Something different for a change

Wachten op haar baasje , bij De Smidse, ZL

oil on wood panel - 22 x 30 cm

painted on location -  Sat 20 Jan 2024

SOLD

Luckily for me I happened to be at this location on the, up till now the only days that we have had snow in Holland. Have been visiting this quaint hotel on a number of occasions in the past several years, however this was the first time with all that fluffy white stuff on the ground. A favorite hotel by many people, especially dog owners, as their beloved pets are allowed to stay in the hotel as well. 

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ouderwetse boerderij, Doetichem, NL

oil on canvasboard - 24 x 30 cm

painted on location - 27 Dec 2023

€ 375

Koeien in de stal, op de ouderwetse boerderij

oil on canvas - 30 x 40 cm

painted on location - 18 Dec 2023

€ 375

These paintings are both made at the same location, with some further work on them in the studio. In Holland who doesn't like a painting with cows as the subject? Answer, nobody. They are cow crazy in this country, I'm not kidding you.  Anyway was fun to join my plein air painter friend Rene, who lives just a stones throw away from this old fashion farm., I loved it, and am looking forward to returning.

 

Fun on the Snow # 4

 

Plezier in de sneeuw # 4

oil on canvas - 50 x 60 cm 

painted on location - Thursday 11 Feb 2021

Sold

This one might as will be titled fun on the ice, but that's okay. I actually headed out to make another painting with kids tobogganing, but saw this scene and thought, this will be today's painting, and so I sit up and went to work. I like it that many of the kids just come up to me and ask the most sweet innocent questions, like, what are you painting Mr. artist?  Or they are looking and trying to find themselves on the painting.   Anyway, the light was fantastic  and I myself was in the shade, which makes it possible for me to select the proper color range. 

  

Fun on the Snow # 3

 

Plezier in de sneeuw # 3

oil on canvas - 50 x 60 cm

painted on location - Wednesday 10 Feb. 2021

Sold

Who say's Nederland is flat? Why just have a look at this series, okay they are not mountains, but we got our share of hills, you must admit. And where there is a snow covered hill you can be assured you will have a crowd of kids enjoying themselves.  Just want to point out that these works are made on location, swiftly and as skillfully as I can manage. Thus the style or application of paint shows this in an innocent and truthful manner. I choose purposefully to not give too much attention to the tree line, on the top of the hill, rather focusing on the action on  the slope. Kids falling and sliding down, but that's fun,  the laughter was loud and clear!  Of course that kind of action is not for everyone, so hey why not build a snowman!

Fun on the Snow # 2

 

Plezier in de sneeuw # 2

oil on canvas - 50 x 60 cm

painted on location - Tuesday 9 Feb. 2021

€ 625

Back in The Hague, the weatherman was gifting us all with freezing temperatures. You might ask, a gift what the hell is he talking about? well here in The Lowlands, believe it or not, snow is always welcome! you see we get so little of it, sometimes it takes a few years before it comes back.... Thus,  more fun in the snow for everyone, but especially for the little ones! Snowboarding, tobogganing, slipping and sliding, whatever it takes to get you down the slope! I enjoyed very much capturing the sense of movement these children were displaying.

Fun on the Snow # 1

Plezier in de sneeuw # 1

oil on canvas - 50 x 60 cm

painted on location - Sunday 7 Feb 2021

Yes indeed fun on the snow, for many, many kids in these days here in The Lowlands! I was visiting with my partner Wilma in Gelderland, close to the German boarder. Man did we get a dumping of that fluffy white stuff. Of course I was definitely prepared to tackle the situation, as the weatherman was getting us all excited about the coming winter storm. And what a storm it was! Cold, B-r-r-r-r-rrrr. he's a picture to proof it.

