Boogie Woogy with Benelux Greys in Nijmegen

Lange Hezelstraat te Nijmegen
oil on canvas, 18 x 13cm
painted on location - Monday 11 March 2013
SOLD

It's a winters day, extremely cold, Sun light is struggling to get through those thick creamy Dutch clouds. Rene PleinAir and I just finished freezing our toes off,  painting at the Waalhaven,  just 5 minutes walk from this location.  We decided to sneak into a cafe for a warm cup of coffee before setting up once again for this quaint Montmarte type scenery.  Thanks to the unfavourable weather conditions this painting was made as fast as possible, thus retaining a freshness that can often get lost when working too long on a painting. 

Rower's, Reeuwijkse Ponds

Roeiers, Reeuwijkse Plassen, Klein Elfhoeven, vanaf Korssendijk, 
20 x 40cm, oil on canvas
painted  - Wed 6 March 2013


The painting was made right after I finished the 3 little studies from my previous posting. What inspired me was the reflections on the water. It was just past mid afternoon, the sky had  cleared up a bit, the Sun well into its descend, casting those soft warm hues.....what else could I do but get it on canvas!  As happens quite often, some Higher Intelligence, throws in a little visual treat, like those rowers passing by, thought it was a nice compliment to this scene, thus painted it in.

Reeuwijke Ponds, near Gouda

Reeuwijkse Plassen, Klein Elfhoeven, vanaf Korssendijk, 
10 x 15cm, oil on gesso wood panel
painted on location - Wed 6 March 2013
SOLD  

Holland has thousands of this sort of large ponds, a favorite location for vacation homes for city dwellers! Here you have signs of spring in the air.  Coloration of trees and plants still not green, which results in this soft display of warm tones.  A delight to paint, bringing out my soft nature!  Made a 4th painting, will be featured on next posting!

picture taken by Henry Retel, Kleinjesfotografie 

Seagulls, abundance and The North Sea

Meeuwen, overvloed en de Noordzee
oil on canvas, 30 x 150cm
painted on location - Thurs 21 Feb 2013
SOLD

No shortage of feeding for these seagulls and a few crows. Brought up by the natural movement of the tide, a variety of shelled sea creatures, become a source of life sustenance to this group of  feathered beings. While painting this scene I had this thought ringing in my head, the Good Lord doth provides, for creatures large and small!  Personally I'd rather say,  Mother Nature provides. But that is only a play with words. The point is I am convinced that there is an overflow of Abundance on this planet, however there may be a misconception with ownership and distribution!
BTW,  for your information, what you see here is the most Northerly point of the Zandmotor,  joining up with the beach at Kijkduin.

A Soft Winters Seascape #2 -2013

"Een zachte winters zeegezicht" 
#2 - 2013
oil on canvas, 40 x 50 cm
painted - Monday 18 feb 2013

SOLD

This painting  was made just before the the one I published on my last posting, thus 2 works were made on that session. Simple, non complicated composition....looks easy, yeah right....Here is a quote from a well known Artist...... What one has most to work and struggle for in painting is to do the work with a great amount of labour and sweat in such a way that it may afterwards appear, however much it was laboured upon, to have been done almost quickly and almost without any labour, and very easily, although it was not. (Michelangelo) 

Sunny Winters day at Kijkduin

Zonnige Wintersedag, Kijkduin
oil on canvas, 30 x 90cm
Jan/Feb 2013 SOLD

Have worked on this painting on several occasions, both on location and finally in the studio. Of course we had that snow storm which changed the situation of this view totally! Anyway got it off just in time for the exhibition opening this coming Sunday, in that very large building which is, the Atlantic Hotel, in Kijkduin. The play of light, casting shadows, creates tension and helps in defining the space. Ones eye is gently ushered far away to the vanishing point, by both the beach line and the white fence at the boulevard. Here below a picture of an on location session, taken by my daughter Selena!

View of Kijkduin from the 'ZandMotor'

Winterse strand gezicht, Kijkduin vanaf 't ZandMotor,
oil on canvas, 20 x 60cm
painted on location - Fri 25 Jan 2013
SOLD

Just on time to capture this scene, as of yesterday the snow has all but melted away! I set up my gear right at the northerly most point of the man made Zand Motor, (unique in the world, pilot project of 32.2 million cubic meters of sand added onto the beach, covering an area of approx 100 hectares, 22 football fields). It was early afternoon, the Sun still casting a soft warm light on the white snow covered beach. which helped create all those warm hues on the surface. Not a cloud in the sky, thus the light was almost blinding. Naturally I had it behind me, thus it worked in my favour. Again just a reminder of my up and coming exhibition in the building 2nd from the right of the painting.

