Bergen NH, met herfst sfeer
oil on canvas
50 X 40cm
painted on location - Sun. 30 Oct 2011 (as can be verified by the photo below)
SOLD

Like I mentioned on my previous posting, have been busy painting in Bergen, NH. With the Kunst10daagse taking place, a major Art event here in The Lowlands, il pittore, went on location, to promote his work, and capture the warm colors of the autumn atmosphere. The road leads to a market scene, crowded with people walking about, and of course, typical of Holland, a couple of bicycle riders. Last year I was also painting near to this location, if you like to check those painting out, and other works I made in Bergen, then just go to my blog, (link below on signature), and klick the label, village scene, on the right coloum.

Beach house, Bergen aan Zee

Strandpavijlion, Bergen aan Zee
oil on wood, 10 x 40 x 4 cm
painted on location - Wed 26 Oct 2011
SOLD

Have been painting in Bergen NH for 2 days, as the Kunst10Daagse is taking place, and the energy is fantastic! Creativity flowing around that town like crazy. Made four paintings in two days. The other works are of village scenes and an autumn forest view. A most picturesque village, once was home to some very famous Dutch artist's and still today, housing various well known persons from the Arts, here in The Lowlands. This is a rather small piece, however offering an enormous amount of space, and ready to hang.

The North Sea, clouds and shadow

de Noord Zee
oil on canvas
60 x 70 cm
painted on location - Wed 22 June 2011 and June 2012     (no longer exists!)

Why I'm posting this work now and not earlier, God only knows! Painted during the Noordwijk Painters Festival, one of 4 paintings I made that day, and let me tell you, what a day it was!!! Have a look at the picture below, that's me working on this very painting. I even made the National News here in The Lowlands that day. Rain, wind, Sun, more wind, less rain, more Sun, then no Sun, and more high winds,... as you can clearly see in the painting, Dutch clouds were the order of the day, and taking advantage of this were the hard core kitesurfers. Not like most of the other painters that day, who stayed indoors, I braved the elements, mind you I did position myself next to a beach cafe, thus somewhat protected from the wind. As a result, the freelance photographer, Johan Westra, who was looking for subjects to shoot, found me.

South Beach, DH (View of)

Gezicht van Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas, 20 x 140 cm
painted on location - Sat 1 Oct 2011
SOLD

Here in The Lowlands, we just came out of an unexpected but, indeed, welcomed heat wave. I made it to the beach on two occasions, this being the result of the second visit. It was early Saturday morning, the light was soft yet intense. Vapor was so thick, that at times the horizon line was not even visible! On this occasion, I felt inspired to capture the whole sceneat hand. Thus starting with the dunes on the left, I brought them to the vanishing point, somewhere right of center. Beach sand from left to right, covering almost the whole area of the bottm half. A hint of the horizon line and, well, just about 67 billion litres of Sea water covers a very small portion of the right side of the canvas! On the details below, you see the entrance to the beach, above the temporary beach cafe 'DeKwartel', then a view of the Atlantic Hotel, hardly visible because of the mist, finally the water with some persons strolling about.

Autumn splendor in Delft

Herfst sfeer te Delft
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Sat 24 Sept 2011

SOLD

While paying a visit to a gallery owner that represents some of my work, (located next to that red building on the right). I couldn't resist making this little scene of the situation at hand. A very playful treatment of brush and paint on a canvas that already had a light burgundy reddish tint, thus you see that coming through, especially on the lower left and bottom of canvas.

Footprints on the beach, South Beach, DH

Vertical NoordZeegezicht #6, met catamaran
oil on canvas
80 x 60 cm - (31.5 x 24 inches, thus a fair size!)
painted on location - Fri 23 Sept 2011, re-worked in studio, Mon 26 Sept 2011  -  SOLD


Here you have yet another vertical format seascape, however this time not so extreme with the verticalness! I had to do quite some work to this scene, in my studio. Still fresh with the memory of the situation, and of course how could I not remember what that strech of beach looks like, after all these years! Thanks to a few days of high winds, and some very hard crashing breaking waves, the shoreline begins to take on a natural flavor. Personally I like it better this way. So much re-ordering of things (the Dutch love to do this) has taken place on this beach, it was looking too neat for sometime. A lovely day for sailing, and taking a stroll on the beach, thus evidence of both appear on the canvas. If you look close enough, you will see the chap on the cat! If you don´t know it yet, you can click on the image to see it enlarged.

