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!

Tulip bulbfield, Schagen, Holland

Bollenvelden, Schagen, NH
oil on canvas, 30 x 100 cm
painted on location - Wed 20 April 2011 
SOLD

In this painting you see one of the same windmills which was featured on the previous posting. Only this time from another prespective. I got down as low as possible, basically seated myself on the earth, in a cross-legged position. Not very comfotable, let me tell you, especially after the 1st hour! I've decided to publish 2 highlights in this posting. Giving you the chance to compare modern energy producing windmills with the classical water managment windmill.

Muscari Latifolium Bulb field, NH.

Bollen Veld #1, Schagen, NH
oil on canvas
30 x 80 cm (12 x 32 inches)
painted on location - Wed 20 April 2011

Privater collection, Sora(Fr), Italy

A first for il pittore. First time I've painted these world renowned bulb fields here in The Lowlands. Being on location so close by, one gets intoxicated by the pungent scent of these beautifully colored flowers. Visually a feast for the eyes, however painting them is another story! The hue of these fields is so intense, that even at a great distance the color still maintains its character. This presents a problem to us plein - air painters, because after all, we do have to convince you the viewer of prespective, don't we? Fortuneately leading the lines to one vanishing point does help! Below a close up so as to show you the texture of the paint on the canvas. Remember you can see the image larger by double clicking it.

Looking North from Wassenaarseslag

Wassenaarseslag, op een mooie dag
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
painted on location - 9 Oct 2010

donated to charity fund raiser

What caught my interest on this scene was those Kart-sail vehicles. At first I thought they were small sail boats, on close inspection I noticed they had wheels and later saw them racing along the watersedge, on the sand. Although this work was made sometime ago, it is representative of the weather we are actually experiencing in these days!

The new look, South Beach/DH #2

Gezicht op Kijkduin, met 't Zandmotor, Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas
40 x 100 cm
painted on location - Thurs 7 April 2011
SOLD

Back on my own stomping grounds! Here a view similar to the previous scene painted on the beach, however one important detail I have highlighted on this canvas (see close up below the text), is the new Zandmotor, being built up to further add sand to this beach. Only this time, Nature will assist Man, in that the waves will transport the sand that has amassed on that man made peninsula (schiereiland). The ships visilble in the distance, i believe from Van Oord, in fact are busy unloading tons and tons of sand, which they first suck up from the bottom of the sea, some 7 or 8 kilometeres off shore. Then this sand is dislodged by very sophisticated mechanical means, thus the 'zandmotor' is built up. Eventually that same sand will end up on our beach, this time transported by natural wave action. Just how long that will take....well, only God knows!

Market Square, Den Bosch #2

Markt gezicht, s-Hertogenbosh #2
oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Tues 5 April 2011
SOLD

This is the 2nd paintng made in this lovely historically important city. Here you have a representation of one of the few original buildings in its mediaeval glory. The parasols shown here are the same ones from the previous posting, only seen from a different view point. Not a common style of painting for me, but I feel it works well for cityscapes. Incidently, if you are visiting this city someday, and you need directions, that blue flag is a landmark for the tourist information office.

Market Square, Den Bosch

Markt, 's-Hertogenbosch #1
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Tuesday 5 April 2011
SOLD

Finding myself in Den Bosch on a paint outing with 5 other plein - air painters, organized by Rob Jacobs, of Gallery Jass , I made this and another smaller format work. Setting myself up directly in front of the entrance to the Bijenkorf, looking towards the towers of the monumental St. John's Cathedral. The composition was to my liking, however there was so much information before me, that I thought, the only way to handle this, is to loosen up, and work with a palet knife. That was the 1st phase of the painting, then I went back with brush work to highlight certain details. BTW, for your interest, that green house above the 1st parasol on the left, is the birthplace of one of Hollands greatest painters, Hieronymos Bosch.

St. George and the Dragon Café, The Hague

Op 't terras bij Sint Joris en de Draeck, DH
oil on canvas
50 x 70 cm - (20 x 28 inches)
painted on location in 6 settings - 20/3/2011 - 02/04/2011

SOLD

In my eyes the most picturesque, café scene The Hague has to offer! Situated on a corner, Weimarstraat with Van Swietenstraat, across the street from the trendy Koningsplein. Patrons of this establishment, are once again able to enjoy the Sun's rays, casting warmth and light on this sidewalk café. Il pittore also takes advantage of the sunlight, which casts shadows and highlights objects. Making it a delight and a challenge for a plein air painter. This is a neigbourhood café/restaurant, which we Hagenaars are all very proud of! The inside is also authentically cordial and a visual feast for the eyes.