The lonewolf Catamaran, South Beach, The Hague

Catamaran, die zijn eigen weg gaat, Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas
50 x 60 cm
painted on location - Tuesday 24 August 2010  SOLD


Oh, don't I feel this way, most of the time. Accept for my lovely daughter and my deceased mother, no woman to speak about in my life. As an artist, one must endure the fate of the lonewolf. Away from the pack, facing the pearls and pleasures of Nature by oneself. Yes dear art lovers, the artist life is not always a jeux de vivere affair, in fact it is quite the opposite. I usually am painting on my own, usually am in the studio on my own, at the computer on my own, the fate of 21st century artist I suppose. Andy Wahrol had a solution, he invented the concept of transforming the studio into a factory, with several assistants.

Anyway, enough of that, let me share some quotes that I feel give some insights into this painting.

"The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible." (Oscar Wilde)

"I am inspired when the elements and forces of nature combine to form strange and transcendental appearances.....sometimes subtle sometimes dynamic, they act as portals to a mystical realm." (Diana Lehr)

"Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in fain."
( Carl Jung)

There was something about the sky that I could not give words to, until I read that quote from Oscar Wilde.
Same goes for the second quote, although I would like to add that I was definitely inspired by the dynamic forces of nature at play in this scene.
I love the third quote. As a painter I have learned to trust were/what my hands will do whilst at the easel. Seems they have an intelligence of there own!

Thank you to whomever owns this catamaran for leaving it marooned on the beach like that. Thank you to Leo, the owner of strandpavilijon De Fute, for providing me shelter in order to make this painting. And lastly, thank you to all of you who take the time out to enjoy and read these Wet Paintings from The Lowlands postings.

A tranquil moment by the Sea

Een doorluchtig moment op strand
oil on canvas
30 x 150 cm
painted on location - Sunday 8 August 2010   -    SOLD

Painted nearly 3 weeks ago, don't I wish the situation was like this right now. Oh well, can't have everything I supppose. One of the reasons why plein-air paintings are appreciated so much, is that in fact, they do capture and when successful, sustain that moment in time, forever. Will, let me be more accurate, for as long as that painting lasts. It is the responsibility of the artist to insure longevity, and you can rest assured that il pittore, attends to this. With a brisk wind, I had my parasol laying flat on the beach, thus keeping this canvas from taking flight. Thousands of very fine particals of sand made the surface of this painting their place of residence. I'm not at all disturbed by this, in fact find it fits in with the theme.

Mother and child greeting the North Sea

Moeder en kind begroeten het Noord Zee
oil on canvas
30 x 150 cm
painted on location - Wed 11 August 2010 -  SOLD

Forces of Mother Nature can at times feel overwhelming, leaving the observer with a non-hospitable welcome. In this case the wind rustles softly through the hair of a mother and her child. It is a warm vigorous wind, filling ones lungs with goodness and life. In the secure grip of her Mothers hand, the child finds confidence and strenght in facing what could be a perlious situation to such a tender aged bundle of joy. Summer is coming to a close, the Earth is distancing herself from the Sun. The warm rays of that life supporting Astral star still shine, but the touch of them on ones bare skin is lessening. This scene needed something to calm it down. The Creative Intelligence abounding everywhere, (and I mean everywhere), quickly responded and gifted il pittore with a most delicate and colorfull reply. Interesting to note, according to Goethe and other esteemed Germans, such as Franz Marc, yellow is emotionally symbloic of serenity!

