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.

Racing Clouds/Crashing Waves Series, Noordwijk

Racing Clouds/Clashing Waves #1
oil/sand on canvas, 24 x 30cm
painted on location - Fri 22 June 2012
SOLD

Not much action on the beach besides us hard core plein air painters, and kite surfers!

Racing Clouds/Crashing Waves #2
oil/sand on canvas, 25 x 35 cm
painted on location - Fri 22 June 2012


Sky taking on a rather imposing cloud formation, rain was just around the bend!

 

Racing Clouds/Crashing Waves #5
oil/sand on canvas, 35 x 25 cm
painted on location - Fri 22 June 2012
SOLD

  

This one was actually swallowed up by a crashing wave, pulled it just in time, and myself(up to my thighs) and some of my gear, totally drenched!

 Racing Clouds/Crashing Waves #4
oil/sand on canvas, 35 x 25 cm
painted on location _ Fri 22 June 2012

SOLD,   private collection, Den Haag











This work features a burst of rain cushing down from that dark grey cloud. Within a few minutes that water was pouring over me, took the painting and myself under the protection of my Yellow Parasol! A windsurf kite in the distance, and another surfer closer to me, thinking it over, or at least getting a feel for the force of the waves!

Racing Clouds/Crashing Waves #3
oil/sand on canvas, 35 x 25 cm
painted on location - Fri 22 June 2012

SOLD  private collection - Noordwijk











Funky sky on this one! Was about to correct color, but thought, although unreal,..... it made for an interesting image. All these works and the 50 x 100 cm of my last posting all painted behind that yellow parasol (picture below)

me working on #5, in about 45 minutes the water has reached my position....the end of that parasol was near. (painter behind me is Hans Versfelt, Roos Schuring was set up next to him, but she was busy taking this picture!)

Windy Summer beach scene, Noordwijk

Strand gezicht met hoge wind, Noordwijk Aan Zee
oil on canvas
50 x 100 cm
painted on location (see picture above)  -  Fri 22 june 2012


The 1st of six paintings made on this very sunny yet extremely windy day at the Noordwijk painters festival. This was the start of the 5th day, I had already produced 17 paintings at this point, since the start of the festival on Monday evening 18th June. The next two postings, I´ll show the other works made this day. Rather intense circumstances to work under, with the wind force reaching almose 8.5! My popular yellow parasol, faithfully held together for more than 7hrs, until the sea finally gulfed it up at 18.45hrs. The waves coming up much high than expected, the pressure of the water ripped through the fabric with the slightest of effort.  Under such conditions, one must work efficiently and with the upmost attention at getting the paint on the canvas as quickely as possible. Resulting in fresh vibrant, rendering of the scene at hand.

Large Beach Scene, Noordwijk

 Strand gezicht, Noordwijk Aan Zee,
 oil on canvas, 50 X 100cm,
 painted on location  -  Tues 19.6. 2012

no longer exists, painted over!

One of the early paintings made on the Noordwijkschilderfestival, think it was the 3rd of 24 paintings made in 5 days. The weather was still rather pleasant. However on close observation, you can see evidence of a shifting weather pattern. Look at the stiffness of those 5 flags on the right. The clouds are actually moving rather quickley inland, this is shown by the upward movement of the clouds. The wind was picking up, and was bound to stay with us for the rest of the week!

The Hobby Tiger, (Catamaran) x 2, South Beach

De  Hobby Tiger, HKZV, Zuiderstrand, DH #1
oil on canvas
18 x 13 cm ,
painted on location  -  Thurs  7 June 2012
SOLD

De Hobby Tiger, HKZV, Zuiderstrand, DH #2
oil on canvas,
13 x 18 cm,
painted on location - Thurs 7 June 2012 SOLD

I had  my painting gear ready to go finish the Minerva ship painting, (my previous posting), however it was still too early to sit up, so I headed to one of my favourite locations. Was debating whether to make a horizontal or vertical shape canvas, so I resolved that decision by making both, on a small scale, with the idea, that I might make a larger version, after seeing the results. In the horizon one can see smoke coming from an enormous chimney, a part of the oil refineries, at the entrance to the Rotterdam Harbour. Your feedback would be appreciated, re format, horizontal or vertical?

