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!

Autumn splendor in Bergen, NH

Breelaan, Bergen NH, met herfst sfeer
oil on canvas
50 X 40cm
painted on location - Sun. 30 Oct 2011 (as can be verified by the photo below)
SOLD

Like I mentioned on my previous posting, have been busy painting in Bergen, NH. With the Kunst10daagse taking place, a major Art event here in The Lowlands, il pittore, went on location, to promote his work, and capture the warm colors of the autumn atmosphere. The road leads to a market scene, crowded with people walking about, and of course, typical of Holland, a couple of bicycle riders. Last year I was also painting near to this location, if you like to check those painting out, and other works I made in Bergen, then just go to my blog, (link below on signature), and klick the label, village scene, on the right coloum.

Beach house, Bergen aan Zee

Strandpavijlion, Bergen aan Zee
oil on wood, 10 x 40 x 4 cm
painted on location - Wed 26 Oct 2011
SOLD

Have been painting in Bergen NH for 2 days, as the Kunst10Daagse is taking place, and the energy is fantastic! Creativity flowing around that town like crazy. Made four paintings in two days. The other works are of village scenes and an autumn forest view. A most picturesque village, once was home to some very famous Dutch artist's and still today, housing various well known persons from the Arts, here in The Lowlands. This is a rather small piece, however offering an enormous amount of space, and ready to hang.

The North Sea, clouds and shadow

de Noord Zee
oil on canvas
60 x 70 cm
painted on location - Wed 22 June 2011 and June 2012     (no longer exists!)

Why I'm posting this work now and not earlier, God only knows! Painted during the Noordwijk Painters Festival, one of 4 paintings I made that day, and let me tell you, what a day it was!!! Have a look at the picture below, that's me working on this very painting. I even made the National News here in The Lowlands that day. Rain, wind, Sun, more wind, less rain, more Sun, then no Sun, and more high winds,... as you can clearly see in the painting, Dutch clouds were the order of the day, and taking advantage of this were the hard core kitesurfers. Not like most of the other painters that day, who stayed indoors, I braved the elements, mind you I did position myself next to a beach cafe, thus somewhat protected from the wind. As a result, the freelance photographer, Johan Westra, who was looking for subjects to shoot, found me.

South Beach, DH (View of)

Gezicht van Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas, 20 x 140 cm
painted on location - Sat 1 Oct 2011
SOLD

Here in The Lowlands, we just came out of an unexpected but, indeed, welcomed heat wave. I made it to the beach on two occasions, this being the result of the second visit. It was early Saturday morning, the light was soft yet intense. Vapor was so thick, that at times the horizon line was not even visible! On this occasion, I felt inspired to capture the whole sceneat hand. Thus starting with the dunes on the left, I brought them to the vanishing point, somewhere right of center. Beach sand from left to right, covering almost the whole area of the bottm half. A hint of the horizon line and, well, just about 67 billion litres of Sea water covers a very small portion of the right side of the canvas! On the details below, you see the entrance to the beach, above the temporary beach cafe 'DeKwartel', then a view of the Atlantic Hotel, hardly visible because of the mist, finally the water with some persons strolling about.

Autumn splendor in Delft

Herfst sfeer te Delft
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Sat 24 Sept 2011

SOLD

While paying a visit to a gallery owner that represents some of my work, (located next to that red building on the right). I couldn't resist making this little scene of the situation at hand. A very playful treatment of brush and paint on a canvas that already had a light burgundy reddish tint, thus you see that coming through, especially on the lower left and bottom of canvas.

Footprints on the beach, South Beach, DH

Vertical NoordZeegezicht #6, met catamaran
oil on canvas
80 x 60 cm - (31.5 x 24 inches, thus a fair size!)
painted on location - Fri 23 Sept 2011, re-worked in studio, Mon 26 Sept 2011  -  SOLD


Here you have yet another vertical format seascape, however this time not so extreme with the verticalness! I had to do quite some work to this scene, in my studio. Still fresh with the memory of the situation, and of course how could I not remember what that strech of beach looks like, after all these years! Thanks to a few days of high winds, and some very hard crashing breaking waves, the shoreline begins to take on a natural flavor. Personally I like it better this way. So much re-ordering of things (the Dutch love to do this) has taken place on this beach, it was looking too neat for sometime. A lovely day for sailing, and taking a stroll on the beach, thus evidence of both appear on the canvas. If you look close enough, you will see the chap on the cat! If you don´t know it yet, you can click on the image to see it enlarged.

Vertical North Seascape # 5

Verticaal vlak, Noordzee # 5
oil on canvas
80 x 30 cm
painted on location - Fri 16 Sept 2011

SOLD

Capturing the Dutch light at Sea, seems to be becoming a new theme for me. What is interesting for me, is that I can really get those clouds down on the surface of the canvas. And what is of interest for you, is the unusual format of this series. Allowing the possibility to create space in those dead end corners of your living quarters. As these canvases take up much more hieght than width, the possibilities are unique.