Sunset on The White Beach

Zuiderstand met sneeuw tijdens Zonsondergand 
oil on canvas, 60 x 80cm
painted on location - Tues/Wed  15/16 Jan 2013
SOLD

The first real great snowfall here in Holland, and guess what, The Hague got hit the hardest! That made for some beautiful scenery, in otherwise not so interesting places. Here I have returned to a theme which I explored in depth a few years ago when I first started this project, "Wet Paintings from The Lowlands"!  As some of you may already know, I am preparing paintings for my up and coming exhibition in the NH Atlantic (Hotel) Kijkduin. The entrance to the beach shown in this painting is directly in front of that hotel. Below a picture taken by photographer, Peter van Bennekom, just as I got started on this canvas, late in the afternoon, whilst the Sun was low thus casting warm hues and created this lovely view!   .

   

Carnivale 2012 by day.

Gezicht op Carnivale 2012, Den Haag bij daaglicht,
oil on canvas, 30 x 90cm
painted on location - Sun  30 Dec 2012 -(In studio Tues 8 Jan 2013)
SOLD
It is winter, the days are short, it is just after opening at the Carnival, the time is 2.15 in the afternoon.   The crowds have yet to arrive, however il pittore takes advantage of the still dry weather conditions, and makes a go of this fascinating scenery.  The assistant to the Anatomy Lesson Professor watches on to the innocence of to little girls sharing some candy floss. Both the century old merry-g0-rounds are in motion. Parents are enjoying themselves, but really the kids are having the time of their lives, and that my friends is what it is all about!  Here below, two close ups, for your viewing pleasure.

Carnivale 2012 by Evening

Gezicht op Carnivale 2012, Den Haag bij nachtlicht,
oil on canvas, 30 x 90cm
painted on location - Fri/Sat  28/29 Dec 2012
SOLD

Here you have a glimpse at the old fashioned carnival by evening light. On the left, brilliantly coloured toddlers merry-go-round, then the grown up kids version, circling in action, next to that, the anatomy lesson pavilion. A fire burning in a metal barrel, (one of many), keeps the parents warmed up.

Carnivale's in Town, Entrance

Ingang Carnivale 2012, Den Haag
oil on canvas board, 18 x 24cm
painted on location - Sunday 30 Dec 2012
SOLD

Let me take you back in time. Actually let Joris Hentenaar and his crew take you back in time! This old fashioned carnival could have been the stage for a Fellini film, taking place in a small village somewhere in Northern Europe! That was the intention of the organisers of this event, and believe you me, they have succeeded, as you will bear witness in this and my next 2 postings. Three carnival characters are ready to greet you as you step into this make believe setting were you will meet the most bizarre characters.  Flame blowers, jugglers, a woman in a fish bowl, a man who breathes through his eyes, just to name a few.  Of course the children are dazzled and taking it all in, but the century old merry-go-rounds are their favoured attractions.

South Beach, DH, Winter Seascape #2

Gezicht op het Atlantic Hotel, Vanaf Zuiderstrand, DH,
oil on canvas, 30 x 90cm
painted on location - 12 Dec 2012,  (12-12-12)
SOLD

Fantastic winter sky today at the Sea. So it was a real treat to get to paint this scene. However the temperature was very, very low. Although I was warmly dressed, my toes and fingers  were starting to get numb, by the time I decided to call it quits on this canvas. Was inspired by the combination of warm and cold greys that went up in covering most of the canvas. I purposely highlighted the Atlantic Hotel, Kijkduin, as have been invited to hang up an exhibition of my paintings, next Febuaury 2013, (will keep my followers posted on that opening). Below a close up of a couple and their pet dog, strolling along the beach. Some people have the nerve to call the figures on my seascapes, puppets! Upon a close look at this detail, you will see that they are not at all puppets, but rather expressive figures, communicating with gestural movements.

Panoramic Winter Seascape #1 -2012

Panoramisch Winters Zeegezicht #1
oil on canvas, 30 x 150cm
Sat. 8 Dec 2012 - (12.00 - 16.15hrs)
Zuiderstrand, DH
SOLD

Maybe hard to believe with the weather we are now experiencing in Holland, but this was the situation on the beach just a few days ago! Calm, serene waves gently brushing the moist sands of the south beach in Den Haag. Cold as a whip however, and for this I had multi-layered clothing on, from head to foot! This picture is worth having a closer look at, so I recommend you double click on the image.

