Rolling Waves #2- alone with the waves

Alleen zijn met de golven
oil on canvas - 30 x 50 cm
painted on location - Tues 13 Dec 2016

SOLD

In a busy country like Holland, somewhat overcrowded for its size, many a people go to the coast. To be alone with lots of space and fresh air, in search of solitude.  In this scenario, ones senses become alive to the soft rumors of the gentle waves, the cool breeze from the North Sea, and the often breathtaking view the sky and sea have to offer.  In this series I have opted to bring to the viewer an intimate scene,  at what takes place at your immediate surrounding whilst walking on the beach, were the water meets the sand.    

The Rolling Waves

Rolling waves series #1
oil on canvas - 30 x 50 cm
painted on location -  Thurs 13 Oct. 2016

SOLD

Here in this series I will be focusing on making close-up paintings of the waves, for the most part as they are rolling/breaking at the shoreline.  Thus colour and composition are fundamental. The paint, as you can clearly see, was amply applied, and thus will be key in the development of this series.

Closed for the Season

Laaste uren van een mooie dag
oil on canvas - 30 x 80 cm
painted on location - 15 Aug 2016
SOLD

It was late in the afternoon, I found myself on Zuiderstrand, Den Haag. I was working on a much larger painting, but before heading back to the studio, I decided to make a smaller format painting of the scenery as it was really a beautiful moment to savour.  Below the same scenery only on a much larger scale. Also painted around the same time of the day. Obviously these paintings were made sometime ago, hence the title of this posting.

XXXL Gezicht op Scheveningen vanaf Zuiderstrand
oil on canvas - 40 x 200 cm
Painted on location - Sept 2016
SOLD

This painting is really huge, thus don't let the postage stamp size of the image on this posting fool you.I suggest you click on the painting to see it properly.

Warmth of Indian Summer days II, South Beach, DH

A hot moment at HKZV, Zuiderstrand DH
oil on canvas - 60 x 90 cm
painted on location - 14 Sept 2016
SOLD

This is no doubt one of the best paintings I made in 2016.  Depicted is the recently renovated Catamaran club house of The Hague.  I think the position of the primary colored objects at the end of the row of catamarans, ads a certain attraction to this piece. The soft atmospheric condition caused by the extreme heat of the Indian summer temperature has helped in creating a feeling of tranquility to the scene. I'm glad I decided to get out on location, on this dayof September 2016.  Sometimes for a painter, it pays to get out there early and catch the shadows, which usually add in the composition of the work at hand.

Warmth of Indian Summer days I, South Beach, DH

Genieten van de Indian summers weer I
oil on canvas - 20 x 140 cm
painted on location - 13 Sept 2016
SOLD

The Indian summer has been with us for a long stay this year, and most Dutch people are very content with this decision of Mother Nature. I have been able to get on location on a few of these days, and bring to you a the warm moments, to enjoy any time of the year. This format seems to be custom made  for our beach here on the coast of The Lowlands. Below a detail of the above painting, showing a sunbather taking in all those nurturing Sun rays.

Indian Summer inviting you to Zuiderstrand, DH

Tijt om te genieten I, Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm
painted on location - Wed 24 August 2016

SOLD

It doesn't get any better than this, on our sacred coastline here in The Lowlands. These mothers with their children are playing it smart and coming to the beach nice and early, as later on in the day the Sun beams are full strength and can actually get uncomfortable, for the sensitive fair skinned people. A real pleasure for me to be on location, and finally I got to use my 3m parasol to prtoctect me from the Sun and not the wind.

Tijt om te genieten II, Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas - 50 x 100 cm
painted on location - Fri 26 August 2016

SOLD

A big painting for a big beach. The skies are actually very dramatic and luscious at this time of year, check out the painting below. However easy it looks, belief you me, it is not easy to paint a convincing sky. I manage to do it, because of all the practice I've had over the years, but still it remains a challenge. Please have a good look at this painting, check out those 3 young boys kicking the football, on the left. Years of model drawing and painting have given me the confidence to apply those strokes, which convey the message with as little description as possible.

The new look, Pier Scheveningen
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm
painted on location -  Thurs 18 August 2016
SOLD

The ferris wheel, has been added to liven up things at the Pier which dominates the beach here in Scheveningen. It is a big winner with the young crowd. For me it gives me the chance to paint yet another detail, which i must admit is fun to do. I like the fact that they painted the supporting cement pillars of the Pier in soft pastel colors......This is the view one gets after leaving Zwarte Pad and heads in the direction of Wassenaarseslag.

