Windy Seascape study #2/crashing waves

Winderige zeegezicht studie # 2 / brekende golven
oil on masonite
11 x 14 cm
painted on location - Mon, 16 April 2012 SOLD


Similar to previous posting, however on close observation you can see many differences. Composition the same, but here you have addition of tree tops of the high dunes. In these conditions the atmosphere is changing by the second, never mind by the minute! I think I'll do this more often, work simultaneously on more than one canvas. Location of this series is Westduinpark, The Hague, entrance to beach from De Savornin Lohmanlaan.

Windy Seascape with 3 Seagulls

Gezicht op de Noord Zee, kleine studi #1
oil on masonite
11 x 14 cm
painted on location - Mon, 16 April 2012, SOLD

Yesterday on location, worked on 5 paintings simutaneously. Mind you all 5 small format. As the wind was way too strong to have any decent size canvas on my easel. I opted for this solution, and glad I did. At the end of the session ended up with 5 smart oil studies of windy, cloudy, seascapes, with warm colors on the sea. In the distance, light bounces off a ship heading due North.

South Beach, The Hague, #5-2012

Gezicht op Strandpavijlion De Fuute en HKZV, 's avond
oil on canvas
60 x 80cm - (24" x 31")
painted on location on a very windy/cold/sunny evening - Sat. 14 April 2012  SOLD 

Beyond any doubt, one of the most colourful locations on the whole of Netherlands coastline...... Scenes like this are becoming a think of the past, with all these trendy 'lounge type' cafes going up on the beaches, here in The Lowlands. Evening Sunlight casts a warm glow over this intimate beach scene. Clouds racing by, as the wind, as usual is quite strong(check out the flags). Getting myself as low as possible, to protect my gear from flying away, was once again on my knees painting this view. This painting will be showing in the cafe, De Fuute, until it is picked up by an art lover and loyal patron of that location.

Home Made Markt Scene, The Hague,

Gezicht op de Home Made Markt, te Den Haagoil on MDF
13 x 11 cm - (5.5" x 4.5")
painted on location - Sun 1 April 2012 SOLD 

A lovely atmosphere was created this day because of this special market happening on this rather handsome neighbourhood here in The Hague. A very sketchy oil painting, small format, alla prima, gives a decent impression of the situation.

South Beach, The Hague, #4-2012 with kite surfers

Gezicht op Scheveningens peir vanaf Zuiderstrand
oil on canvas
60 x 80 cm - (24 x 32 inches)
painted on location - Fri 6 April 2012
SOLD

Here you have the latest painting made on the beach. Just in time before the cold front set in, and brought with it some nasty weather. One could see it arriving, that wall of clouds just above the horizon line. It actually has warmer tints of purple grey, which have been too difficult for me to capture on this digital representation, but not too difficult to mix on my palet and get it right on the canvas! The season is just getting started at the Catamaran Sail Club, the two cats piled up on each other awaiting there proper spot on the grill. Next, the beach house 'Staat', followed by the red lighthouse of Scheveningen(top only visible), to the right you see the top of the tallest building at this popular beach resort, crowned with a golden ball, most likely representing the Sun. Some more details, but what caught my interest was those two kite surfer students, taking lessons of that most popular sport, here on the windy North Sea Beach.

Calm and misty view/North Sea

Gentle breaking waves with child and dog
oil on canvas, 20 x 140cm
painted on location - Wed 28 March 2012
SOLD

A format that alot of you have seen me work on before, and I must say it works very well with capturing the since of vastness and space when one stands before the Sea or any large body of water. A child playing with her pet dog, three sailboats, the one closest actually showing the sailors on board and a yellow bouy, a landmark which brings this scene to a specific location. The atmospheric conditions were such that the scene at times took on an abstract quality, without the horizon line visible, the sky and water almost idintical in hues, seemed as if the sailboats were just floating in mid air, very strange indeed. Please click on the images to have a better look.