Sunday in the Park, Apeldoorn

Zondag en 't Park Marialust, Apeldoorn
oil on canvas,30 x 90 cm
painted on location - Sunday 15 August 2010
SOLD

The chamber ensemble, Dudok Kwartet, plays to a delighted audience. In the background an elegant 19th century villa, embraced by an array of splendid naturel beauty. A man selling ice cream, tasty sandwiches being prepaired by the cooks assistant, as you can see he was more interested in listening to the music,(check him out, he is propped against the left front pole of the small tent). This scene was hard to pass up for il pittore, who was taking part in a local painters festival, which took place here in the fertile Marialust Park, in Apeldoorn. I was told there would be a preformance of classical music, coming from the large party tent, thus, one and a half hours before the concert started, I began working on this painting. The pre-work paid off, as when the crowds gathered, it became a matter of working them into the already painted-in composition. This technique is commonly referred to as wet-on-wet, fresh paint applied to non dry paint. Yes folks, I don't call my blog, 'Wet Paintings from The Lowlands' for nothing.

Path in the dunes, Summer Splendor

Pad naar de Noord Zee, Westduinpark, DH, Zomers Schoonheid
oil on canvas
60 x 90 cm (nice size, not too big and not small)
painted on location - Thursday 29 July 2010

Painted over, no longer exists.

Welcome back to all you that were on vacation. As you can see, provided the right conditions, you have all the wonders of Natures' beauty, right at your doorstep (that is provided you live in The Lowlands!). So next year, get yourself a good pair of hiking shoes, or a decent touring bicycle (feits in Dutch), and enjoy what beauty that can befall your eyes, right here in Holland. Of course the food is not as good and affordable as you could find in Italy or France. However, when your camping, or staying at a bungalow park, along the North Sea coast, with a bit of creativity and the right ingredients, you can easily cook up a tasty pasta dish. Back to the painting, bright sunny day with scrumptious fluffy clouds, casting shadows, creating the right contrasts, in order for you the viewer to easily digest this colorfull visual display, on a splendid summers day.



Just for your interest, the same scene painted this yaer in the winter

Sailing the North Sea

Bij de wind zeilen, Noord Zee
oil on canvas
30 x 60 cm
painted on location - Saturday 24 July 2010

SOLD

Here I am, back in the Lowlands, visiting what now has become my painters paradise, here on planet Earth. And why shouldn't it be? Racing clouds, shipshafting before my very eyes, forming unimaginable shapes. Hues on the sea, dancing around like some drunken old time hip hop babe. Sailboats parading up and down the coast, as if walking the catwalk in the extravagent Paris Hilton. Yes folks, if your not a seasoned outdoor painter, don't even think about setting up on this neck of the woods. The visuals will tear you inside out. Me, I just love it. The faster things change before my eyes, the easier it is to paint. Actually what drives me up the wall is static objects. Take buildings for example, e-e-each! What nothing changes, .... Christ were do I begin? Thank God for the shifting light conditions, that is, if the Sun is shinning. Well, I might have gone overboard on this description! Oh well, just take in a deep breath, have a look, and inhale those salty fragrances from these fridged waters, and feel that granduer and sublimity?

Sperlonga, Italy and view from

Straatje met ophangende was, Sperlonga, Italiaoil on gessoed wooden panel
13 x 18 cm ( postcard size)
painted on location - Thurs 15 July 2010

Private collection, Sora, Italy

During my stay in Italy, I was taken twice to this seaside resort village. Well known by your average Italian, but I bit there are not more than a 3 people from my mailing list that know of this medieval hilltop town, engulfed by pretty beachs! It's almost 40 degrees in the sun, too hot to even think, let alone consider doing any sort of physical labour. I make my way through the ancient narrow streets which seem to be carved right out of the mountain side in which the village is wrapped around. Find a spot still fresh as the Sun never shines directly on this stairway. I am inspired by the colors of the wash hanging between the houses, and the contrasr of light and dark, caused by the shadows. After completing the above painting I proceeded up the steps which can be seen to the left of the image, and was taken by surprise with this delightfull view, looking North along the seaside. Yes the charm of Sperlonga, is a must, to be experienced. Located on the beach are the remains of one of the many Summer Villa's of Roman Emperor Tiberius (AD 14-37).




