Another painting from the Oudekerk in Amsterdam. I finally have time to do these things – and actually without rushing it too much. With this pillar I’m still trying to get a feel for it, before starting more complex parts of the building.
This coming Monday a German TV team will film me there for their travel show. They will also visit me at home – so I’ll be busy all this weekend cleaning up, so it looks respectable. I’m really curious what they will do.
Oudekerk 2, oil on 30x40 cm linen
There is my lonely easel in the church. The Oudekerk is btw. surrounded by the red light district.
Finally I can show all the results of the “Art for Arts Sake” event at Distelweg that I talked about earlier. Nadia organized a collaboration weekend. Nadia, David, Ronald and me were painting together on lots of pieces.
It was an interesting surprise to see how much people enjoyed watching the process, even staying there for hours on both days. It’s surely something we want to do again.
Some of my paintings on the wall.
The audience was hypnotized
Sitting around and doodling
Besides being fun, I think its very good for learning. We gave every piece to the next person as soon as we were stuck. So the flow was nice, since everyone had an idea how to continue. And you could very exactly see how someone else approached the work.
Here’s the selection of pictures I liked most – but there is more picture stuffs at the beetje-lastig-blog.
Art for Art Sake - Collaboration 3
Collaboration 11 ... bubble-head-girl
Collab 12 ... some interesting 'stories' evolved out of the pictures.
Collab 13 ... an evil fetus - done on audience request
I guess we can blame it on the nice weather, but somehow now every weekend some nice artsy events are going on. In half an hour I’ll leave to Ruigoord – a squatted artists village near Amsterdam … they even got a squatted church. There is the All is One festival today (12th of June) and tomorrow. Not sure what to expect – but 100 artists will be there, so lots to see. I’ll probably do portraits in a tent called “The happy world”.
Until 3 o’clock this morning I was hanging up pictures in a squat in Amsterdam-Noord. There is the “Art for Art’s Sake” event. It started also today, but is continuing next weekend (19th and 20th of June). I will be there at least all next weekend – I think about using oil paint to paint some objects (they have loads of nice rusty machinery there). Or a model if I can find a victim .
Nadia is thinking about using their cinema for collaboration paintings via laptop. I hope that will work out. Entry is free – so come by if you can!
"Art for Art's Sake" - Distelweg 113: Forgot to take proper pictures - here's the room, and where I was beginning building up.
And last week was another sketchmeet – a group of young concept artists running around in Haarlem and drawing. Was a lot of fun. Here are some results of the collaborations we did. Only the sketches I’ve kept – there was loads more of course.
This is a collaboration where one person starts a little drawing, and then the image goes to the next guy. And everyone makes a variation or evolution of it.
This is a drawing I did: supposed to be a huge creature attacked by a tiny cute one. I want to make this into a painting when I find the time.
Since my "aggressive cute creature" failed. I asked around for people to make their versions.
Interesting ideas, I'll combine them for a final one I think.
And as bonus - a little drawing I saw on the Comic-Event that was that day in Haarlem. Some child was drawing the most awesome crocodile ever. Too bad I forgot to take a photo.
On this Queensday I was painting portraits in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark again. This time with even more artists – Henrik joined, Svetlana reserved the spot and took pictures and Ingeborg and Renske were drawing also. Which is nice – it attracts people to watch and makes them want a portrait too.
Even though we were all really exhausted, the whole thing was great fun. I’m looking forward for the next time.
Here we’re setting up the spot.
Waiting time.
Waiting more…
We could only start late, since the rain and cold weather kept people away…
…but finally we got some models.
Henrik proved popular with the female crowd. I don’t approve!
Sometimes one has to take desperate measures to get those little brats to pose. The babies of today show no discipline!
And the following are some of the portraits, unfortunately I did not take photos of every one I made.
She was just awesome – nice model and she lent me her child when the authorities came (before 12 one has to have a child when entering). Thanks a lot
Last week me and somefriends were drawing on beer mats again - I think over the years we filled quite some of them Great fun. Usually I leave them in the bars, but this one is special. Spot how many creatures you can find on this one. Careful though: if you look to long at it, I'm sure you can go insane.
I made a little JavaScript - so if you have a browser with HTML5 support, then you can rotate this with your mouse.
And so that it's not just one image - here is one other coaster I have lying around at home.
Another one, where someone drew me, but I have no clue anymore who did it. If anyone recognizes it, lemme know
Currently there are two joint-showings of my pictures here in Amsterdam. I created a listing, which I want to keep updated from now on.
Firstoff, there is a indefinite exposition in Koppelaar’s Kunsthuiskamer. A gallery in Amsterdam Oud West (close to Central), which is specialized in Amsterdam Cityviews. It will keep 3 of my paintings constantly, only exchanging them with new ones every 3 months. I’m working on several new pictures, so that I can change more often. It is open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 13:00 to 17:00.