Beach Scene with mother and daughter

Strand gezicht met moder en kind
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
painted on location Sun 25 March 2012

SOLD

More than once I have been told that my people, on the beach, look like puppets! The reason for that is this, usually I paint very wide open space beach scenes, thus the persons have to be tiny in order to stay in proportion with the composition. However, once in a while I do paint close ups of people on the beach, as in this case. It is time to go, and the child seems a little hesitant(besluiteloos), thus her Mom extends her hand as a gesture to call it a day. You will notice the long shadows they cast, indicating that the Sun is making its decent, and being Spring the air starts to get rather cool. Another day of fun and aventure ends for this child, and Life is sweet for her thanks to Mother Natures gift of a lovely day here in The Lowlands.

View of South Beach, The Hague #3-2012

Lente gezicht op Zuiderstrand, Den Haag
oil on canvas, 30 x 90 cm
painted on location - Sat 24 March 2012
SOLD

Hello Everybody, Every once in a while I get the urge to repaint or paint over an existing painting, as the case in this posting. Tired of the sky and water dominated by those boring Benelux greys on the original version, I decided to freshen up this scene of South Beach, The Hague.... Not by photoshop or some other software, but by il pittores painterly ability and simply taking the canvas to the same spot were the original painting was made and then giving it another go!

Wassenaarseslag/ Hazy spring day

Strand met mist aan Zee
oil on canvas
40 x 50cm
painted on location - Thurs 22 March 2012
donated for charity fund raiser

A little off my beat and track, but always a pleasure to paint at this location. Not yet fully operative, this beach house cafe has set op some windbreakers to accomodate the sunbathers. In the distance you can vaguely see the hotels on the boulevard at Noordwijk Aan Zee. BTW - those are not black pirate flags you see on those masts, but rather the colors and symbol of one of Hollands finest brews, Hertog Jan. 

Sailing in the Spring Mist

View from South Beach, Den Haag
oil on wood panel
10 x 15cm
painted on location - Sun 25 March 2012

SOLD

Spring is in the air, and one can literally see it in this little oil study made the other day. I had just finished a larger canvas, and was inspired by the mystical look of the sailboats in the distance. Due to the mild heat wave we are experiencing here in The Lowlands, and the welcomed burst of sunlight, views of the sea are rather hazy but yet pleasurable to render on the canvas.

South Beach, The Hague, #2-2012

Childern with a white dog
oil on canvas
40 x 50cm - 16" x 20"
painted on location - Tues 20 March 2012
SOLD

Weather is emproving by the hour, here in Holland. Life on the beach, is picking up. Activity gives me subject matter to paint. However, always like to bring you the big picture, lots of sky, and plenty of space to drift your imagination into.

Market Scene, Grote Markt , Nijmgen

Kerkboog naar Sint Stevenskerk
oil on wood panel
12 x 24 cm - (5" x 9")
painted on location - Mon 19 March 2012  SOLD 

If those silly pilots in WWII, didn't bomb the hell out of Nijmegen, (by mistake), I'm sure it would have been right up there with Amsterdam, as far as aesthetic beauty is concerned! And I'm almost positive the Romans had something to do with that lovely layout of this city, set on a hillside, overlooking one of Holland's busiest rivers. I will be painting every now and then in this delightful city, as my sweetheart lives in the area.

In love at Kijkduin, Holland

Op pad naar de zee , Kijkduin
oil on canvas, 50 x 150 cm
painted on location and in studio - Dec 2011 - March 2012
SOLD

Here you have the final version of this commission piece. Was quiet the challenge working on it thru the winter and yet giving it this spring like atmosphere. They don't call us painters masters of illusions for nothing! This painting will be hanging in the home of that couple walking on the path. The play of light really helped in defining the space, and both the shoreline and the boulevard on the right lead the viewers eye to a distant location somewhere beyond the concrete jungle of Scheveningen.

The Yellow Bridge

Yellow bridge, Valkenburg, Holland
oil on wooden panel
10 x 15cm
painted on location - Sun 11 March 2012

 Donated  (€ 100)

A most picturesque village in Limburg located just minutes away from Maastricht. For those of you who are familiar with the geography of Limburg, you know why that bridge is yellow. For the rest of us, including me, found out that that colored stone has been mined out of the ground in and around the village of Valkenburg since the a very long time ago.