Vertical North Seascape # 5

Verticaal vlak, Noordzee # 5
oil on canvas
80 x 30 cm
painted on location - Fri 16 Sept 2011

SOLD

Capturing the Dutch light at Sea, seems to be becoming a new theme for me. What is interesting for me, is that I can really get those clouds down on the surface of the canvas. And what is of interest for you, is the unusual format of this series. Allowing the possibility to create space in those dead end corners of your living quarters. As these canvases take up much more hieght than width, the possibilities are unique.

The red beach towel

't rode strandhanddoek
oil on canvas, 150 x 30cm
painted on location - Fri 16 Sept 2011


Here is something different, for a change! Up to now have made these so called, 'vertical format seascapes' a modest hieght of 100cm. As most of you know, Holland is re-knowned for its lovely clouds. Well, with this format, I have choosen to focus the attention to the them, by covering most of the surface of the canvas with sky. Again, as taking pictures of these format paintings does not justify the details


Just to give you an idea of the size of this painting!

View of Scheveningen from Wassenaarseslaag

Gezicht op Scheveningen vanaf Wassenaarseslaag
oil on canvas
20 x 50 cm - (8 x 20 inches)
painted on location - Wed. 14 Sept 2011
no longer exists

Yes folks that's sand you see on the surface of this canvas! With a very non hospitable wind force, I still decided to tackled this scene. Setting up my gear about 8 meters from the shoreline, I got down low, thus worked on my knees. This was the 2nd painting made, both excuted as quickly as possible, as the sand found its way into my eye sockets as well. Very irritating let me tell you! When I started painting there was much more blue sky, as you will see in the next posting. I felt confident enough to knock off this little canvas, even though the sky was showing signs of rain. It eventually did start pouring down on me I carried on working for about 7 minutes but had no choice but to pack up.

Chilling out on a sunny beach

Geneiten van strand leven, WAZ
oil on canvas, 50 x 120 cm painted on location - 25 May 2011 (reworked in the studio, 8 Sept 2011)  -  SOLD


Well as I look out my window right now, it is pouring down cats and dogs! The wind is slightly bending over trees, thus not too threatening, but just altogether unpleasant weather..... Todays posting was made on a pleasant spring day, with obviously comfortably warm temperatures, and a refreshing breeze to caress the warmed up exposed flesh of these sun bathers. Funny I never posted this work up to now, as I felt it was not complete. However, after straightening out the horizon line and adding a few more tints of Royal Blue Light to the sky, I felt confident to make this painting available to the public. The detail below shows just how loosely the brush work on this canvas was applied. I really was surprised with the twisting motion of that topless woman featured at the bottom center. Sometimes the brush does things that you coudn't achieve, even if you try. An amazing experience, as the result occurs merely by the intention, and not so by the willing physical actions of the painter.

Misty Panoramic Seascape, South Beach

Mistig zeegezicht met zachte luct
oil on canvas, 30 x 150 cm
painted on location - Fri 2 Sept 2011
SOLD

Struck by a sudden heat wave, here in The Lowlands, the atmospheric conditions took some time to get adjusted. This caused for much moisture to get trapped between the sea's surface and the cooler temperatures soaring high in the sky. The effect was pleasant and interesting enough to capture on canvas, thus il pittore packed his gear and headed out to his favorite spot on Zuiderstrand, The Hague. Characterized by soft breaking waves, and a hardly visible horizon line, this scene was colorfully accented with the depiction of a few sailboats, three persons and a dog.
Again, as it is extremely difficult to get a sharp image on these large panoranic paintings, two close ups for your viewing pleasure.

A Calming Sea view with yellow bouy

Rustgevend zee met gele boui
oil on canvas
20 x 140 cm
painted on location - Thurs 25 August 2011



You come home from a rough day at the office. You battle your way through heavy traffic on the motorway. You turn on the tube, and all you see is violence and mostly disturbing situations. What the hell, is it all coming to, you ask......Well, the good news is, there is still hope, there is still sanity, if all you will do, is look for it...... Il pittore makes it his business to look for it. But not only that..... to record it and to bring it into your home, is what il pittores mission in life has proven to be. Is there some value in this? I certainly think so, and if only you will allow yourself the luxury of re-experiencing that perfect moment, in time and space, that il pittore experienced, on location, with his paints and canvas, you might find that your own being would benefit from his efforts.

