The Hofvijver, # 12 and # 5 (re-painted)

De Hofvijver Series #12
oil on canvas - 20 x 30 cm
painted on location - Tues 27 Aug 2019

SOLD

I have returned to a subject which was started last year in the Fall. In my opinion one of The Hague's most picturesque corners. Here I made a quick oil sketch, characterized by loose brush strokes, nothing is really perfect, however it pulls together well, making it easy to visually digest.

De Hofvijver Series #5 (op nieuw geschildert)
oil on canvas - 60 x 90 cm
painted on location - Thurs 29 Aug 2019

SOLD

This work was originally painted in the Fall of 2018. The shadows were much deeper, giving it greater contrast. I decided to lighten up the whole scenery thus a re-visit with the sunnier light situation.  And a major change was the removal of a lamp pole, on the right side of the painting, have a look for yourself here below.

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.

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 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.


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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.  

Road to the center, The Hague

De weg naar het centrum, Den Haag
oil on canvas - 40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Wed 24 June 2015


A painting made sometime ago, however only now posting on my blog. The work shows the popular terrace of St. Joris Cafe on the Koningsplein, the road then leads into Prins Hendrikstraat, after crossing the Waldeck Pyrmontkade.  Thousands of bicyclists use this path to reach the city center daily. It is good for the environment and a good way to stay in shape. Painted late in the afternoon, the low Sun is casting necessary shadow to create contrasts in the composition. Below....Dimitris Voyiazoglou, Leon Holmes, and me working on location.

Il Duomo di Cefalu & Case antice nella Baia

St. John's Cathedral at dusk, Cefalu, Sicily
oil on canvas - 40 x 30 cm
painted on location - Sunday 4 Oct 2009, (early evening)
SOLD

Cefalu is famous for its monuments, and this is probably the most famous example. Built by The Normans(1016 - 1194), one of the most ancient Cathedrals of this period, it still retains its natural beauty, mainly due to the fascinating color of the yellow ochre stones, which are found in abundace on this Island. As I started to paint this scene, the light was so intense on the facade of the structure, I was at once troubled with the thought of, "how the hell am I going to get that vibrancy on my canvas?"..., it eventually got softer and for certain moments, the stones seemed to glitter a most unusual golden light, wonderfully magical, to say the least. One does not even need to enter this place of worship, in order to have a spiritual transcendent experience, at least not in my case. The Statue of St. John(appropriately a Norman Saint) is the one featured on the far right.

and early the next morning....

Charming ancient houses along the Bay, Cefalu
oil on canvas - 24 x 18 cm
painted on location - Monday 5 Oct 2009
SOLD

The Sunlight is just starting to make its access on the slowly awaking village. Il pittore is out there, capturing that soft golden light in time to render its magical affect on the scene at hand. As the English painter, John Constable once said, "Light governs everything." He couldn't be more right, especially on this Island. A slight reflection on the turquoise/greenish salty water, harmonizes carefully with the yellow/greenish forests being lit up on the gentle mountain slopes, behind the village.

Regentesseplein, The Hague #2/09, Sunny morning

Oil study of Monument to Queen Emma, Small format
oil on gessoed wood,
8.5 x 15 cm
Painted on location, Monday 16 March 2009

SOLD

Finally got the move of my studio out of the way, now more time to dedicate myself to what it is I love to do, paint. Am developing a larger painting of this scene, but had the inspiration to knock off this tiny format of a wide panoramic scene. The play of light made my job interesting and fun.

Regentesseplein, The Hague #1, Sunny winters day

Monument to Queen Emma, Regentesseplein, Den Haag
oil on canvas mounted on board,
30 x 19 cm
painted on location in 5 settings, 21 Jan 2009 - 6 Feb 2009,

SOLD

Well, here it is, the final product. When you go to my blog, (link at bottom of this posting), and scroll down 4 postings you could see the result of the 1st setting of this painting. An inviting scene, however before you step into it, you better put on a warm coat, because it is bitterly cold. Queen Emma, her head is represented on the bronze medalion just above the statue, is the great grandmother if the present day Queen Beatrix of Holland. (I hope I got that right!) This scene is just around the corner from where I live, figured it is worthy of making a painting of. The old timers and locals of this neighbourhood call this the obelisk, 'de naald', which translates to the needle.