Girl smsing in Cafe De Overkant

Aan het smsen, Cafe De Overkant, Den Haag
pastel/choarcol on rough surface pastel paper
24 x 30 cm - 10" x 12"
made on location - Fri 2 March 2012

SOLD

Have been invited to exhibit art works at this location, thus I took it upon myself to make a series of 15 sketches/drawings of interior scenes of same location. I will not post all 15 works but just to announce the exhibiton here you have a look at one of them.

Address : Stationweg 32, aan het Huygenspark, near Station HS, vanaf 14 Maart.

How many people do you see in this scene? If you said 4, then you are correct!

Winter Seascape #2- 2012

Sailing the North Sea
oil on canvas
40 x 50cm - (16"x20")
painted on location - Sun 4 March 2012

painted over - no longer exists

This work is characterized by simplicity, space, and air, three qualities we can all use a little more of, don't you agree? Especially for us urban dwellers, here in The Lowlands. The mist has just lifted, the Sun is trying hard to spread its nuturing light on this part of the planet, however the thick wall of clouds is keeping it at bay! The fresh breeze helps these sialors manouver their vessels in the direction of the harbour, they have just taken part in a fun regata.

Winter Seascape #1- 2012

The answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm - 16" x 20"
painted on location - Wed 22 Feb 2012   -   SOLD



Funny title, but let me tell you, the wind was definitely blowin' while I was working on this painting. And what did the wind answer to me? She said,..."It is good to have you back, il pittore,.... now get on with it,capture this scene, if you can, I won't make it easy for you, but I will give you a scene to paint." And thanks to my now broken 3 meter parasol, it was possible to set up. As you can see the beach sand wanted so desparately to get in on the act, it left its trade mark on the canvas!

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!

Winter canal scene, Amsterdam

Small version, arched bridge at the Oudezijds Voorburgwal
oil on wood panel
10 x 15 cm
painted on location - Tues 31 Jan 2012
SOLD


Amsterdam has a charm and unquestionable character of its own. Thanks to the city planners who were wise enough to leave the canals pretty well alone, since they were built, back in the 15th century. This area called "De Wallen", was the centre of the red light zone, in Amsterdam a few years ago. Things got out of hand, and in a few words, criminality in drug dealing and hard core sex shows/prostitution kept most respectable tourists away. The city cleaned up the criminal scene, and now tourists can once again, enjoy strolling these cobble stoned streets, taking in vistas such as the one depicted in these paintings.

Winter canal scenes, Amsterdam

Oude Waal, Amsterdam
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Tues 17 Jan 2012
SOLD

Yesterday, despite the bitter cold, I went to Amsterdam, and made 4 small format paintings. Here you have the 1st result. Not too far from the Central Station, I spotted this rather typical Amsterdam canal vista, just across the street from Montelbaastoren. The copolla you see on the top right, belongs to the Church of St. Nicholas, a rather stunning view as you step out of Amsterdam Central Station to the left. The low winter sun, lights up the tops of the high stalwart houses along this canal, and partially the bridge and elements in the forground.



View of Montelbaans tower
oil on canvas board
18 x 24 cm  -  7" x 9.5"
painted on location - tues 17 Jan 2012
SOLD


This painting was made from the bridge shown on the above posting. In fact was painted shortly after I finshed the above work.  I decided to make it into a true winters scene by adding snow and ice on the waters surface!



View of Montelbaans tower study #1,
oil on wood
10 x 15 cm  -  4" x 6"
painted on location - Tues 17 Jan 2012
SOLD

This oil study was made on the bridge featured on yesterdays posting. I worked on 3 small panels at the same time, thus building up the paintings simutaneously. Robert Henri once said, that a painting is never finished it just stops at an interesting point. I concluded that this little guy had enough information on it. Besides the historical tower, that cast iron draw bridge in the distance, was of interest to me




View of Montelbaans tower study #2, 
oil on wood panel
10 x 15cm  -  4" x 6"
painted on location - Tues 17 Jan 2012
SOLD

Same view as above work, only style of painting much loser, and well, quite impressionistic, if you ask me. Was a pretty productive day for me, wouldn't you agree?