A very pretty Dutch boat, Markdal, Breda

Eve pauze, aan de water, Markdal, Ginneken, Breda
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Sun. 21 Aug 2011

SOLD

Here we are, back in Holland! The scene depicted is of a very pretty Dutch boat, secured on the banks of an iner city water-way, part of the nature reserve, Markdal near Breda. I was invited to paint, along with others, as part of Zomersfestival Breda 2011. Upon arrival on this Nature reserve my eyes were immediately drawn to this serene and tranquil scene. I liked most of all the reflections on the water, but that boat......., Is that not a work of craftmanship or what? The flag and the couple seated next to it, add nice accents to an already picture perfect scene. Couldn't pass it up, thus, gave it my best shot!

The Charm of France # 1

De betoveren van Frankrijk # 1, Ainay-le-Chateau, Cher
oil on canvas
50 x 40 cm
painted on location - Thurs 4 Aug 2011
SOLD

Not far from the fields were I painted those grazing cattle, on my 8 day sorjourn in France, is located this quaint Medieval village called, Ainay-le-Chateau. It is late in the morning, the Sunlight is just making its presence on the scene, thus bringing to life the gay colors on the buildings facade. A most picturesque clock tower, which at one time had the function of protecting the dwellers of this village from intruding vagrants and other unwanted guests! Although they don't have a dominant role in my paintings, I always like to include people. Thus a close-up, uncase you missed them!

Limousin cattle grazing, Cher, France

Limousin Vee graast, Cher, Frankrijk
oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm
painted on location - thurs 4 August 2011
SOLD

The boy in the blue shirt, most likely the farmers son, is slightly bent over, having a few words of consulation with his pet Labrador puppy. The cattle still taking advantage of the wet due engulfed around every single blade of grass, on this will maintained field of emerald green. Here, on this small piece of rural earth, Life is unfolding the way it should be. Located in the department of Cher, France, almost in the middle of this country of gentle rolling hills. Il pittore, on target, doing his thing, captures a moment of sublime tranquility, a moment of innocent beauty. The lighting conditions are exceptionally perfect, at this hour of the day. The cattle are by now used to me, as this field is directly across the dirt road, were I painted the lovely Charolais cattle, in the previous 2 mornings.

Charolais Cattle Grazing 2 , Central France

Charolais Vee graast 2, Bessais le Fromental, Cher, Frankrijk
oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm
painted on location - 2 Aug 2011
SOLD

Same field as the last posting, yet some differences. It was painted more or less at the same time of day, yet the cattle are arranged differently, and the view of the feild is slightly seen from further away. It was not easy for me to capture the correct porportions of the cattle. As I refuse to work from pictures, I had to quickly paint them in, and beleive you me, more cows were erased or reworked than you actually see on the finished work.

Charolais Cattle, Bessais le Fromental, France

Charolais Vee graast, Bessais le Fromental, Cher, Frankrijk
oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Sun 31 July 2011
SOLD


Finding myself amidst these lovely gentle creatures, whilst they went about their business of grazing the green grasses of these unspoiled rolling hills here in the pristine countryside of Cher, France, (about 3 hrs drive s. of Paris). I felt moved to apply the colors of my palet on canvases, I had taken with me, from my studio in The Hague. I was taking part in an Art week held at a Buddhist retreat centre called, AmidaFrance. To capture those shadows I was on location at about 0745hrs. It felt good to show up for breakfast with already a canvas completed! Here below a detail of this breed of cattle. As I don't work from pictures, you can see that the paint is applied rather swiflty.

View from the island Panarea, Sicily

Gezicht vanaf de eiland Panarea, Sicilia
oil on 3 wood panels
10 x 45 cm
painted on location - 13 July 2011

Private collection-Panarea

Will dear reader, as is clearly evident, this is absolutely not a view off the coast of The North Sea! Finding myself on a short vacation, on this exotic tiny island, off the coast of N/E Sicily, part of the archipelago, Eolian Islands, I managed to get a couple of small paintings done. In the distance, that triangular shaped island is actually an active vulcano, called Stromboli. Every evening one gets an astonishing display of lava bursting high (200 meters) into the sky, causing one to witness, a spectacle of Nature rarely seen. From the distance shown on the painting, one sees an intense light of orange/red, coming from the top left side of the peak, as if a gigantic light bulb is being switched on and off. Closer in view, is the uninhabited island of Basiluzzo. A favorite location for yachts and pleasure boats to anchor and enjoy the crystal clear waters and take in the natural beauty of the rocky cliffs, eroded over the centuries by both wind and water.