Summer scenes of South Beach

Gezicht op Scheveningense pier 
oil on canvas - 20 x 50 cm
painted on location -  6 July 2016
SOLD

I made this painting as a study for a larger commission. Often these smaller works have a more accurate rendition of the situation at hand, as it is more likely to be completed in one sitting. The evening light brings on soft warm tones casting a golden hue on the sand and in general warm tones overall.

S'ochtends op Zuiderstrand,
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm
painted on location - 13 July 2016
SOLD

It is the start of a nice summers day. We here in The Lowlands are really enjoying this time of the year, as summer has finally made its appearance.  Kids are out of school, families are packing up their gear, to get ready for a holiday. Most people are heading to a country on the Mediterranean. However for us that have stayed behind, a little trip to the coast is all it takes to have a relaxed and fun time. Plenty of space is guaranteed, and the usually ice cold water has warmed up a few notches, making it somewhat tolerable.  

The Cumulus shuffle above South Beach

De Stapelwolk shuffle boven Zuiderstrand. DH
oil on canvas - 40 x 80 cm - 15 x 31 inches
painted on location -  Thurs 9 June 2016
SOLD

Yes ladies and gentle, not the Harlem Shuffle by Bob & Earl 1963, (made popular by the Rolling Stones cover), but the Cumulus shuffle, as these warm fluffy clouds dance across the sky on a lovely sunny morning here at South Beach, The Hague. This view dominated by warm tones, buildings catching the suns warm rays, just a pleasure to be able to bring to you the viewer this special moment.

The last cloud meets the light

De opklaring, s' ochtends vroeg
oil on canvas - 50 x 100 cm (19 x 39 inches)
painted on location and in studio - May 2016
SOLD

A special moment in time. The morning light is painting on the sky a symphony of warm pastel colors.  Most people are still catching their last dreams of the night, while these sailors are about to meet the calm North Sea. Of course il pittore is also on location, making sketches and taking pictures of this magical fleeing moment. The painting was further advanced in the studio, as such a size canvas is almost impossible to finish on location.

The Lone Seagull

De Eenzame Zeemeeuw
oil on canvas - 13 x 18 cm
painted on location - Sunday 10 April 2016


The seagull finds herself flying over de Stille strand (the Quiet beach) and she likes it. She is going to stay and make some friends. Nearby is the busy harbor Scheveningen where she can always get a good meal from the haring ships leftovers. A quaint little painting of this beach,  probably, when you are a local,  your favorite beach.

The Soft Light Series 3 & 4, 2016

Zuiderstrand, de nieuwe "look".
oil on canvas - 30 x 80 cm
painted on location - Sunday 10 April 2016
SOLD

Zuiderstrand s ochtend , 11/04/16
oil on canvas - 50 x 70 cm
painted on location - Monday 11 April 2016
SOLD

Fine to see things starting to pick up here at South Beach, for the 2016 season. The same view, but as I say, time after time, never once the identical situation, thus each painting is unique. Leo from De Fuut, always proudly hanging the Dutch flag. You might have noticed, the blue building (The Hague Sailing Club) as changed format, compared to what it looked like in my previous paintings of this view. Here below a detail of the above work.

Promises of Spring with the Rolling Waves

beloften van de lente met de rollende golven
oil on canvas - 20 x 140 cm
painted on location - Friday 1 April 2016
SOLD

Yes ladies and gentlemen, promises of spring. The water slowly warms up as the Sun now stays with us much longer. Activity begins to increase both on and off shore, as you can see on the horizon line of the above panoramic painting. Below a picture taken the very moment the work was completed.

Sailing the turbulent North Sea

varen op de woelig noordzee
oil on canvas - 40 x 30 cm
painted on location - Monday 21 March 2016
SOLD

Not every bodies cup of tea, but for the hard core sailors of this gutsy North Sea, it certainly will put some hairs on your chest! The wave action was so worthy of being painted that day I decided to set up right at the waterfront. Making order out of chaos, that was my task, on this surface of linen. After several repaints of the waves crashing, I finally was satisfied with the result you see.