Panoramic Autumn Seascape, South Beach, DH

Panoramisch herfst Zeegezicht, Zuiderstrand,DH
oil on canvas, 20 X 140cm
painted on location - Zuiderstrand, Kijkduin - Wed 14 Nov 2012 SOLD

  The advantage I have by living in The Hague is that the Sea is always close by. Thus even though the weather forcast was for cloudy, hazy and cold conditions yesterday, something like what we are experiencing today, and has been with us for sometime now, I was able to hit the beach in the early afternoon and make this rest giving seascape. I was struggling over a decision; "do this seascape or go to a park and compose another Autumn Gold painting!" Well, I guess you know what the answer was to that!
 

Autumn Gold #1-2012

De schoonheidszin van de Herfst #1-2012
oil on canvas, 40 x 30 cm
painted on location - Hemmensebos (Zetten), Sun 11 Nov 2012 SOLD

The dogs name is Amy, together with Wilma and Selena they are taking a brisk stroll in a small forest which is in these days a magnificent array of warm hues, really a feast for the eyes, together with sunlight, what a combination! I couldn't pass this moment by,..... luckily I had my gear with me and thus this work was created. Of course they didn't have to pose the whole 45 minutes that it took to make this painting. They came on at the end of their walk, when the painting was at its final stage.

The Sea and nothing but The Sea

de Noord Zee en niks anders
oil on canvas
60 x 70 cm
painted on location - Wed 22 June 2011 and June/Oct 2012 SOLD

This is actually a repainting if a work I made last year at the Noordwijk Painters festival. I basically stayed with the original composition, however I removed a kite surfer, and I changed the coloration of the sea and sky.  Painted on location on two seperate occasions, and re worked slightly in my studio resently. s. 

Here is what the painting looked like originally.....

Scottish Highlanders grazing, Bergen Aan Zee

Schotse Hooglanders grazen, Bergen Aaan Zee, 
oil on canvas board, 30 x 122cm
12 x 18cm (each), painted on location - April 2012, 
SOLD

Another very late entry, but an appropriate time, for the posting as I will be active in Bergen NH this weekend as a participant of the Kunst10Daagse. These lovely creatures were painted shortly after I made the sea scape of Bergen Aan Zee, (posted last week). Of course I had to work with great expediency, as they moved around frequently, often coming towards me to check out what I was up to!

Market Scene with Mother and Child

Gezicht op Markt met Moeder en Kind, Bergen,NH
oil on canvas, 70 x 90cm
painted on location, Oct. 2006 and  Sat 20 Oct 2012

€ 1900

Hello Dear Friends and followers of my postings. Here you have a rather intimate scene of what one can expect whilst strolling down a busy market in a picturesque village here in The Lowlands. This is the centre of Bergen, NH, a cosmopolitan village just west of Alkmaar, in the North of Holland.  If you noticed the dates this painting was started 6 years ago, and has been shelved in my studio as I was not content with the composition. Determined to complete it during the Kunst10Daagse, I took it with me and worked on it a few days ago. The mother and child in the foreground are actually my daughter, Selena and my girlfriend Wilma. They were so kind to pose for me, long enough so as I could complete this painting. The theme repeats itself, just to the left with again, a representation of a child with her Mother. You know they say a painting is worth a 1000 words, and for me this image proves just that. Something about the goodness in Life comes through. We are all going through troubling times, all one heres about these days is finacial crisis. In this painting Nature, Love, Kindness and Abundance are being celebrated. Fruits, vegetables, cheese and eggs a gift of Nature to sustain Life for us. The leafs are showing off there beauty before the trees that they dress are going in for a much deserved Winters rest. What is being communicated between the Mother and Child is not certain, but you can surely guess that it has something to do with  Love an Kindness.  So while the Media is blasting you with negativety, remember there are those of Us, (and we are many), that still take the time to show that Life is Good and Love rules above all!

Sout Beach Cafe, 'De Fuut', DH

Strandpavilijon De Fuut, Zuiderstrand, DH,
oil on canvas, 40 x 60 cm
painted on location - Sept 2012SOLD


My favorite subject to paint on South Beach, here in The Hague. The play of light on this painting works will in defining he space and giving one a sense of volume re the subject being painted. This scene is already history for the remainder of this year and won't be back until April 2013! These cafes are seasonal and are broken down for the winter.

Windy beach scene, Bergen Aan Zee, NH

Strandgezicht, Bergen Aan Zee, met hooge wind,
oil on canvas, 40 x 50 cm
painted on location, April 2012
SOLD

Working on location with such conditions, one has to get the paint on the canvas as soon as possible, and not delay for even 1 minute, as rain and wind can do irreversable damage to the freshly applied paint on the surface of the linnen. I had just enough time to get this composition completed, capturing the light of a given moment. With the the racing clouds, the changes are swiift and it becomes a question of working from memory, even though I'm on location.