Here below I include 2 pictures of a work I made in 1988. It is an areal view of the islands between Panarea and Stromboli. It measures 110 x 160 cm, and is on display in the lobby of the luxurious, Hotel Cincotta.

A pleasant summers day on the Beach

Gezellig zomers dag an het strand, Noordwijk Aan Zee
oil on canvas
60 x 120 cm (24 x 47 inches)
painted on location - 5 July 2011

private collection, Noordwijk

I was asked to make this painting during the painters festival 2 weeks ago. However it was not realized until yesterday, as the weather was not at all cooperative. The location is Noordwijk, I was sit up directly in front of the luxurious Huis ter Duin Hotel, next to the catamarans. The landmark lighthouse stands stalwart and proud on the extreme right side of the canvas. The water was obviously a treat for people to cool off in the warm summer temperatures. Not a bad location to enjoy a hot summers day!

Beach scene with Kite Surfers

Strandgezicht met 'Kite surfers', Noordwijk
oil on canvas
50 x 70 cm
painted on location - Fri 24 June 2011  -  SOLD

Just back from a week painting on location, in Noordwijk Aan Zee, as a participant of the Schildersfestival, (painters festival). This is one of 21 paintings that I made in 7 days! Fortunately, I managed to sell 19 of them! They ranged in size from 10 x 15 cm up to 60 x 120 cm. We had very high winds for six days in a row! Believe me after a while your ears start ringing, and fine sand particals seem to like finding locations on your body to take refuge form the tormenting force of the swift flowing air! This work was created next to my own 3 meter parasol which I layed on the sand and attached to a pole. Thus barracading the easel and myself from the wind and rain!

View of The North Sea Regatta

Gezicht op de Noord Zee Regatta
oil on canvas
50 x 40 cm
painted on location - Sunday 12 June 2011

SOLD

The view point is beach entrance(strandslag) number 10, Westduinpark, The Hague. The horizon line was literally dotted with hundreds of sailboats of all sizes. Must have been a superb day to sail, as the wind was quite strong. Fascinating color displays on the surface of the water, as the clouds kept blocking the suns light, thus creating all sorts of longated patterns on the 'Sea of Green'. Approximately 20 mintes after I finished this painting, the sky in view, was completely overcast with a thich layer of clouds causing the waters surface to tranform into a dull Benelux grey. It is hard to see on this digital representation of the oil painting, but I have indicated these clouds coming in, as one can see by the rough brush work on the top left of the canvas.

Sailing in the Rain, South Beach, DH

Zeelen tijdens 't regent, Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas
40 x 100 cm
painted on location - Sunday 05 June 2011

SOLD

You might be curious as to how I got that painted on location, whilst it was raining! Will thanks to the sailing clubhouse The Hague, I was able to sit up next to the building, which protected me from the rain. It was just a slight drizzle, on and off, actually, thus not a threatening situation. I rather like the mood that the sea gives off on these sumber days. All those variations of benelux greys, at times, give one a rather calming soothing affect. Certainly not the least bit unpleasant to appreciate. Also I enjoyed painting the wet sand. Of course I gave myself some artistic freedom with the colors scheme, but what the hell, I'm in the business of creating beauty, not ugliness.

Wind Force 7, The North Sea

Windkracht 7, 't NoordZee
oil on canvas
100 x 30 cm
painted on location, Friday 27 May 2011

SOLD

As a colleague of mine commented, a bit of a Japanese influence on this seascape, re the format. I wasn't thinking about that when I made this work. Just wanted to get some painting done, on a day which was totally inhospitable to a plein air painter, thus had to sit up on the terrace shown on the previous posting, protected by the glass panels. A friendly price, as this is a 1st, working on such a format. A little feedback would be nice, thanks.