And secondly, there is currently the Portrait Month in the Galerie de Stoker. There are artists (including me on Friday) painting portraits in the gallery space, so people can watch. It’s pretty nice, especially now with the sun getting stronger. This happens every Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 17:00. Some of the pictures will stay there for showing. I have a bunch of portraits done, I’ll post them later.
I’ll write two entries about my exhibition that started last week. One practical one, that might help artists looking to organize an exhibition. And this first one more as what it gives to my right side of the brain.
First of all it was truly fun. Having a first showing is a great chance to invite all friends and just enjoy. I’m really happy about everyone who showed up – even though it was impossible to give everyone the attention they deserved. Then again: Not that I was needed, everyone was busy meeting new people – all is well.
Oh yeah, and I would have been lost without the many friends helping out. Maroesja who made the whole thing possible at all. Maga who organized the awesome food – Sanna, Kaisa and Norma for helping her. Uno for making delicious Japanese cakes. Caroline, Ramon and Vika for taking pictures. Txell, Svetlana and Tobias for being handymens (if it wasn’t for them I would still be working). And Maryse for the professional marketing advice… plus many others I bothered for guidance
There is a lot to be learned about your own art at such an event. You see your images in a new light. Adding frames makes an immense difference. Some pictures that look average when lying in a huge pile at home, turn out into swans when getting a real frame with lots of space.
Here are some pictures showing the setup.
Thomas presents... the main wall with the oil colors. I'm not posing!
Wall two with watercolors and drawings.
And Wall 3 with digital art and inks
Seeing the reaction of visitors is priceless. You can learn what they gravitate to – what they like and don’t like.
Surprising to me: My little sketches that I do in 5 minutes found a lot of fans. I do love them myself but I thought they are too personal for others to relate. I have a story about each image, but the viewer does not know them. Still, lots of good feedback.
The sketchbook pages...
...were hanging from the ceiling...
in the center of the room.
The oil paintings were the center and did also get a lot of reactions. Viewers read a lot into images – it was surprising how strong you can affect people sometimes. The images and drawings that mean much to me did also get most reactions interestingly. Sometimes though the opposite of what I felt. The intensity comes through, the intention not always. And every now and then viewers see things I just didn’t realize. Painting happens to me sometimes like a trance, and I have to discover the image myself.
There was also some straight forward critique to images. Something very hard to find, and worth every effort.
Some long time artists gave me input on the pricing – very helpful, since I am clueless about that. I will adjust
What I take from all that: I am moving in the right direction. But there is a looooong way to go.
Painting more friends will be one way to get honest expression in my work. And I want to combine the looseness and depth of my sketches with the quality of the oils. This is my task and I hope I can find the time and money to go for that.
I sold some art, and I got some new opportunities through this. But if it really worked out I will judge when it is over – the gallery is still open every Friday and Saturday. Then I will also write the second self-review.
Here are more photos – thank you all for the great time.
The first people just came when I put up the last image.
The critics! They'll find any mistake!
The food worked out nice...
...and there it goes.
I'm happy about the Japanese sweets. The wrapping was designed by Uno...
...with the idea that I draw patterns on top of the stamp design.
Now I can finally make the official announcement for my first full single artist exhibition. I’m very excited, still lots to prepare. Please join me for the opening – everyone is welcome. Spread the message if you know people who will enjoy this. The more the more fun it will be
I will write some more updates. On the side you see the flyer. I will print this one shortly and spread it in Amsterdam.
Below are the details. Any questions or ideas about this? Let me know.
Opening:
Sunday 14th of March – starting at 16:00.
Everyone is welcome – there will be drinks and snacks!
Exhibition Times:
Friday 12th of March to 7th of April 2010.
Open every Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 17:00 o’clock.
As promised yesterday – and with a nod to Jacob Maris.
Was really cold but worth the pain. Lets hope the snow stays longer (or new fluff joins in), so that I can make at least one more.
Jacob Henricus Maris (1837 – 1899) is a Dutch artist I found in a gallery in Assen (little town in Holland).
This particular image I find amazing. The day I discovered it, I’ve put it on my desktop. After that I went to sleep – and I dreamed I am there. I was in a world painted in this style – I was walking around analyzing how the light behaves. Very inspiring dream.
I’m sure it will show in my works – actually I’ll post one probably tomorrow. In any way it got me really motivated to paint outside.
Town - by Jacob Maris (1837-1899)
The sky nearly seems to glow out of that picture, wouldn’t you say? I think its his impressive use of values (a topic I think a lot about recently, I had neglected it way too long).
For one it works because he made the contrast strong – he resisted the normal feeling to make the city bright and detailed as it looks to your eye when looking straight at it. Interestingly though, he also did not make it very dark, but uses a very narrow value spectrum – that is the important trick. He only saved those darkest darks for the figure, which gives the image a focus and keeps it warm and bright.
I’m surprised this artist is not more widely known. Anyways – here are some more – enjoy and start dreaming!
Bomschuit op het Scheveningse strand - by Jacob Maris (1837-1899)
Stenen Molen - by Jacob Maris (1837-1899)
Woman Oil (not the actual title) - by Jacob Maris (1837-1899)
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