Venus Victorious/Renoir in The Hague

't beeld Venus Victorius van Renoir te Den Haag
oil on canvas
38 x 28 cm - 15" x 11"
painted on location - July 2003 reworked in studio 11 Jan 2012

SOLD

Some of you may remember, not so long ago, on the Lange Voorhout, there was a sculpture exhibit dedicated to the Female as model. Of course il pittore couldn't resist but to get on location, more than once! This work has been hanging in my studio for all these years, however for some reason, I never felt it worthy of exhibiting. Yesterday I re-painted some areas on the surface, and I cropped it to this vertical format composition, as suggested by the sketch. Also, just for the fun of it, I decided to paint in that female artist at the easel, (top right window). Below is presented, one of the several sketches I made of the Auguste Renoir bronze statue. Made with an ink brush, thus the painterly representation. Signed bottom left, dated on the back, 22 x 14 cm / 8.5" x 5.5".





detail of artist in her studio

Day and Night view of Carnival in Town

Dag en nacht gezichten op 't Carnival te Den Haag
oil on canvas
10 x 45 cm (both)
painted on location - Thurs 29 and Fri 30 Dec 2011

SOLD


The day scene was the last painting made in this series. Finally the sky has opened up, and as usual the whole scene brightens up. It is winter, thus the bare trees. This carnival took place in an urban center, hinted at, are the rows of houses on the left. Again, I have taken great care in painting a carrusel that is in operation, thus the swinging stools with mostly children seated on them.

The night scene......The mystery deepens, as the atmosphere darkens, the lights glow, like stars in a clear night. A painters paradise, such scenery! You wouldn't know this but the weather was anything but welcoming that evening! Had to set up under the protection of a overhanging roof, the entrance to the Carnival's cafe. Now and then the rain paused, just long enough to get that carrusel spinning with exstatic childern, having the time of their lifes.


here I am at the very beginning of this series, you get an idea of the size of these panels

Old Timer Carrusel, Carnival The Hague

Ouderwetse Carrusel, Carnival, Den Haag 2011
oil on wood panel
10 x 15 cm
painted on location - Wed 28 Dec 2011  SOLD

The 1st of 4 paintings made at this colorful Old Time Carnival. which was situated in Huygenspark, downtown The Hague, Holland. A close up below, serves to show that I have taken great care, in bringing you a lively scene, thus the carrusel is actually spinning as you see the childern seated holding on to the chains of the swinging seats!

This way, Ladies and Gentlemen

Deze kant, Dames en Heren
oil on wood panel
10 x 15 cm - (4" x 6")
painted on location - Wed 28 Dec 2011


SOLD

A gay scene to start the new year off on the right direction! The carnival is in town, school kids both young and old have the oppurtunity to have some old fashion fun, in a city park, located in downtown The Hague! The next 4 postings will be scenes of this event.

A Park with A View, #2, Westduinpark, The Hague

Gezicht op de NoordZee, Westduinpark, DH
oil on canvas, 50 x 150 cm
Tues 13 Dec 2011
SOLD

A rather large format to be working in the open air, alla Plein-air as the French would say. But with the help of a 3 meter parasol, layed on the ground, in the direction of the wind, it is possible! The same view as the previous posting, however set myself up a little closer to that path leading to the beach entrance. Actually it was very cloudy behind me, but now and again the sunlight would break through, and that is what interested me, thus that's what I paintied. Those two feathered friends seemed to be enjoying the wind, as they and others just kept hovering back and forth, across my view span.