The 3 mast gaff schooner, 'Minerva'

't 3 mast gaffelschoener 'De Minerva', Scheveningen
oil on linnen, 30 x 60 cm
Tues 5 & Thurs 7 July 2012    
SOLD

Built in Germany in 1935, this 49 meter work of true craftsmanship is proudly on display at the Inner Harbour Scheveningen, here in The Lowlands.  I have been contemplating painting this lovely three mast schooner ever since my eyes first made contact with it some years ago. As tomorrow is Vlaggetjesdag (Flag Day) here in Scheveningen, a festival to celebrate the new season of the harring fish, I finally set up my gear, and made this painting.  I will be showing this and a fine selection of about 15 sea scapes at an art market on a stall approximately 20 meters from were I made this painting!  Come and say hello if you  happen to be in the area.

Sky and Seascape studies, Noordwijk Aan Zee

Cloudy sky with seagulls,
oil on 3 wood panels,
15 x 30 cm
painted on location - Fri 18 may 2012      SOLD

Beach scene with Noordwijk Sailing Clubhouse
oil on 3 wood panels,
15 x 30 cm
painted on location - Fri 18 May 2012    SOLD

Made on the 1st morning that I woke up in the hotel De Baak, on the boulevard in Noordwijk, while I was guest artist at the Opera Aan Zee 2012 event, these two small format oils give one a fairly good representation of  typical cloudy Dutch skies. Low horizon line, bringing the viewer right up close to the scene painted. (Top work sold, bottom work still available)

Sea Mist, Noordwijk Aan Zee

     Father and Son with pet 'Jackie', oil on canvas, 24 x 30cm, painted on location, Monday 28 May 2012,  
SOLD

Family outing on a misty beach, oil on canvas, 25 x 35cm, painted on location, Monday 28 May 2012,
SOLD

Here you have 2 scenes of the very same beach from my last posting, what a difference! As Constable once said the sky governs everything, when it comes to painting plein air. The atmospheric conditions were such that visibility was 'nada'. There was so much moisture in the air that my sight glasses kept getting damp to the point were i couldn't see through them! I was all set up and decided to paint the scene at hand, regardless. Must admit, wish this would happen more often, as a delicate mood is created, making very fine subject matter to paint.

detail of  Father and Son with 'Jackie'

Let the good times roll, Noordwijk Aan Zee!

Strandgezicht Noordwijk Aan Zee
oil on canvas, 20 x 50 cm
painted on location - Sat 26 May 2012    SOLD

Summer is in the air, and you know what, it came and went, in the period of 48 hrs! Will I'm almost positive we will get it back again, before September rolls around. Spent last holiday weekend again at Noordwijk Aan Zee, were I was guest painter at the Opera Aan Zee 2012. Here you have 1 of 4 seascapes made in that period. Also knocked off 7 opera scene paintings! Thus while for most of you a holiday weekend, not for il pittore. However I did chill out between painting.

 

                                               family shot taken by the photographer Johan Westra

 

Morning Mist, Noordwijk Aan Zee beach scene

Het begin van een mooie dag, strand Noordwijk Aan Zee #1-2012
oil on canvas, 20 x 50cm
painted on location - Sunday 20 May 2012
SOLD

Finding myself staying at hotel, de Baak, not far away from Huis ter Duin, thus right on the boulevard, I took the opportunity to go paint on the beach during my Artist in Residency stay at Opera Aan Zee 2012. A sudden burst of heat has created this hazy scenario, which of course cleared up later on that day.

Opera Aan Zee 2012, Noordwijk Aan Zee, Holland

Three scenes of the Opera Aan Zee,
oil on canvas
50 x 40 cm  each
painted on location  -  Fri 18 - Sun 20 May 2012

SOLD

Last year at the Noordwijkschildersfestival I was awarded the price Artist in Residence at this event. The price includes lodging at a hotel in Noordwijk Aan Zee, and the chance to make and sell paintings of the shows. Thus the audience get to see the performance, (which take place on the terraces and patios of selected residences), of both the musicians and an artist painting the scene. Of course the pressure is on,... well I did my best, here you have the results. These works are made during the performance, which last less than one hour, in most cases!  Back on location next Friday thru to Monday, 25 - 28th.

