I'm dreaming of A White Christmas

Kerstsfeer in Den Haag,

oil on canvas - 50 x 40 cm

painted on location -  Dec 2010, re worked in studio 22 Dec 2014

SOLD

It was on a postcard perfect winters afternoon, characterised by sounds of  children' s laughter and screams of joy. The crackling of  pure white snow, was to be heard,... yeah, as the young and old  alike moved slowly along, replacing the usual disturbing noise of automobile traffic.  Mothers pulling on sleighs, adults carefully manoeuvring their bicycles on this square, which has been dedicated to one of Hollands most beloved Queens.  Konigin Emma. That my dear readers was what inspired and moved me to find myself on location at the Regentesseplein in The Hague. I have since re-worked the scene on three occasions, finally choosing to remove  the tree featured to the left of the odalisque (as shown below) and replaced it with a not so dominate slanted street sign. It is amazing how this alone has opened up the view.  Also more figures have been added, and the details have been emphasised somewhat. I took the freedom of using my imagination to render this delightful moment in the tradition of  the much loved 19th century Dutch classical painter, Anton Pieck.

The tempestuous winds of the north sea, a cometh

de stormachtige winden van de noordzee, komt
oil on canvas - 30 x 80 cm
painted on location - Tuesday 9 Dec 2014
SOLD

This was the beginning of what we are presently experiencing here on the coast of The Lowlands. Wind gusts are well over Force 8. Even when one is prepared for these hard gales,  in a ship weighting tons of steel, stretching the length of 2 or 3 city blocks, be ready for the wrath of God! The Sea is both creative and destructive.  Just as it ushers Life in to this world, depending on it's mood,  it can usher Life out of this world. This scene depicts the arrival of the storm. Today it would be utterly impossible for me to sit up at the same location, with a canvas this size.  

A Symphony of Color finds Scheveningen # 1

Een symfonie van kleur vindt Scheveningen # 1
oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm
painted on location - 25 - 11 - 2014 t/m  02 - 12 - 2014
SOLD

When the Dutch landscape is seen through Italian eyes, this is a probable outcome. Seen through my eyes, this is the outcome!  I was reluctant to undertake this project, as that harbour is just a blazing with detail. However once into it, allowing for the brush to do what it does, and for the palette, a generous amount of freedom of expression, I rather enjoyed what was developing. For some i might have gone too far with the details, but ultimately it is my signature that goes on the painting. Thus a balance of what is actually visible, combined with fantasy, makes this view, in my opinion, visually digestible,

Autumn Colors in the dunes # 5

Herftklueren in de duinen #5
oil on canvas - 27 x 35 cm
painted on location - Tues. 25 Nov 2014
SOLD

I was on my way back to the studio from a painstaking painting session in the overcrowded Scheveningen Inner Harbor. It was mid-afternoon,  only about one and a half hours left of daylight. Enough time for me to knock off this small canvas. As to not waste time, I went to a familiar spot, The path I usually take to make all those seascapes. With winter being just around the corner, vegetation is drying up now, however still nice autumn gold colors to be found, especially when the Sunlight bursts through the clouds.

A warm summers moment, at the beach

Een warme zomers moment op het strand,
oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm
reworked in my studio - Nov 2014
SOLD

 A cosy little story being told in this quaint scene of beach life. It is late in the afternoon, on a perfect summers day.  Warm hues reflecting on the water, the tide is coming in and  Jaap's castle is about to be washed away.  He looks on with discontent, the pet Jackie also feeling sympathy for what is about to take place.  Meanwhile happy Koosje with her new pink bathing suit runs gaily into the cool salty waters, all excited to get  Mommies attention.  This is just one of thousands of happy events taking place on Hollands coastline, during a cordial lazy summers afternoon. Brought to you especially on time for that unique gift on paakjes avond.  Here in Holland, on the evening of  Dec 5th,  it is a tradition for Saint Nicholaas to pass by every homestead with his black Piets (assistants) with potato sacks full of gifts and rhymes, for children, big and small, assuring for a  merry family get together. Here below you see the original painting I made, on location, back in July 2014. It would be interesting for me to know what you think of the changes made.