The Hofvijver, The Hague Series - # 8, 9, 10 and 11

The Hofvijver Series # 8
sprookjes achtig gezicht - winter 2019
oil on linen - 20 x 115 cm
painted on location - Sun/Mon 20/21 Jan 2019

SOLD

Developing this series further, I decided to make this panoramic view, which was inspired by a picture I saw by a local photographer, Bosz De Kler. What I found interesting is the triangular shape of the composition. Kandinsky referred to this as the "spiritual triangle", which has a subliminal effect on the viewer. The onlooker has simultaneously an entrance (far left) and an exit (far right), to and from the painting. But if one chooses you could stick around for a while, by make a left turn at the end of the street on the right, and head toward the church tower of the Krote Kerk.  The pond was almost completely covered with a thin layer of ice, as the temperature dropped to below freezing. Below a picture of me working taken by a passer by. While the sun was out it felt good, however still extremely cold!

1st day on location

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The Hofvijver Series # 9
Eindelijk de magie van de winter (1st schilderij)
oil on canvas - 20 x 40 cm
painted on location - Tues. 22 Jan 2019

SOLD

As was predicted by the weather man we finally got hit by that fluffy white stuff, which is so characteristic of winter in most in the Northern Hemisphere, yes it finally snowed! And of course yours truly was on hand, first thing in the morning. Represented here are the two paintings I managed to create in the 5 hour period that I could withstand the cold. After which my toes started to feel a little numb, thus time to pack up and call it a day.

The Hofvijver Series # 10
De magie van de winter (2de schilderij)
oil on canvas - 20 x 60 cm
painted on location - Tues. 22 Jan 2019

SOLD

A painters dream come true, to work in the snow. Think it has something to do with the tonal range of all the subdued colours, due to the atmospheric hazy quality. Gives the landscape a mysterious mood.

Below a shot of me working on the 2nd painting,  #10 in the series.

on location

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The Hofvijver Series # 11
De magie van de winter (3de schilderij)
oil on canvas - 30 x 60 cm
painted on location - Thurs. 24 Jan 2019
SOLD

Will almost all the snow has melted, but the pond is still very much covered with a thin layer of ice, as the temperatures are still quite low. This painting was started in the mid afternoon, and finished just before the darkness set in. The warm tones in the sky are caused by the setting Sun, which was taking place behind me. That's why you have orange/yellow being reflected in the windows of the buildings.

Me and my shadow

Me and my shadow
oil on canvas - 13 x 18 cm
painted on location - Mon. 20 Feb 2017
SOLD

Pole 36 however stalwart, stands a little tilted to one side. The North Sea relentlessly splashing her with the frigged salty water. This situation was the precursor to what would come two days later when we were experiencing wind forces that caused waves that would completely engulf her. Making only visible the red capping, now and then.

Scheveningen Beach in a winters fairy tale

Scheveningen strand en boulevard als een Sprookje
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm
painted - Sun 12/Mon 13 Feb 2017

SOLD

What's there to say, but that I am so grateful that we finally had a downfall of that fluffy white stuff here on the coast of Holland! Everybody was excitingly happy, especially the little ones. And me I was really happy that i had the opportunity to get on location, and re work a painting that I made in December 2015 of this scenery! Thus the composition was already complete when I started on this painting.  You know it's funny, how some days one could paint better than on other days! I guess it is the same with anything one does. For me this was a day were the juice was flowing, fast and powerful, and what resulted is what you see. By the comments people were making as they stopped to have a look, and there were many people, as it was a soft winters sunshiny day, I felt I had accomplished a painting which will give much pleasure to the viewer. And that my dear friends, is a gift, from The Creator to me and from my hands to you. Here below a fine picture of me working on this painting taken by Maurice Haak, from This is The Hague, Tourist Information Centre. 

                                      (If you wish to have a better look at this painting,send me an email)

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.

Winters Magic on Ice #5

Selena skating with view of Neiuwe Kerk toren, Delft
oil on canvas
40 x 95 cm - 16" x 37"
painted on location - fri/sat. 10/11 Feb 2012
finished in studio - mon. 20 Feb 2012


The last of this series, as here in The Lowlands, skating fever is already history! Right now on this pond there are a few patchs of ice skatered about, which the ducks seem to be enjoying. My daughter joined me on Saturday 11th Feb, we arrived on location just before 08.30hrs and to my disbelieve we were the only ones on the ice! After skating a few times round this ice track, I set up my easel and got to work. I asked her to keep skating around the bend thus she has become the focal point of this composition. As you can see by the price, I'm not eager to give this one away.