Come on child, let's go now....

Schiet op kind,
oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Wijk Aan Zee, Mon 8 May2012
SOLD

The mother of this child seems quite concerned to relocate to some other location. The scene seems non threatening, but then again we don't see what is not included on the surface of this canvas. Most likely, the winds have picked up, and a storm is brewing up somewhere in the distance, as they both seem to be observing something, to the right.  But then again maybe the mother just wants to get the childs attention. I have used the motive of a previous posting, however with many changes.

Beach Pavilion 'De Kust', Wijk Aan Zee,NH

Strandpaviljoen De KUSt, met s'avonds licht,
oil on wooden panel
35 x 22cm  -  14" x 8.5"
painted on location -  Sat 12 May 2012

SOLD

The Netherlands flag, proudly displayed, gives you some indication of the weather these days here in The Lowlands.  The evening Sun casts a warm glow and gives a soft delicate look to the beach entrance of this cafe along the coast here in Wijk Aan Zee. I was being hosted by the owners of this establishment in a beach house just to the right of this cafe. The mixture of warm and cool colours create harmony and balance while doing great service to define the space in this composition.

Oil study Wijk aan Zee

Beach houses at Wijk Aan Zee
oil on wooden panel
10 x 15cm
painted on location -  Sunday 6 May 2012 SOLD

Just a quick study of the situation that afternoon.  Clouds racing by at speeds that made it impossible to work any larger than this. I don't believe in taking pictures,  and then working from them. You will most likely loose the essence of the subject at hand. And besides, after all is said and done, I am a painter not a photographer.

Wijk Aan Zee, Beach scene #1-2012

Strandgezicht WAZ, NH, met twee kinderen
oil on canvas
24 x 30cm  -  6.5" x 12"
paintd on location  -  Sunday 6 May 2012
SOLD

Am busy these days painting in Wijk Aan Zee, (just north of Haarlem), during the art manifesation, Ezels En Kwasten 2012. Yesterday, the sky finally broke open after many days of overcast dismal weather,  these lovely thick clouds were being blown in from the land, affording me the oppurtunity to represent them on this piece of linen. Characteristic of this beach are the many beach houses privately owned, lined up against these spectacular high dunes. The next few postings will be of paintings from this location.

Big Band Jazz in De Fuut, South Beach, DH

Jazz en, Strandpavilijoen De Fuut, Zuiderstrand, Den Haag
oil on canvas, 24 x 30cm
painted on location - Sunday 29 Apirl 2012
SOLD

A female singer, adds a spark of colour to this Big Band ensemble all dressed in black. The drummer keeping the beat, while the director (with his back to us) pulls it all together,...what a scene to be able to paint! A first for il pittore, to actually make a painting of the interior of a beach cafe! Every Sunday Leo, owner of this establishment, brings Live Jazz music for the ardent jazz fan. Just as colourful inside as it is on the outside, a pleasure and indeed a gift  for me to be able to work in and around this beach cafe.

Beach Entrance # 10, South Beach, The Hague

 

Zuiiderstrand Den Haag, Aanslag #10 

oil on canvas

60 x 30 cm

painted on location  -  Wed. 25 April 2012 SOLD

Painted almost one week ago, I'm now posting this work which depicts the entrance I use for almost all of my seascape paintings. To the left is the Catamaran clubhouse HKZV, then follows beach cafe/restaurant De Fuut. To the right one is afforded the view of Scheveningen, to the left, Kijkduin and Hoek van Holland. As one can see by looking closely at this canvas, it was a rather windy day, as sand covers the whole area of the canvas. Being the middle of the week and still rather early in the morning, not much traffic walking down that paved path, however was glad with the two bicycles locked up to the wooden fence, bringing this scene unmistakeably to The Lowlands