The Pond in the Dunes #1 & #4 - repainted

 

De Duinplas, Westduinpark DH #1 

 (opnieuw geschilderd)

oil on canvas - 50 x 70 cm

painted on location  - 21 April 2021

SOLD

Here I have revisited a location were 2 years ago I made a series of this pond, located in our dunes here in The Hague. This was the 1st in this series. The Scottish Highlanders, the woodpecker and the swallow were added, giving more life to the scene.  If you look here below at the original painting, you will notice the changes made. 

                  ____________________________________________________________________

De Duinplas, Westduinpark DH #4 

 (opnieuw geschilderd)

oil on canvas - 50 x 70 cm

painted on location  - 21 April 2021

€ 1550

Also this painting has been reworked recently. For the 3rd time I might add. I'm pretty sure this will be the final version.  As you can see from the previous 2 versions quite a few changes have been made. Namely the addition of the cows and our the 3 feathered friends.  It has become much greener and the tree trunks have been softened in a few cases removed entirely.

                                   

                                                     

Hofvijver, The Hague during the golden hour

S' avonds bij de Hofvijver  (#16 in de series)
oil on canvas - 50 x 150 cm
painting on location on several settings - April/May 2020

SOLD

Here i have returned to this series, this time with the evening light and with the largest format to date. It is worth mentioning that this work was made during the lockdown to prevent spreading of the corona virus. Thus have left out signs of people moving about. This is the seat of the Government, here in Holland, that tower shaped building, second object from the left, is the office of the Pime Minister. In my own insignificant way, i thought it was a good idea to make this painting especially in this period of reflection and decision making by members of Parliment. Here below two details of this work.

The en plein air painter and Nieuwe Kerk, Delft

De en plein air schilder
oil on canvas - 24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Thurs 22 Feb 2018


I was invited to go out painting by my good friend and colleague, Dimitris. He took me to one of his favorite places in Rijswijk, Landgoed Te Werve. It was cold but the Sun was in our favour, casting a brilliant light, illuminating all the warm colors found in this park. Not a usual subject matter for me, but I couldn't help but to think of how the impressionists worked together, en plein air, thus this work was created.

Nieuwe Kerk, Delft 
oil on panel - 20 x 30 cm
painted on location - Oct 2017

SOLD

Painted one fine afternoon from the end of the Trompetstraat. An old picturesque city visited by many tourists, and a great place to paint en plein air.  This and other works made in Delft can be seen in Galerie Delft, on Vrouwjuttenland.

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.

Scheveningen Beach & Boulevard and Zuiderstrand on a summers night

Il Pittore's vision of Scheveningen Beach 
oil on canvas - 30 x 200 cm
painted mostly on location - Started 4th of June - ended in studio 9th of July 2015
SOLD


Here I undertook the monumental task of making such an enormous XXXL canvas on location! I was situated exactly on the Noordelijk havenhoofd about 90 meters shy of the small red and white stripped lighthouse. Thus the wind was keeping me good company most of the time. In fact, it liked to pat me on the back, now and then. On one occasion all my gear hit the deck, lucky the damage was sustainable. Capturing the Sun's morning rays as they are just about to embrace the west side of the buildings and other objects portrayed, I felt this was the right moment to freeze, thus giving the onlookers something interesting to digest.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Warm glow over Zuiderstrand

oil on canvas - 20 x 60 cm

painted on location - Monday 3 August 2015

SOLD

Here I bring to you the situation at hand in these warm summer days we are being gifted with having here in The Lowlands. I found myself next to the beach cafe De Kwartel, about half way between Scheveningen and Kijkduin. This stretch of beach, being one of Hollands best kept secrets, most Dutch people don't know that The Hague has a seriously gorgeous beach front, (they think it is all happening in Scheveningen). And you know what ,Hagenaars like it just that way, thus they have the beach all to themselves! 

Autumns Gold Suite

Herfsten Goud Suite, NH
oil on canvas - 30 x 120 cm
painted - Sat 16 Nov 2013
€575

It's the time of the season to make these kind of paintings. With the tree ablaze with warm hues, it is certainly a feast for the eyes. Your heart and soul will certainly be warmed up on these cold damp autumn days! I love painting in Nature were it impossible to see one straight line! Every form curves, twists and bends, sometimes in the oddest shapes.

Blossoming Broom and other colorful field flowers

Bloeiende Brem, Doetinchem, Gelderland
oil on mdf - 16 x 24 cm
painted on location - Sat 18 May 2013
SOLD

Was out visiting a good friend and fellow plein air painter known as René Pleinair! Here is my attempt at turning a  simple rural composition into a cheerful situation. The weather was dull, grey and wet,.....however life is making itself visible in this season of rebirth. Thus I decided to celebrate the new growth, and with a little imagination, break away from reality, just for fun!

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 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dahlia pickers (plukkers), Zundert, Holland

oil on canvas,
70 x 90 cm,
painted on location-  Saturday 1 sept 2007 (repainted Aug 2012)
SOLD 

This is the second large format work I painted on the Zundert Schildersfestival. Made in the early afternoon, at the same dahlia field as yesterdays Wet Painting, (only from a different view point). Luckily for me there came along flower pickers, as it was the last day to prepare the floats for the famous blomen corso. They added a nice accent to the composition, The horizon line was also made interesting due to the wind effect on the trees. Painting the amazing Dutch sky was also a challenge as the clouds were definitely in a hurry to get somewhere.