Sailing the windy North Sea

Zeilen op de winderige noordzee,

oil on canvas - 70 x 50 cm

repainted in studio - Tues 11 Nov 2014

SOLD

The intent I had was to re work a painting that I was not quite satisfied with, and the fact that it didn't sell was most likely due to the fact that most on lookers were also not satisfied with. Anyway felt it needed something, started off by increasing the wave action, at the shore line, as you can see in the original version, (shown below). Soon I began to notice that the more water I painted, the further I was departing from the shoreline. I liked what was building up and I decided to go with it. Thus this scene was created. It gives one the perspective of viewing the sailboats and that yellow buoy from way out on the Sea. I feel this painting works a lot better, thus have decided to make it available for the art connoisseur, or just you the average art lover.

   

Small Seascape & Autumn Colors in the dunes 3 & 4

Paal 36, Zuiderstrand, het Stillestrand

oil on canvas - 20 x 20 cm

painted on location - Tues 28 Oct 2014

SOLD

Back on the beach for the first time in weeks, as I was very sick with a severe cold. Thus I decided to tackle only a small format painting and was inspired by this simple yet atmospherical subject. Of course I gave myself some freedom with the colour scheme, but really it was not far from the truth. 

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Herfstkleuren in de duinen #4

oil on canvas - 40 x 50 cm

painted on location - Sun 2 Nov 2014

donated to Canadian Embassy, The Hague Fund raising charity, Oct 2015

This canvas was made in the same afternoon as the one below! You can see how dramatically the whole scenery changes when the atmosphere shifts from sunny to overcast, in just a matter of minutes. I kind of like the idea of sitting up on the same location and painting what lies before me. A pleasure one experiences from plein-air painting

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Herfstkleuren in de duinen #3

oil on canvas - 30 x 80 cm

painted on location - Fri 31 Oct & Sun 2 Nov 2014

SOLD

This work was made in two sessions, due to the fact that I started it rather late in the afternoon, thus  the bright lighting was vanishing at a rate that was impossible to keep up with. Not a problem, a couple days later the sun was shining in all its glory. Sit up early enough in the afternoon, and the work was finished.  

Autumn Colors in the dunes, # 1 & 2

Herfstkleuren in de duinen #1
oil on canvas board - 30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Tuesday 28 Oct 2014
SOLD

It is my self imposed duty or responsibility, as it were, to get out in this area, and seize the moment of beauty.  Mostly I'm on the beach, painting the sky and water and the life on the beach.  But at this time of year the colours of the flora in the dunes are shouting out to be noticed and admired. I couldn't help but here Natures cry of joy as the Sun shined its warmth and life energy on all those leaves, surrounding this path to the Quiet beach, here in The Hague.


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Herfstkleuren in de duinen #2
oil on canvas - 20 x 50 cm
painted on location - Tuesday 28 Oct 2014
€ 345

As we have to take it as it comes, the Sun is what I am referring to.  I rushed over to this location, not far from were I was sit up on the above painting, and payed homage to this array of these juicy colours. I like to add about these two works a quote from a great painter.  "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."  (Edgar Degas)

Painting Refreshed

Naar 't huis bij strandpaviljoen DeStaat (repainted),

oil on mdf - 26 x 122 cm

Repainted in studio - 14 Oct 2014

SOLD

As you can clearly see, when you look at the original painting made on location back in early June 2014 (shown below), the fresh version is much more alive, with a play of light which reflects the atmospheric conditions. I don't usually re work paintings, but I am certain that in this case it was required. Interesting are the persons featured on the beach, especially the two boys on the left, kicking the soccer ball