Gezicht vanaf Sperlonga
oil on gessoed wooden panel
13 x 18 cm (postcard size)
painted on location - Thurs 15 July 2010

private collection

Father and Child in olive grove, Sora, Italy

Olijfbomen, Sora, Italia
oil on gessoed board
13 x 18 cm
painted on location - Thurs 8 July 2010
SOLD

Finding myself visiting with relatives in my home town of Sora, Frosinone, which is located just under Rome, off the main highway heading towards Naples. This scene is actually located at the back of the house were I was lodging. The figures, Father and child were painted in intentionally. The third figure, presumably the mother, springing out of the tree behind the father, , happened purely by coincidence, and actually was pointed out to me by a female cousin somedays later.

Catamarans, South Beach, The Hague

Gezicht op Zuiderstrand met Catamaranen, Den Haag
oil on canvas, 70 x 50 cm
painted on location - Friday 2 July 2010  SOLD

Back on the internet ladies and gentlemen, after a 2 week holiday with my daughter in Italy. Visiting with relatives that live in a mountainous region, North of Naples, South of Rome. Here you have the result of the last painting I made just before leaving. It is relatively quite on the beach, for such a lovely summers day. Most people here in The Lowlands where busy watching Holland defeat Brazil in the quater finals of the WK 2010. As a hommage to the National Dutch team, you guessed it, I intentionally added a touch of orange here and there! Unusual format for a seascape, but I found it worked well due to the long vertical masts attached to the sailing vessels. Again the Dutch skies are always a delight to paint. A slight hint of water on the bottom left. I actually was keeping cool in the warm heat, by having my bare feet submerged under the refreshing salty waters of The North Sea. A close up for your viewing pleasure.

Path in the dunes, with horse trail

Pad in de duinen, met paard, Noordwijk Aan Zee.oil on canvas
40 x 30 cm
painted on location - Saturday 26 June 2010
SOLD



Back to a theme I love to paint, 'paths in the dunes'. I love that this is pretty well an all natural situation. Apart from the metal wires running between the wooden poles, nature dominates everywhere. You can clearly see that we are having exceptionally warm weather here, with plenty of sunshine. Riders on their horses pass this way on a regular basis, taking their beloved four legged friends for a cool workout on the beach just over the top of the hill.

Impressions from Noordwijk Painters Festival 2010

Painting at Sea side, Noordwijk Aan ZeeMonday 21 June 2010 (late afternoon)

Here I am on my knees, yet once more, getting just the right view necessary to paint the scene which is on the painting just below. This is the 1st of 28 paintings (officially 26 submitted to the festival, 2 were completely re-painted, thus 28!) made on location starting Monday 21 to Sunday morning 27th June, at this fantastic painting event. Probably the best painters festival in the world, for sure #1 in Europe. And luckily for il pittore it takes place just 25 klm up the coast from were I live. I haven't missed this event for the last 8 years now. Together with a total of 84 painters, working on location, I had the time of my life.


Here you have solid prove, that my works are indeed "fresh from the easel" The festival is about to begin, it is almost 8pm and I am about to register my first 2 paintings. (If you look carefully on top of this picture you see a smalll 18 x 24 cm, made right after the 30 x 90 cm was finished)



This is a view looking south from the beach at Noordwijk, 60 x 80 cm, 1st of 6 paintings made on the 2nd day of the festival.



By day 3 of this week, the weather took everyone by surprise and jumped up to a most welcomed 28 degrees celsius. I found a comfortable spot in the shade next to a beach cafe called 'the seagull'. Thus I made two paintings of this scene. The beach entrance to the cafe has this lovely bronze of a mermaid, I noticed the play of light bouncing off her, thus was inspired to make this 18 x 24 cm canvas, and a 30 x 60 cm as well.



These 2 paintings (above, 30 x 90 cm, below 20 x 140 cm) were made on day 5.
I had two easels set up and I made these works simultaneously. Thank God I had the shade of my own parasol to asist me in seeing what the @/ beep !* $# I was up to on these paintings. Have you noticed the karate kid practicing his kick on the long painting here below! Thus North view shown on top, south view here under.