Beach Cafe scene, North Zee

Op terras bij strandpavilijon 'De Kust', Wijk Aan Zee
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Tues 24 May 2011


Well here I am back on the coast, and let me tell you,...what a windy coast line it has been, here in The Lowlands! Finding myself at Wijk Aan Zee as a participant of the annual painters festival,"Ezels&Kwasten", this is the 1st of 7 paintings made in 4 days! The light was fantastic and as you can see plays a major role in the formation of this colorful terrace scene. Proteced by those glass panels, guests of the cafe and myself were able to enjoy the fresh sea air, without being hendered by the wind. If you look at the red banner flag, just behind the glass panel, (extreme right side of painting), you will get an indication of the force of the wind.

Here below you have the scene of the continuation of this terrace. Painted a couple of days later, with more or less the same windy atmospheric conditions. This painting was sold within a matter of hours, to a local couple who frequent this cafe, and usually occupy this corner table of the terrace, while having drinks.
(Just a reminder....by klicking on the paintings,You can have a more detailed look at them.)

Den Bosch, On a sunny day

Gezicht op Lepelstraat, Den Bosch
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Sat. 21 May 2011


Last week I participated in a plein air painters festival in this well maintained old city, here in the Lowlands. Normally this scene would be not interesting to paint, but with the high contrasts afforded by the shadows, thanks to the sunlight, it becomes a feast for the painters eyes. I cleverly sit up under a parasol, thus on the shadey side. Only problem was, the terrace was going to open up to the public in 1hr and 20 minutes! I took the challenge, and don't know what you think, but I am pleased with the result. (tip..... never start painting on a completely white canvas, this canvas already had the dark background)

St. Joris Café, The Hague, (Postcard size #1)

Cafe Sint Joris, Den Haag, Kleine
oil on wood panel
10 x 15 cm
painted on location - Wed 11 May 2011


Just keeping busy with small format city scenery, prepairing myself for a plein air painting festival in Den Bosch starting today, until next Sunday 22 May. The theme of this festival will be City life, and what better way to pass away a good time with friends than sitting at a quaint terrace with a cold pint of your favorie brew.

Pulling the Cat to Sea, South Beach, DH, #2/2011

Naar zee met 't 'Cat'
oil on canvas
40 x 100 cm
painted on location - Sunday 8 May 2011  SOLD

The day is off to a fabulous start. Just enough wind to make these two sailors effort of towing their cat worthwhile! Me, I'm more concerned about the light, thus getting on location well before the Sun reaches its zeinth, is vital, otherwise all those nice colours and shadows will get far too illuminated.

Path to the Sea, Westduinpark, The Hague

Nieuwe Pad naar Zee, Westduinpark, DH
oil on canvas - 60 x 90 cm
Fri 29 April and Sun 01 May 2011

painted over, no longer exists

What a difference a day makes! If you look at the painting on the bottom of this post, you will see just what I am talking about! Today, I present to you a repainting of the same scene, as depicted on the bottom picture, (which btw was paintied on 29 July 2010). Something about that painting made last summer, just didn't sit right with me. I finally decided to re-work it, opting for a more serene situation of the same view. Thus no clouds, and less growth in the flora, to calm things down. The municipality has taken away one of the paths, allowing for nature to fill in vacant space. Incidentally, this path leads to the sailing club and the strecht of beach that I so often paint.

Sailing Clubhouse, The Hague #1/2011

't Catamaran, Zuiderstrand, Den Haag, 1/2011
oil on canvas, 50 x 40 cm
painted on location - Sat 23 April 2011 
SOLD

With the great weather we have been having lately, the new season is off to an early start here at South Beach. A well groomed beach, looks orderly, clean and most importantly, spacious. It is still early as I set up for this painting. The morning moisture is evaporting, with the heat and Sunlight, a Sea vapor predominates the atmosphere. It is going to be a busy day on the beach, and here at the clubhouse, gearing up for the seasons 1st race.

Tulip bulbfields near Anna Paulowna, NH

Tulipvelden, Anna Paulowna, NH
oil on canvas
30 x 100 cm - (12 x 39 inches)
painted on location - Thurs 21 April 2011 (finished in studio Thurs 28 April 2011)



Yes don't those tulips love water! Especially during the heat wave we just experienced here in The Lowlands. Featured in this painting is the landmark water tower of this village, an irrigation ditch, (which wasn't even there, but I concluded that the composition needed something to balance itself), and functioning water sprinklers. Thus the production of tulip bulbs is indeed a fail-safe operation in this part of the world!