A Park with A View, #1, The North Sea

Gezicht op de NoordZee, Westduinpark, Den Haag
oil on canvas, 40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Monday 5 Dec 2011
SOLD

I was thinking of calling this work, 'Homage to the Trees and Rose Bushes, Westduin Park, The Hague'. You see my friends, as I was making this painting, just about 60 meters over my left shoulder, trees were being cut down! And not only that, DEAR READERS, all those lovely warm hues on this canvas, Wild Rose bushes, well, they also gotta go! Hey, what can I say that Joni Mitchelll hasn't already said more than 25 yrs ago,....YOU TAKE PARADISE AND YOU PUT UP A PARKING LOT! Not too worry, it won't be that bad, Thank God! Just they,..... concerned, educated, elected, Aldermans from The Hague, want only wild grass growing in these dunes! The way they were meant to be, I suppose? In these days of Finacial Crisis, I find it rather disturbing. Economical Cutbacks everywhere, workers pensions being curbed, less funds available for education and health,....but spending more than 3 million euros to cut down trees seems OK. Go figure that out!
Back to the painting. Had it not been for my trustworthy 3 meter parasol, which I use as a wind breaker, it would have been impossible to work on location! It was a feast for the eyes, but my bones were chilled!

Olive tree grove with picker, Abruzzo, Italy

Olijfbomen met plukker, Abruzzo, Italie
oil on canvas
40 x 30 cm
painted on location -
San Vincenzo Vecchio, Valle Roveto, Aq. Abruzzo, 17 11 2011

Not for sale

Here you have yet another painting from my recent sojourn in Italy. The person shown happens to be the woman with whom I'm having a wonderful relationship these days! She accopmanied me on this trip, had a great time admist the spectacular natural setting, housing these highly productive olive trees. Of course we also had the privilege of sampling the fine foods that were prepared with the freshly pressed olives.

As you can see from this photo, I paint what lies before me, however the model is not visible as she was the one who took this picture! It was indeed a pleasure to have a lot of Sunlight, it really lit up the autumn colors, in the valley.

Olive tree wih pickers, Abruzzi, Italy

Olijfboom met plukkers, Abruzzi, Italie
oil on canvas
20 x 20 cm - (8 x 8 inches)
painted on location - Fri 18 Nov 2011
Near San Vincenzo Vecchio, Valle Roveto, Abruzzo)
SOLD

One of four paintings made on my recent sojourn to visit family, paint in this lush natural environment and help out with the olive harvest. Here you have featured three workers, two on the tree, and the third on the ground with only his legs visible. A traditional method of raking(yellow objects held in hand) the olives off the branches is employed, this results in no damage to the olive, thus a better quality olive oil! The olives fall onto the emarld green net which is spread generously under the tree. They are then gathered, by hand, and placed into heavy linen sacks, which are then taken for further sortation. The rest of the trees in the valley are in full autumn colors, thus the hints of warm hues in the background.

View of the 'ZANDMOTOR' Project, from Kijkduin

Gezicht op de 'ZANDMOTOR', Kijkduin, NL
oil on canvas
30 x 80 cm
painted on location - Thurs 10 Oct 2011 


Dear Readers, Here you have a view of the latest extension to our small yet powerfull country, here in The Lowlands! This man made peninsula, has been created to further continue the growth of South Beach, The Hague. The natural erosion of the peninsula, due to the waves, will transport the sand to the beach, thus preventing it (South Beach), from being washed away, due to threatening future storms! That, my friends, is the theory, now I guess we'll get to see if it actually works. I'm sure it will, as Dutch Landscape Engineering, is superb! It is still not ready for beach goers to walk out on the Zandmotor, as the works still continue to this day, however, just like that elderly couple are taking in the view, one can get a good look at it from Kijkduin. On the horizon a cargo ship approaching the harbour of Rotterdam.

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.

Autumn splendor in Bergen, NH #2

Herftse Sfeer in Bergen, NH #2
oil on canvas
50 x 70 cm
painted on location - Wed 26 Oct 2011
€ 700

You might recognize that this is the same view as last posting, only painted from about 25 meters further away. The sky was much more dramatic as you can see, and at times, sunlight did burst through the thick layer of the volumous clouds. This is probably the best time of the year to be making these village scenes. I especially like the coloration of the leafs, as they are making their last attempt to get some recognition of their unique beauty, before they detach themselves from their life hosting source, Mother Nature!