The Soft Light Series

A SOFT LIGHT FINDS MY BEACH

Westduinpark vanaf strandslag 10
oil on canvas - 30 x 120 cm
painted on location - Thurs 17 March 2016
SOLD

On that sign nailed to the blue pole, is written, "verboden toegang", in English, forbidden entrance. Perched on the sign is a black bird. She does have permission to enter the dunes, we humans don't. Thank God not everybody is a Dutch Civil Servant working in The Hague, and in most Natural Reserves around the world, us humans are allowed access. Oh well, your eyes do have access, and so do mine. Thus I paint for you the beauty of these majestic dunes.

Zuiderstrand met Zacht licht
oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm
painted on location - Thurs 10 March 2016
SOLD

The 1st large beach scene I have made thus far for this new season. Personally I love finding myself on location on these days with mist and fog influencing the scenery. Something mystical yet intriguingly inviting about this voluptuous atmosphere.

Homage to the Quiet Beach

Hommage aan het stille strand
oil on canvas - 70 x 210 cm - (27 x 83")
painted on many sessions in the studio - Dec 2015 t/m March 2016
SOLD

I am forever being asked to make a huge painting of this beach, so finally here it is. Painted on several sessions in my atelier, from paintings I had made previously, and of course from the way I see this beach, as I have been actively painting here for 9 years now! It is called "het stille strand",  the quiet beach. Most likely in reference to the very busy beach, just due North, and that being the popular Scheveningen  Beach. But also in reference, I think to the Nature Reserve (Westduinpark) one has to walk or bike across, to get at this beach.
I have chosen to show the viewer of this painting a moment in time when the fog lifts. Thus some light bouncing of the dunes to the far left. The seagulls in a playful flight pattern, coming towards the viewer, two persons walking on the beach and further right a barely visible yellow buoy, and finally on the horizon, an oil tanker.
To really appreciate this painting it must be seen in the real. However if you can't make it to one of my markets or a studio visit, I have added  some extra pictures.

On the Path 8 & 9

                                                                   Op Pad 8 - Zusters met de Jackie
                                                                         oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm
                                                                painted on location - Mon 7 March 2016
                                                                                         NTK.

Op Pad 9 - Morning has broken (to quote Cat Stevens)

Oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm

painted on location - Tues 8 March 2016

SOLD

The same location 9 times, every painting a little different. I will stop for now, and most likely re-visit this theme in the middle of spring. Sometimes just the silence of this Nature reserve to have for yourself is more than enough, thus have not always painted people in them. The light is never quite the same thus every work is unique and since they were freely painted the elements in the composition vary slightly. 

On the Path 5/6/7

The Encounter (de ontmoeting)
oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm (7 x 9.5")
painted on location - Mon 29 Feb 2016
SOLD

On the path, encounters are made. Why, even life long friendships can find their births. In this little scene, you get the feeling that something is going to develop between these two!  

Afternoon ride,  (Middag rid), Westduinpark
oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm (7 x 9.5")
painted on location and studio -  Wed 2 March 2016
SOLD

Inspired by the Haagse School painter Anton Mauve's Moring ride on the beach. I decided to add these riders on this painting. Normally you would not see riders on this path, as there are special designated trails for horse riders in these dunes. Hey, but as an artist I am free to express and make up stories in my own creations. Thus this work was born.

The flight of two seagulls and the Rabbit chase.

oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm ( 7 x 9.5")

painted on location - Thurs 3 March 2016

SOLD

Sometimes as the saying goes, "less is more". Thus in this painting I decided to keep it simple and put the focus on a few heavenly creatures, that inhabit these dunes. And I did my best to show detail of the flora and fauna in Westduinpark.

On the Path - 3 & 4

Op Pad # 3 - The conversation (het gesprek)
oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm (7"x 9.5")
painted on location - Mon. 22 Feb 2016
SOLD

Op Pad # 4 - Mother and daughter
oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm (7"x 9.5")
painted on location - Wed 24 Feb 2016
SOLD

Same size as the first two, same location, same fence poles, same trees and bushes, same dunes. Different people, different sky, different light, different coloration, different themes.  That's what is going to make this an intriguing series. At least that is my aim, to make it interesting. And of course to touch you the viewer in a way that words fail to do so. Hope you to are also enjoying the developments of these little oil paintings.