Opa picking Dahlia's, near Zundert

Opa aan het Dahlia's plucken te Zundert
oil on canvas board, 18 x 24cm (7 x 9.5inches)
Thurs 30 August 2012
SOLD

Not really my Grandfather, just a title to a painting! Again, a work made sometime ago now, however better to post it rather than leaving it on the shelf, as they say! Was active in Zundert, at the end of August for a few days, making  paintings of the Dahlia flower fields with the pickers. They were getting the flowers ready to pin on the waggons  that would be shown on the parade of the famous Bloemencorso, held annually at the end of August.

View of Schevenigen from Wassenaarseslag, Large

Gezicht op Schevenigen vanaf Wassenaarseslag, grote
oil on canvas, 60 x 130cm (let op!)
painted on location on 3 occasions, touched up in studio, 11 - 24 August 2012    SOLD



 Do you know anybody serving unfairly a life prison scentence.....maybe you want to purchase this work for him, thus, with a little imagination, that person can take leave of the thick walls and escape mentally onto this vast beach! That is what this painting offers to the onlooker,..... space, fresh salty sea breezes, and the warmth of the rising Sun! What more can one ask for, strolling happily along the North Sea coastline? 

Beautiful summers day, Slotermeer, Friesland

 

Mooie zomersdag, Slotermeer, (vanaf de waterkant in Balk)

oil on canvas, 60 x 90cm

Sun 9 Sept 2012 SOLD

I finally made it to Friesland to capture the beauty of one of Holland's favorite recreational areas. The activity on this lake carries on the whole year through. Spring, summer and fall with sailing/boating,  winter's with ice skating. This lake is part of the famous 11 city skating track,  over 200 kilometers race through 11 cities, which takes place, provided that the waters are well frozen over! For a complete photo presentation of the making of this painting please follow this link, http://www.bungalowparkmarkant.nl/fotoalbum.php?album=162

Begonia's in full bloom #3 & #4

 


 Begonia's in volle bloei,
oil on canvas, 24 x 30 cm
painted on location in Apeldoorn  -  Sun 12 August 2012

SOLD 

This series of paintings, (four in total), was made at the art festival, Kunst in de Parken, in Apeldoorn, 10 - 12 August.You can see that the flowers were very ripe and already beginning to wether away. This made for very rich color combinations, and yet another reason why I choose to paint this sweet ensemble of this gift of Mother Nature's beauty, here in The Lowlands.  

Begonia's in full bloom #1 & #2

Begonia's in volle bloei,
oil on canvas, 24 x 30 cm
painted on location in Apeldoorn  -  Sat 11 August 2012


This series of paintings, (four in total), was made at the art festival, Kunst in de Parken, in Apeldoorn, 10 - 12 August. Not my usual subject matter, however these flowers were crying out for attention, and thus inspired me to set up and make these paintings. Rather than paint the whole garden display, I decided to zoom in, as I found the abstract value of the resulting composition more interesting.  

Coasting along the North Sea

Freewheelen langs de kust
oil on 5 wooden panels, 15 x 50cm
22 August 2012 SOLD 

Inspired by the 2 mast sailboat, by chance, passing by while I was set up working on a larger peice (next posting), at Wassenaarseslag, I decided to quickly make this smaller format panormic Seascape. Below is a close up where you can see the vessel splashing and being tossed about, by the waves. As it was rather close to the shoreline I managed to paint the flag and other details, usually not visible on the sailboats featured on most of my seascapes.

View of Scheveningen from Wassenaarseslag

Gezicht op Scheveningen vanaf Wassenaarseslag
oil on canvas, 20 x 140 cm
Sun. 19 August 2012  SOLD


Still catching up with paintings made, almost 3 wks ago! This work was made on a very crowded beach, same afternoon as the previous posting. On the horizon you get a glimpse of the pier and skyline of Scheveningen. I like to use this format for these scenes. It gives one the impression of being on location, and with a little imagination, invites the viewer to step in and breath the salty vapours of the North Sea.
Below, a close up. Just a reminder, you can click on the images to get a proper look at them.

Summer fun on the Wassenaarseslag beach

Wassenaarseslag, zomers strandgezicht
oil on canvas
20 x 50cm
Sun 19 Aug 2012SOLD

Everyone is having a ball on the beach here in Wassenaar these past days. With a wave of hot sun rays showering down on The Lowlands, the beaches were crowded and busy! In the horizon, the Pier and modest skyline of Scheveningen. On the foreground, loads of kids splashing about the warm waters left behind from the receding tide.  