This is merely a selection of the 26 paintings. Next posting well feature one of the 2 paintings that did not sell, thus a total of 24 art works from il pittore have found there way into peoples homes. If events like this would take place on a regular basis, say once/twice a month, I'd be a millionare in no time!

Sailing Club House, South Beach, The Hague

HKZV Den Haag, met hooge wind
oil on canvas, 30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Wed 16 June 2010 - re-worked in studio Wed 25 April 2012
SOLD

The wind was blowing with considerable force, didn't have too many options, re setting up. However after having a warm Mint tea at beach cafe De Fuute, I decided to paint this scene, partially baraccaded from the wind. Had to get down low, to protect myself and my gear. Unfortunately I got to the point were my feet were becoming numb, due to the cold wind. (Optimistically I put on a pair of shorts and sandals, what a mistake!) I'm glad those sailors decided to brave the wild North Sea, it brought to realization a point of interest in this scene. The front sail is being unravelled, in about 20 minutes that cat will be catching some high winds. Those dudes are gonna get quite a work out.

Otinko's World

De wereld van Otinko
oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm
painted on location - 2 occasions, finished off in studio (28/5 - 11/6 2010)

private collection, The Hague

Commoissioned by the owner of this wonderful creature to paint her, and I must admit I've fallen in love with her. Who knows what she is longing for, in those melancholic puppy eyes? Whatever it is, it strikes a cord in my own heart. The play of light plays a pivotal role in this composition, without it the scene would lack depth and interest.

Beach Cafe South, The Hague

Strandpaviljon Zuid, Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas, 100 x 150 cm (inderdaad grot)
painted on location in 4 settings, May/June 2010

Private Collection, The Hague

It is still morning, however the mid day Sun has almost reached its zeinth (highest point) and is wanting to shower this beach with heat and light. People are arriving in large numbers, soon the beach will be covered wall-to-wall with delighted Dutch folk, who are well aware of the fact, that here in The Lowlands, you make it a priority to get to the beach, on such lovely warm sunny days. This is a first for il pittore, to work on such a large format on location. Exposed to the elements, in this case, the wind being a crucial factor. I was also risking the possiblity of getting fined by he local authorities, (oh don't they love to hand out fines in this neck of the woods!), as I had to position myself just behind that inconvenient barbed wired fence, to get this amazing view. If you scroll down my blog a few postings back, you will find the study made for this commission piece.
Again for your viewing pleasure, two details.

A beautiful day at Wijk Aan Zee, NH

Mooie daag bij Wijk Aan Zee, NH
oil on canvas
40 x 100 cm
painted on location - Thurs 20 may 2010


No this is not a copy of the posting made on Wed. 26th of May. In fact this work was made almost a week before that painting. The same beach, yes, but have a close look, you will notice that the prespective is different. On this painting I'm postioned somewhere about the middle of the beach, on the other one I was very close to the shoreline. The atmospheric conditions on this one are less dramatic, sea vapour is clearing up, promising azure sky on the way. This was painted on a week day, thus the beach is less populated, the other one was made on a national holiday. There are times when being on location working in such ideal conditions, is such a privilidge, man am I ever gratefull, my expereince at Wijk Aan Zee has been great fun. Hope you are enjoying these images.

Sea Vapour on South Beach #2, The Hague

Zuiderstrand met zee damp #2, DH
oil on canvas
20 x 140 cm
painted on location - Sat 22 May 2010  -  SOLD

Made directly after I painted 'Sea vapour on S. beach, posted a couple of days ago. This work takes on a whole different aspect, thanks to its format. Giving one a glimpse of the beach that one is confronted with when actually there physically. It is so difficult for me to get a decent picture of this size canvas, thus the two details, serve in this case an important function.