On the Path, 1 & 2

Op pad no. 1, (met hond)
oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm (7" x 9.5")
painted on location - wed 17 Feb 2016
SOLD

Op pad no. 2, (de omhelzing) 
oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm (7" x 9.5")
painted on location - Fri 19 Feb 2016
SOLD

In case your not Dutch, this one is simply called, the hug. A lot of things happen when one is on the path. One sees much. One experiences much. Why one even feels much.  I think I'm gonna like this series. Staring with this location, will get out there often and every painting will have a different story to tell.  For me this location is full of beauty. Maybe it is the path fading away in a downward curve to an unseen vista. Or perhaps the tonal range of the colors present in the dunes this time of the year. Not really sure and quite frankly, I don't even care. I just know that something summoned my attention and being myself on the path,  I was compelled stop at this very spot,  in the Westduinpark, The Hague, and put my craft to practice.

The Power of The North Sea

 

                  

                                 

                                                

           
De Kracht van de Noord Zee​

oil on canvas - 20 x 60 cm - (8" x 23") 

painted on location - Thurs. 11 Feb 2016

SOLD
​

Above you have a painting I made last week, on a very cold, yet sunny day. The wind factor was comfortable for me to set up in the open air, as you can see in the thumbnail picture below. I had the challenge before me of capturing the ever changing light effect on the sea. Often passers by made the comment to me, "I don't see no green water". In Dutch of course. And my reply would be, stick around for a while and when the Sun light gets blocked by a passing cloud, then you will see it! I'm sure most of you are familiar with this colouration of the Sea. Especially on a cold winters day. A sailboat on the horizon and three seagulls closer by, help in defining the perspective.

The Lone Jogger

​
De eenzame loper

oil on canvas - 30 x 50 cm

painted on location - ​ Thurs 28 Jan 2016

SOLD

The place is the quiet beach, but believe me, it is not at all quiet in these days. Why just the sound of the wind blowing anything that is not fastened to the ground, will make your ears beg for peace and stillness. This work was made just in time, while Poseidon was still hanging around.  But as is clearly visible in the sky, something was brewing up, the wind playing with the clouds like they were tennis balls. Why Zeus himself must have gathered his team and decided to give those government coastline planners something to rejoice about. Aeolus, Zephyrus, Boreas, Notus and even little known Eurus have been summoned and the dunes are growing a mile a minute. You even have to climb sand piles 5 to 10 meters high at the entrances to the beach just to get on it. Oh well, you most likely don't have the time to check this out, so that's were I come in. Immortalising these unique moments on Zuiderstrand on linen, for your eyes only!

Until next week, hasta la vista   

Carnivale 2015 - Visits The Hague 2

These seven paintings and the three works from the previous posting are my complete selection of works made for this colorful and unique Carnival which we are fortunate to have right here in The Haque.

 1.

 2.   3.

Scenes from the nightly Burlesque show
oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm each (7 x 9 inches)
painted in the studio from pictures - 12 - 15 Jan. 2016
SOLD



For the 1st time in Carnivale history, artistic burlesque show for the adult crowd.  The entertainment was light, humors and very creative.  A joyful experience for the dancers and crowd alike. Thanks to some fine photography from Ray Hartman I was able to create this little series.


                                     ___________________________________________

Scenes from Carnivale 2015 - 1/2/3/4

oil on canvas - 1. 13 x 18 cm (5 x 7 inches) .......   SOLD

                             2. 30 x 50 cm (12 x 20 inches) ....... SOLD

                               3. 24 x 30 cm (9.5 x 12 inches) ...... SOLD

                              4. 30 x 60 cm (12 x 23.5 inches) ......€450

painted on location - 27/28/29/30 Dec 2015

Wout, the strongest man in the world. He certainly managed to convince all the kids that were amazed at his ability to lift 400 kilograms! And then there was the 1.5 million volt man, who together with his assistant put on a very eerie show, drawing full attention from the spectators who were for the most part, hoping that nothing would go wrong.  

Carnivale 2015 - Visits The Hague 1.

Old fashion Merry-go-round, Day version

oil on canvas - 30 x 80 cm

painted on location - 28 Dec 2015

SOLD

Old Fashion Merry-go-round, Night Version​

oil on canvas - 40 x 80 cm

painted on location - 27 Dec 2015

SOLD

Here you have something a little different. I have been fortunate to be selected the official resident painter of this marvellous and magical vintage style, Carnival event. It takes place at Huijgenspark in The Hague, during Christmas and New Years Eve, (unfortunately not every year). I made a total of 10 works, most of which were made on the spot.  I present here the works which concentrated on the merry-go-round (draaimolen). Mainly because of the kids shouts of joy, gave the whole atmosphere really a gay merry feeling. Also the colours and lights of the object itself was a delight to put on canvas. Below you see me getting started on the Night Version.