The Quiet Beach is Alive #2 - Repainted

Het Stille strand Leeft #2 - Overgeschildert
oil on MDF - 40 x 122 cm
painted on location - Thurs 4 Sept 2014
SOLD

On the horizon to the left a glimpse of De Eendtracht, most likely out on a business outing. It's getting late Mothers busy rounding up their children, in order to head on home for supper. A man walking his Labrador at the waters edge. Yes folks, the Quiet beach is alive and well. And what makes it so?  No doubt, the people,.... The Hagenaars, especially the Vogelwijk dwellers, the kite surfers, the Beach cafe owners and staff,  all the children's laughter.....the occasional German tourist, the Expats, who have discovered the real treasure this city has to offer! And all those who love to feel the cool breeze the North Sea offers on a hot muggy summers day.

Summer Fun On The Beach - # 5,6,7

Moeder en kindern op strand
oil on canvas - 30 x 24 cm
painted on location - Thur 9 Sept 2014
SOLD

The sailboat featured got unusually close to the shore, making it a must for me to paint into the composition. In fact made a little story from the characters featured in the foreground and the vessel.

Strand gezicht van Zuiderstrand, 's ochtends
oil on canvas - 30 x 80 cm
painted on location -  Fri 12 Sept 2014
SOLD

Sure am glad that there are enough local folk that are as much in love with this beach scenery as I am, as every time I make one of these paintings, it usually sells before the paint is dry! If you compare this with the same scene of previous postings you will see that in fact, one can never experience the same situation twice, there is always a different play of light happening, which in turn effects the whole scene. Featured in this work is the world renowned artist/inventor Theo Janssen, You can see him and an assistant working on one of his StrandBeest, (beach monster).

Summer Fun on the beach - # 3,4,5

 Zuiderstrand leeft - gezicht op Kijkduin #1
 oil on canvas - 50 x 120 cm
 painted on location - 26 Aug 2014
SOLD

Zuiderstrand leeft -  gezicht op Kijkduin #2
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm
painted on location -  3 Sept 2014
SOLD

Zuiderstrand leeft -  gezicht op Scheveningen met kindern spelen
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm
painted on location - 29 Aug 2014
SOLD

It has been quite a while since my last posting.....A short vacation to Italy and the breaking down of my PC, hence am now working with a new Asus,  thus the delay! Oh well, have been keeping up with the painting production to the best of my ability. Here I present 3 fresh works off the easel. Upon request, these scenes  were made and purchased by the now happy owners! A pleasure, as always working on location, Thank God for the lovely Dutch light and skies. However as far as I'm concerned, the Dutch wind could go back to which ever corner of Siberia it is coming from! (Don't think the kite surfers would agree with me on that point, right Eric P.)

Summer fun, On the beach 1 & 2

Dancing clouds, happy people
oil on canvas - 50 x 70 cm
painted on location - Tuesday  5 Aug 2014
SOLD

The wind had picked up somewhat, last time I got out to paint. Had to put the 3 meter parasol to use as a windbreaker, as I was set up just meters away from the shoreline. As obvious, in this work the clouds are playing a dominant role in the composition. Myself am quite happy with the results of this particular painting, something about the saturated colours and just a freshness about it.

Lazy clouds, happy sun bathing people
oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm
painted on location - Thurs 31 July 2014
SOLD

Same beach as the above painting, different view point, was set up more or less on the middle of the beach. Glad I was on location fairly early, as the temperatures went to high for my comfort zone, however the people featured on this work have a different opinion! Characterised by brilliant colours this work has a happy feel about it, like I keep saying to persons viewing my painting, "het kan hier zo mooie zijn"!

Three summer views of beach life....

Last swim
oil on mdf - 15 x 40 cm
painted on location - Wed. 23 July 2014
SOLD

It is the evening of the day. The Sun is making its descent, thus the warm hues in the sky and on the water reflecting.