Invitation to fun and adventure, Wijk Aan Zee

Dagje uit op strand, Wijk Aan Zee
oil on canvas, 60 x 90 cm
painted on location - Monday 24 May 2010
SOLD

It is just past 8am, on a lovely morning this Holiday Monday here in Europe . Slowly people who slept in their beach houses are getting up, a mother takes a walk along the beach with her daughter, once in a while a jogger passes by. I just woke up 45 minutes prior, in a beach house attached to that beachcafe on the left. In the distance a cargo ship, probably making its way to Rotterdam, chatches the morning sunlight on its stern. The flags are being gently caressed by the sea breeze. Everything about this scene is an invitation to the seeker of fun and adventure on this stretch of ground, sea and air along the coastline, here in The Lowlands.

Sunny beach scene, North Holland.

"There is nothing ugly; I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may, – light, shade, and perpective will always make it beautiful." *

Zonnig strandgezicht,Wijk Aan Zee, NH
oil on canvas
40 x 100 cm
painted on location - Monday 24 May 2010
SOLD



This scene you are viewing can certainly testify to that quote from the famous 19th century English landscape painter. 24 hours of ideal sunny weather is slowly coming to a close. In the distance, a darkening sky filled with warm grey vapourous hues, the ceiling covered by scattering patches of clouds, swiftly making there way inland. Yet that ever welcomed celestial blue sky affords this strech of beach with a warm comforting light. Il pittore, as usuall on location, as clearly demonstrated in the snapshot below, synchronously captures the situation at hand. Just two hours later, the whole beach, sea and sky was completely covered in sea vapour, visibility limited to 35 meters. Characterized by high dunes and beach houses, Wijk Aan Zee, is cherished by Amsterdam city dwellers.


"The sky is the source of light in Nature and it governs everything."
*John Constable

Sea Vapour on South Beach, The Hague

Zuiderstrand met zee damp
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Sat 22 May 2010
SOLD

Here I am back on south beach. Went with the intention of working on a large commission piece, but low and behold, the Sun decided to sleep in until about 4pm that afternoon. Thus as the saying goes, "If they throw lemons at you, make lemon juice", hence, I decided to set up my easel anyway. Am glad I did, cause this and another painting were created on that desolate, yet typical beach scene, here in The Lowlands.

detail of the jogger,

Two views of Beach house South, The Hague

Zuidstrandpaviljon, Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas
10 x 15 cm
painted on location - April 2010
SOLD

Two small studies made in preparation for a large commission of this most appeallingly colorfull beach house/cafe on this strech of beach. As you can see, depending on how the light falls on the structure, it takes on varied qualites. It is still early in the season, and thus not too crowded.

"The moving brilliance of the silvery wave"

"De bewegende schittering van de zilveren golf"
oil on canvas
20 x 140 cm
painted on location - Sunday 25 April 2010

SOLD



Back to a theme which inspires me very much these days, The Sea. I'm going to use a quote that speaks most poetically on this subject, by the great French painter, Odilon Redon (1840 - 1916), written July 3rd 1875 (some of you may remember that I already quoted this text back in July 2009);

"You hear it nearby and it attracts you. The sea is here, magnificent, imposing and superb with its obstinate clamor. Imperious and terrible clamor, it makes strange remarks. The voices of the infinite are before you. Nothing of human life.... Here, the immense beach, undefined, of which the edges are mingling with the sea itself, with the day and the light, with the moving brilliance of the silvery wave. Painters, go look at the sea. There you will see the marvels of color and light, the sparkling sky. You will feel the poetry of the sands, the charms of the air, of the imperceptible hue. You will return from there stronger and full of great accents. Poets, go and see this beach. You will have to sing the mystery of infinity. On these shores you will discover intense solitude. Musicians go listen to its harmony. All of you, finally, who are tired of wordly life, all of you who are oppressed by the weight of days, all of you who work unceasingly in the womb of our miseries, all you men of the fields and humble people-go and breathe in the strength and faith of fertile nature, our mother and friend."