Winters Magic on Ice #4

Panoramic view of Dobbelplas skating baan
oil on wood panel
9" x 39.5" - 22 x 100cm
painted on location - Wed 8 Feb 2012

no longer exists

I do believe this format seems to compliment this scenery. The 4th work made at this location. Characterized by swift one-off brush strokes, made in a total of 90 minutes(and 37 yrs experience) this art work has mortalized a moment in time, such as a cameras lens would do. A Dutch child, learning for the first time, how to keep balance on two thin metal blades on a cold slippery surface. Here below a close up, as taking a quality picture of this format is difficult for an amatuer photographer! And a shot of me working on location!

Winters Magic on Ice #3

Family fun on ice, in Holland
oil on canvas
40 x 50cm
painted on location - Sun 5 Feb 2012
SOLD

A father is encouraginging his son to make a sprint on ice. Other toddlers, young and old, are having the time of their lifes, on this special occasion of winters magic here in The Lowlands. Why winters magic, well think about it.....these folks are moving on a body of water, I'm standing on it, painting... Normally this would not be possible, unless of course you can vibrate as high as, you know who, good old JC! Anyway, the white snow covering most flat areas, also has a magical quality, transforming the landscape to this fairy tale like atmosphere. And what is so damn special about it all,... it is only a simple trick, brought about by the Almighty Creator,...saying, among other things, here you all, bundle up and have some fun! In The Lowlands,..they do just that. The hype is fantastic.....everyone is praying that the freezing temperatures hang in there, thus the reknowned, 11 city Nordic skating race can once again take place!

Winters Magic on Ice #2

Family fun on Ice, Dobbelplas, Nootdorp,
oil on canvas board
5" x 7" - 13 x 18cm
painted on location - Sun 5 Feb 2012

SOLD

The 2nd painting made at this location. Decided to try this so called portrait format, then a small size to accomodate even the novice art collector..... As there is no comparison to owning an original. At this price, IKEA should be ashamed of itself for selling reproductions at much higher prices! Putting much attention to the gestures of the skaters, I've done my best to show their posture whilst gliding on the ice. Here below a close up for your viewing comfort.

Winters Magic on Ice #1

Skaters, Dobbelplas, Nootdorp (Nr Delft)
oil on wooden door frame panel
26 x 74cm - 10" x 29"
painted on location - Sat 4 Feb 2012

private collection, Barrie, Ont. Canada


Well most Dutch people are rejoicing with the onslot of below zero temperatures, and didn't take long to get there Nordic skates out and hit the frozen ponds and canals skattered throughout The Lowlands! Fortunately for me I have this wonderful natural setting, Dobbelplas, Nootdorp, just a short car drive distance from my studio. In 2 days I made 3 paintings, this being the 1st. Probabaly will get out there again, but one day of rest, as yesterday I almost developed frost bite on my right foot. And that was with two pairs of thick woolen socks and well insulated winter boots!

Fishing Harbor, Makkum, Friesland

Vissers Haven, Makkum, Friesland
oil on canvas
40 x 30 cm
painted on location - Wed. 12 Jan 2011

SOLD

Well, when the Sun is not shining, and rain drops are falling on my head, and I'm on a painting excursion with 3 colleagues, being hosted in a luxurious Bed and Breakfast, near this village, what do I do?..... I look for a subject to paint, then of course in this case I need shelter from the rain, so after more than one hour of searching I finally sighted this location. Affording me to stay dry, but not warm, as I was out in the open, at the entrance to someones residence. Parts of the water are frozen, thus this glass like refelection, and the slight movements of the vessels, (for let us not forget they are afloat!), give the water its character.