Zuiderstrand vanaf Aanslag 10,
oil on canvas - 50 x 120 cm  (fair size)
painted on location - Fri. 25 July 2014
SOLD

Given the right conditions, this is has got to be one of the most beautiful beach ever! A delight to be able to paint it, and even a greater delight to be sharing the experience with my daughter and girlfriend.  If you want to experience this view you'll have to get out of bed a little earlier than usual, as this is painted in the morning, before the masses of people arrive.

                         "Greetings from the 4 of us, here seen in the white room,..... busy these days unpacking and sitting up shop 
                                                              in the new studio space, THE PENTHOUSE SUITE."  (picture taken by Selena)

Summer time, and the living is easy on South Beach

Zeilen op het NordZee,
oil on canvas - 30 x 200 cm
painted on location - Thurs 3 July 2014
SOLD

The sky clears up after 2 days of windy rainy conditions, the waves still not settled down yet, a perfect day to sail these waters. For me a perfect day to sit up and paint the situation at hand. Not the easiest thing to do, working on location in this format. But I'm in the business of pleasing the art connoisseur, and I do what it takes.

Studio relocation time...

 Wow what a space!!

 Found this Roman coloum back in Sicily, Ryan Air was happy to see me, when I insisted I wanted to take this as carry on..... think I ended up paying for all the fuel they used on that flight, ha ha ha!!!

Clearing out of this huge lovely space! Had a good long run here, lasted almost 6 years! Now gonna down size, since most of my painting is done on the beach anyway!

Almost Summer x 2 /The Quiet Beach

Grote gezicht Zuiderstrand rechting Zuid,
oil on canvas - 80 x 120 cm  (31.5 x 47 inches)
painted on location - June 9/11 2014
SOLD

A major piece started and completed on location in 2 settings. Still early in the morning, with perfect lighting conditions. One could even clearly see the industrial terrain of the oil refinery in Hoek van Holland, and the Maas Vlaagje and more closer the Zandmotor. Have you spotted the Srtandbeest, hint on the left side of the canvas, the work of the world renowned artist/inventor Theo Janssen. Again for your viewing pleasure 2 close ups included here below.

Here ends info, under this line a different painting.

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Genieten van de stille strand,
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm
painted on location  -   June  9/10/14  2014
SOLD

A late afternoon view with the warm sun rays giving great pleasure to anyone taking the time to be at this beautiful beach, and yes we Hagenaars are very very lucky, don't we know it! On the horizon sail ships are heading back to the harbour after a days of competition during the North Sea Regatta.

The Quiet beach, not so silent these days!

Afternoon view of strandpaviljoen, De Staat.
oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm
painted on location on 3 occasions - May/June 2014
SOLD

Was asked to paint this scene from a Hagenaar that is moving to Bonn, Germany! This is pretty much the area were I set up my gear and make most of my views of this fantastic stretch of beach we are so fortunate to have, right here in The Hague! A little windy, perfect for getting those clouds to pass by and yet another challenge for me to paint them in. I feel they add a lot to this scene. De Staat, a great place to chill out with the kids, with friends and family, and you can even bring your dog along!

At the beach series #6 -2014
oil on canvas - 40 x 80 cm
painted on location - Mon  9 June 2014
€ 500

As you can see it is not always sunny here in The Lowlands! However when the heat is on, the beach is a great place to stay cool. A view which I never get tired of telling a story about. Only I don't use verse and rhyme, substituting color and form to get my story told! Here a child and her mother (in this case step mother) are having some fun keeping that rubber ball in the air as long as possible...i believe they went up to 88 swings before the ball touched ground! Had fun with all those greys in the sky, was a pleasure to paint.

A path with a view

Een pad met uitzicht
oil on mdf - 14 x 39 cm
painted on location - Fri 30 May 2014
SOLD

Yes ladies and gentlemen, right here in our dunes, are some of the finest views a painter can ask for! Fortunately for me, I don't have to take a flight or a train.  Just a matter of loading up my gear, parking my car for FREE, and a meditative walk through the dunes.  I was visiting the owner of Pier 32, talking about painting possibilities. On the way back was struck by this view, I couldn't resist! A small panoramic study, works well, for sure will make a large painting of this same view.