South Beach, panoramic view

 Gezicht op Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas, 30 x 150cm
painted on location - Fri 17 Aug 2012 SOLD 

It was early in the morning, these are among the 1st arrivals, by the time I was packing up to leave, with this painting completed, there must have been about 400 persons on this stretch of beach! What is fun when I have so many people in my view , I can pick and chose, who I want on the composition. Have you noticed the mother bending over to care for her little toddler? I like to keep the space empty, as it gives emphases on the basic elements. In this case, the hazily clouded sky, the Sea and the beach with sand nuances. When you live in a crowded house, like we do here in The Lowlands, you have a greater appreciation for space, thus also a reason for this composition. 

Fun times at Southbeach, NL

 

Aan 't spelen, Zuiderstrand, DH 

oil on wooden door panel

27 x 82cm  -  11" x 32.5"      

Wed 15 Aug 2012 SOLD

It arrived a little late, but the summer is finally here to stay, in The Lowlands! Beach goers and holidaymakers can  feel at home once and for all. The Dutch and German tourists have never been so happy! Il pittore has been hitting the beach daily,  painting the situation at hand. Luckily I'm an early bird, as afternoons has been unbearably too hot to work.  As usual with this format, a close up to get an idea at the surface of the painting and a better look at the details.

 

A Day Out painting in Katwijk #2

At the Sea, study #1, 13 x 18cm, oil on canvas,
At the Sea, study #2, 18 x 13 cm, oil on canvas,
Children playing at Sea, study #3, 12 x 18cm, oil on canvas board,
Works made on location - Tues 3 July 2012
S OLD

These were the other paintings made on that outing just over a month ago. As you may have  noticed, the sky had clouded over, right after these works were completed, thus the water colour shifted from blue/green/silver, to the greenish tints that you see on the previous posting. Shopping around for a unique birthday present, or a special gift for some other occasion? Maybe this is something for you! As you can see, il pittore, is sensitive to the present times and offers original paintings at affordable prices.

A day out painting in Katwijk

Children playing at Katwijk,
24 x 30 cm, oil on canvas,
painted on location,  Tues 3 July 2012 - SOLD

North Sea with seagulls,
30 x 24 cm, oil on canvas,
painted on location, Tues 3-7- 2012 -SOLD                                                

As you can see, still catching up with paintings made some time ago! Went to paint with other Plein air painters at this sea resort town here in The Lowlands. Came back with five small format oils, here you have the first two. The sky was quite cloudy, giving the water this soft emerald green colour, which inspired me to make a painting of nothing else but the Sea, as is evident in the bottom piece.

The Art Saleswoman in Dordrecht

De Kunstverkopster te Place D'Ary, Dordrecht,
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm  -   (9.5" x  12")
painted on location - Sun 5 Aug 2012
SOLD

Her name is Wilma and she can sell my paintings far better than I can! We were invited to take part in the Place D'Ary, art manifestation on the GrootHoofd square in Dordrecht. The weather was ideal for such an event, and really, is the reason why this scene was worth painting!  Talking about the play of sunlight. Lighting up the facades of the buildings, and the square.  Making its way onto bouncing off the multitude of people hinted at on the terras, and of course, most importantly, on the subject of this very work, the seller of the paintings.

    

View of The North Sea with surfers

Gezicht op de NoordZee met surfers
oil on canvas, 60 x 80cm
painted on location   -    Sun 01 July 2012
SOLD

Painted more than 1 month ago, finally starting to catch up with posting of recently made works! A sunny yet very windy morning on the beach. Ideal conditions for learning how to surf, as one of these two persons featured on the extreme left of the canvas was doing. Interesting cloud formations sweeping by, and a sharp clear atmosphere characterises this homage to our at times formidable, North Sea.

Oh Canada.......Up North

 Gezicht op mijn landgoed/Canada,
  oil on cedar wood, 13 x 71cm  -  (5" x 28")
  painted on location - Friday 20th July 2012

€ 525

Just back from a three week vacation, visiting family and friends, with my daughter Selena and Wilma. This is the not so little piece (100 acres) of Canada I own together with my brother Mike Valentini. The cabin was  built by Irish pioneers back in the mid  1800's. Of course additions/reparations  have been made over the years, but it certainly still retains it's original charm, as is evident in this painting and the picture below. This is the only work I made on the trip, as most of the time I was being a family man, and doing fun things! Travelling light, I only brought a hand full of art material with me. As luck would have it, I found this neat piece of scrap cedar behind that garage on the left, already treated for outdoor exposure,  I could apply the water based oil paints directly on it (see picture below of work in progress). Remember click on the image to get a proper view.