Snow in The Hague #2, Regentesse Square

Regentesseplein met sneeuw #2, Den Haag
oil on canvas
60 x 70 cm
painted on location - Mon 20 and Wed 22 Dec 2010
SOLD

You know sometimes when an artist gets in a creative flow, you might be able to compare him/her to a surfer who is riding on the crest of a wave. Especially in this case, as this is no normal situation for The Lowlands. To have so much snow, and then that it doesn't melt, like within a few hours. Looks like we are in for, a very cold winter, indeed! Anyway back to this painting. The Weimerstraat has one of The Hagues' busiest bicycle paths, thus there was a constant flow of them. I have painted in only one who is doing his best to stay in an upright position!

Snow in The Hague #3, Regentesse Square

Regentesseplein met sneeuw #3, Den Haag
oil on canvas
50 x 40 cm
painted on location - Tues 21 Dec 2010
SOLD

Well, here I am back at the same spot as the last posting, doing my best to stay warm, and at the same time bringing to you a unique situation here in The Lowlands. You might be asking, "hey what happened to #2, of this series"? The answer is, it is still in progress, hope to have it finished later today! Yesterday didn't get on location tell after 3pm, by the time I set up, being the shortest day of the year, the street lights already came on, thus was not able to continue on the #2 painting, as the whole atmosphere had changed! What to do,.....make a 3rd painting. And am glad I did, as am quite content with the results. Looks like a nice series is building up, maybe a up and coming exhibition?

The White house with the blue door, The Hague

Het witte huis met de blauwe deur, met sneeuw
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Wed 1 Dec 2010/ finished in studio Tues 7 Dec 2010

SOLD


Many of you living abroard may not know this, but snow on the ground in this part of The Lowlands is actually not common. In the hustle and bustle of a cosmopolitan city like The Hague, you can still find buildings such as the one depicted on this quaint oil. I sit up my easel on the corner of Nieuwe Uitleg and Maliestraat, just behind the Lange Voorhout. It was cold, damp, and it was snowing. Hardly no wind to speak of, thank God. I was dressed like an Eskimo! Standing at the edge of a water canal, beleive you me, the cold damp, gets right to the bone, in a matter of seconds. Especially when one is standing still. I took the liberty of spicing up the color scheme a bit, and that tiny flower bouquet was invented. However I must admit that the Dutch are very proud of their window displays, and come up with the cuttiest of installations.

Winters Magic # 3, Open Field, N.H.

Veld en bos onder sneeuw, N.H.
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm - (16 x 20 inches)
painted on location - Saturday 9 Jan 2010

This painting no longer exists.

Amazing how just a very common scene, with just the right lighting conditions, could be trasformed into a feast for the eyes! Highlighting the comforting distant warm hues of the woods, and the sky wilfully showing her face behind the heavy laden clouds, il pittores imagination took flight. "I'm at the entrance of a Monumental Castle, I came here with the intention of painting the snow covered drawbridge, however, Mother Nature took a hold of me, and this was the result". A close up for your convenience.

Winters Magic # 2, Nootdorp, Holland

Winters landscap #2, Dobbeplas, Nootdorp
oil on 2 canvas boards
18 x 48 cm - (7 x 19 inches)
painted on location - Thurs 07 Jan 2010

SOLD

This painting was made shortly after I finished the previous posting. As the sun was shining, and no wind to speak of, I took it upon myself to take advantage of the lovely warm hues caressing the distant treetops. Was also inspired by those enthusiastic skaters who dared this not compeletly frozen pond! You should be able to see the opening, just under the horizon line, left side. You may think I'm crazy, working outside in the extreme cold, I want to quote a famous 20th Century American Artist/Teacher, Robert Henri, to explain were I'm coming from.

"You can do anything you want to do. What is rare is this actual wanting to do a specific thing: wanting it so much that you are practically blind to all other things, that nothing else will satisfy you. When you, body and soul, wish to make a certain expression and cannot be distracted from this one desire, then you will be able to make a great use of whatever technical knowledge you have. You will have clairvoyance, you will see the uses of the technique you already have, and you will invent more."
(pg. 125 The Art Spirit)

As mentioned above, 2 paintings for the price of 1!
You have the option of having the panels side by side, thus creating one horizontal piece, as I have presented. Or you can choose to hang each panel on its own.