Panoramic views of North and South Beach, DH

Gezicht vanaf Noorderstrand met Scheveningen Pier
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm
painted on location 4x - April/May 2014
SOLD

This was a bit out of my usual outdoor painting location, but still very challenging and exciting to do. The young family featured on the for ground are the happy owners of this work. So you see I was asked to make this painting, a commission, if you will. At the right time of the day, and with such atmospheric conditions as
shown on this painting, this sceen can bring a smile to your face, when faced with a dark benelux grey winters day. Like I say to my potential buyers, affordable paintings for unaffordable space!  

please click on image to see it properly

Gezicht vanaf Zuiderstrand met catamarans
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm
painted on location - Sat 17 en Sun 18 May 2014
SOLD

This is my usual or should I  say favored painting location. Easy to get to, don't have to pay for parking. It is never really busy, because on this stretch of beach you are allowed to bring your pet dog for a walk! If you have been following me these last couple of years, you should be quite familiar with this view. However I'll bet you all the money which I have, the paintings are never exactly the same! That's precisely why I have fallen in love with making these seascapes.

AtBS #2,3,4-2014

Pad naar Zee, Westduinpark, DH, (AtBS #2 -2014)
oil on canvas - 30 x 80 cm
painted on location - Tues  20 May 2014
SOLD

The most recent painting of my last creative outburst. Here you see the sea from  high op in the dunes. These people are on their way to enjoy the beach with the warm sunny weather we have been experiencing lately.

Dagje op strand, (AtBS #3- 2014)
oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm
painted on location - Wed 16 July 2014
SOLD

Here you have a scene showing kids and families having fun or just chilling out on the beach. I was positioned near the beach cafe De Staat, and the view is looking North. Was lucky the Minerva was sailing by in all its majesty. In fact I was so inspired I decided to knock off the little study you see below.

                                                                      De Eendracht
                                                               oil on canvas - 13 x 18 cm
                                               painted on location - Sat. 17 May 2014  -   SOLD

Moeder en kind op strand -(AtBS#4-2014)
oil on canvas - 60 x 90 cm
painted on location - Fri 16 May 2014
SOLD

With the warm temperatures rising,  it didn't take long before the beaches started filling up. However this is an enormous beach, thus there is still lots of space for everybody and their dogs. Still quite early in the day, when the light is just right for such views to paint.

ATBS #1-2014,The Conversation.

ATBS#1-2014, het gesprek,
oil on canvas - 24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Tues 13 May 2014
SOLD

A lovely sunny afternoon, however still quite windy and somewhat chilly as the aftermath of the cold spell we just had hasn't settled yet. These two young girls found that by sitting on the ground allows the wind to pass over them, thus the warmth of the Sun feels soothing. If you are wondering about the title, ATBS is short for 'at the beach series'. In these works the subject becomes the people at the beach, they are not off in the distance but rather up front, and usually become the focal point for the painting.

2 views from The Quiet Beach

Laat 's midags bij Aanslag #10,
oil on mdf panel - 14 x 39 cm
painted on location - Wed 23 April 2014
SOLD

This small panoramic view of our lovely Quiet beach was made with some degree of expressive freedom. I left out many details to give it a greater sense of emptiness, thus giving an even greater feeling of space. The light was soft as the Sun was already on its way to meet the horizon. You might have notice that I purposely ended the pier, before it makes contact with the left edge of the painting. This gives the eye a chance to rest, thus bringing ones attention back to what's going on in the for ground.