Don't know about you, but I get goose bumps on my skin when I read that! And let me tell you, don't I know about those "imperceptible hues" ! The North Sea is loaded with them. Sometimes colors beyond my wildest imagination, confront me and demand of me to formulate hues on my palette that are not even registered in most accepted color charts. Does this challenge me, you bet. But that is precisely why this theme excites the artist in me. And in turn, my only desire is that I may faithfully capture for you, the connoisseur of the fine art of painting, a moment of magic and beauty that takes place on the humble shoreline of the North Sea, here in The Lowlands.

Path in the dunes, Westduinpark, evening sunlight #2

Pad en de duinen, S'avonds licht #2
oil on canvas board
18 x 24 cm
painted on location - Thurs 22 April 2010



Well, thought it would be appropriate to lead you back to South Beach, The Hague, with this all natural path, which is actually an unofficial passage, enjoyed mostly by dogs and their caretakers. Regognized paths are equipped with uninviting barrbed wire fencing, totally unattractive and dangerous, but functional I suppose. Beyond the blazing wild grasses is the entrance to the harbors at Scheveningen, featuring the renowned lighthouses, and the mast of a returning sailing vessel.

Beach Scene # 5, Texel, Holland

Strand gezicht #5, Texel, NL
oil on canvas
50 x 100 cm
painted on location - Sat 10 April 2010

As one can clearly see in this view, the sand is actually raising higher at the horizon line. This is not to common on beach paintings, but as I said on one of the postings from this series, the sand of the beachs here are being sculpted by an invisible hand, due to high swirling winds from the North. The heavy volumonous clouds over the horizon line are just beginning there journey to cover this beach and much of the island, in fact those are the cumulus clouds that I featured on that small painting of the previous posting.

Beach Scenes # 3 & # 4, Texel, Holland

Strand gezicht #3, Texel, NL
oil on canvas 15 x 30 cm
painted on location, - Sat 10 April 2010

This little canvas although rather small in dimension, still manages to afford the viewer an emmense view of a solitary beach. Nature dominates in Il pittores vision, thus I choose to keep the crowds at bay. Those savoury cumulus clouds where casting shadows that literally swept by at a speed comparable to a gutsy BMW travelling on a German autobaan.



Strand gezicht #4, Texel, NL
oil on canvas
60 x 80 cm
painted on location - Friday 9 April 2010

private collection, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Almost the same view as beach scene #2, this was made on a sunny yet very windy day. Cloud formations were mind boggeling, to say the least. What can I say, that hasn't been said already? Texel is a cool place, if you love nature, then it is really worth a visit. Nice people also, Island folk, somewhat less hurried than us urban dwellers.

View of the beach #2, Texel, Holland

Strand gezicht #2 Texel, NL
oil on canvas
60 x 80 cm (thus a fair size)
painted on location - Monday 12 April 2010

SOLD


Texel is known for its vast beaches, which most people here value dearly, as space is a much cherished comoditiy here in this somewhat overcrowded little country of The Lowlands. What I've done here on this canvas, is give ample room for the sky to dominate the composition, thus creating a sense of grandeous space. The clouds were also fun to paint, as they formed into shapes unique to this area.

The colors of the detail shown here below are truer to the original canvas.

Lighthouse, Texel, Holland

Vuurtoren met s'avonds licht, Texel,NL
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Friday 9 April 2010

Just behind me and above my left shoulder the Sun was beginning its descent. Thus the colors in the sky and land are bathed in warm hues. The lighthouse absorbs the light in a rather fashionable manner, casting off a remarkable hue of Cadmium red. These Islands are renowned for their lighthouses, I'm sure that the American artist, Edward Hopper (1882-1967), would have delighted in painting them. Just to give you an idea of the size of this building structure, I painted two figures walking up the dune.