Views of North and South beach, The Hague

Gezicht op Noorderstrand, vanaf ZwartePad
oil on mdf panel - 15 X 40 cm
painted on location - Tues. 15 April 2014
SOLD


In both these works the wind is playing a major role. It was blowing really hard on this little panoramic view, as is evident by looking at those banners on the poles just in front of that beach cafe. I situated myself exactly were the Zwarte Pad meets the beach in Scheveningen.  As you can see the seagulls just love it! All they have to do is spread their wings and the wind sways them along so graciously.

Gezicht op Zuiderstrand, met Catamaran
oil on canvas board - 30 x 40 cm
painted on location -  Sat. 19 April 2014
SOLD

The wind calmed down somewhat, but still making it unbearable for one to strip down to a swim suit to catch some Sun rays! However if one zip's up a wet suit and tackles the waves with such a vessel as this Cat being portrayed above, then you can handle the stalwart North Sea. It's late in the afternoon the light turns to a softer touch as it gently strokes the sails and other objects depicted in this cosy view.

Beach Cafe/restaurant 'De Kwartel'

Stradpaviljoen De Kwartel, Zuiderstarnd, DH,
oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm
painted on location - 15/17 april 2014
SOLD


With summer readily approaching scenes like this will be common place here on the so called, 'Quiet Beach'. Very popular with Ex-pats and with the residents of the Vogelwijk, this establishment is run as tight as a ship. Absolutely necessary in order to handle the overwhelming crowds on a nice summers day. Lots going on in this scene, thus opted to show a detail here below. Please click on the images for a better view.

Windy paintings from the Lowlands

Gezicht vanaf terras strandpavijeon Zuid
oil on  MDF  - 14 x 38 cm
painted on location - 8  April 2014
SOLD

Having no choice but to work from an area protected from the wind, opted to paint this scene as I was inspired by the sheer force of air coming swiftly from the sea Of course one can't see it, but one can sure feel it. Clouds zipping by so fast that every time I looked up to notate them there was already a different formation.The advantage of this art work is that you can display them as a diptych or you can give each one a separate location. BTW for outsiders, the design on the flag of den haag (The Hague) is inspired in part by the painting of Piet Mondrian's, 'Boogie Woogie', which hangs in the Gemeentemuseum.  

waves, waves, and more waves
oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm
painted on location - 9 April 2014
SOLD

A new feature on the horizon line as one looks out from the beach here on Zuiderstrand is the oil platform, which I believe is being constructed,  if I'm not mistaken. You can see it on the far right.

The Wave,
oil on canvas board - 30 x 40 cm
painted on location - 9 April 2014
SOLD

Made immediately after the above seascape, only this time on my knees, in order to get this perspective. Thus one should be able to notate a lower horizon line. This results in even greater depth, although in actual fact the distance is the same as in the above painting.

BTW - Nature had a hand in the creation of these works, by generously blowing fine particle's of sand on the surfaces

Scheveningen Boulevard with morning light

Scheveningen Aan Zee,
oil on mdf - 15 x 122 cm
painted on location on 5 settings - 26 t/m 30 March
SOLD

I have been reluctant to paint this scene, because I much prefer our Quite Beach which is just behind me, and if I was to continue the painting on the far right you would see our renowned Stille Strand! But I discovered on a recent walk that in the morning light were the city Scheveningen meets the Sea, it actually looks quite picturesque. There fore I decided to tackle this scene, knowing fully well that it would be a challenge! I am pleased with the result and judging by the comments I got from passers by, most people found it a successful work of art.  

Beach Cafe 'De Staat', in construction.

Opbouw van strandpaviljoen "De Staat",
oil on canvas - 35 x 75 cm
painted on location - Fri  21 March 2014

Gifted to owners of Cafe

On a very windy beach these men are putting the pieces together of what will become the beach cafe/restaurant De Staat, here on South Beach, The Hague. The advantage this cafe has is that it is located just to the right off the path leading to and from the beach. I myself was able to make this painting thanks to the protection of a large van parked on the drive in path. Found it to be an interesting subject matter, especially the study of perspective. In the distance you see the cafe Zuid, with its flag out, already in operation.