Thursday, December 20, 2012

Winter street scene, The Hague

Oil on canvas, 20" x 16"
painted on location, re worked in studio Wed 19 Dec 2012
$ 425

A mother pulling a Christmas tree on a sleigh with her child telling her something. Three childern, one of which is sitting on a sleigh, being drawn by the eldest. A chap on his bicycle stopping to greet a friend. The whole city is covered in white, childern are loving it. The roads are a mess, and people are being encouraged to take public transportation. It was a lovely brisk sunny day yesterday, thus despite the freezing temperature, I took it upon myself to capture this unique situation, here in my neighbourhood. The theme of this work is snow, thus that is the point of interest I wanted to bring across. Therefore I purposely did not pay attention to the detail of the architecture of the houses. Rather choosing to highlight the effect of the freshly frozen snow on the objects at hand.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Cala Figuera, Mallorca, Spain




oil on wood, 4 x 6 inches
painted on location - 21 Sept 2012
SOLD 

This small work shows a fishing boat getting some repair done on the propeller. Posting two small works made while on a short visit to family/friends on the island Majorca, Spain. 
The light there was so strong and powerful, it had a great influence on these small oil sketches.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Autumn Gold #1- 2012



oil on canvas, 40 x 30 cm
painted on location - Hemmensebos (Zetten), Sun 11 Nov 2012
SOLD

The dogs name is Amy, together with Wilma and Selena they are taking a brisk stroll in a small forest which is in these days a magnificent array of warm hues, really a feast for the eyes, together with sunlight, what a combination! I couldn't pass this moment by,..... luckily I had my gear with me and thus this work was created. Of course they didn't have to pose the whole 45 minutes that it took to make this painting. They came on at the end of their walk, when the painting was at its final stage.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Model in a tender pose

Pastel and charcoal on 100g grainy sketch paper
6" x 12"   -  30 x 23cm
made in studio  -  Wed 7 Jan  2012

$ 45.00



Simple yet to the point! Sometimes more is less, and you don't have to overstate things when the balance and composition work well from the start.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Market Scene with Mother and Child

  oil on canvas, 70 x 90cm
painted on location, Oct. 2006 and  Sat 20 Oct 2012

  $900

Hello Dear Friends and followers of my postings. Here you have a rather intimate scene of what one can expect whilst strolling down a busy market in a picturesque village here in The Lowlands. This is the centre of Bergen, NH, a cosmopolitan village just west of Alkmaar, in the North of Holland.  If you noticed the dates this painting was started 6 years ago, and has been shelved in my studio as I was not content with the composition. Determined to complete it during the Kunst10Daagse, I took it with me and worked on it a few days ago. The mother and child in the foreground are actually my daughter, Selena and my girlfriend Wilma. They were so kind to pose for me, long enough so as I could complete this painting. The theme repeats itself, just to the left with again, a representation of a child with her Mother. You know they say a painting is worth a 1000 words, and for me this image proves just that. Something about the goodness in Life comes through. We are all going through troubling times, all one heres about these days is finacial crisis. In this painting Nature, Love, Kindness and Abundance are being celebrated. Fruits, vegetables, cheese and eggs a gift of Nature to sustain Life for us. The leafs are showing off there beauty before the trees that they dress are going in for a much deserved Winters rest. What is being communicated between the Mother and Child is not certain, but you can surely guess that it has something to do with  Love an Kindness.  So while the Media is blasting you with negativety, remember there are those of Us, (and we are many), that still take the time to show that Life is Good and Love rules above all!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Studio Model Session #2 - 2012

Pastel and charcoal on 100g grainy sketch paper
12" x  6"  -  30 x 23cm
made in studio  -  Wed 17 Oct, 2012

$ 65.00

Today worked in my studio, with a fine group of colleagues. The artist at the easel is actually being reflected by a large mirror positioned behind the sofa. This  gives the illusion of depth, making the composition interesting.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Opa picking Dahlia's, near Zundert


oil on canvas board, 7 x 9.5 inches
Thurs 30 August 2012
$ 275

Not really my Grandfather, just a title to a painting! Again, a work made sometime ago now, however better to post it rather than leaving it on the shelf, as they say! Was active in Zundert, at the end of August for a few days, making  paintings of the Dahlia flower fields with the pickers. They were getting the flowers ready to pin on the waggons  that would be shown on the parade of the famous Bloemencorso, held annually at the end of August.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Begonia's in full bloom #4


oil on canvas,9.5" x 12"
painted on location in Apeldoorn  -  Sun 12 August 2012
SOLD

I think it is the lovely warm colors of these flowers that inspired me to make this series!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Begonia's in full bloom, #3


oil on canvas,9.5" x 12"
painted on location in Apeldoorn  -  Sun 12 August 2012



I think it is he lovely warm colors of these flowers that inspired me to make this series!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Begonia's in full bloom #2

oil on canvas, 9.5" x 12"
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.  

Friday, September 14, 2012

Begonia's in full bloom #1


oil on canvas, 9.5" x 12"
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.  

Monday, September 10, 2012

Coasting along the North Sea

Coasting along The North Sea
oil on 5 wooden panels, 6" x  20"
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 panoramic 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.


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Summer fun on the beach, Wassenaarseslag


oil on canvas
8" x  19.5"
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.  

Monday, August 27, 2012

Childrn playing on tthe beach, Katwijk

oil on canvas board
7 x 8 inches
painted on location  -  Tues 3 july 2012
SOLD

Just a quick oil sketch, but enough to capture the situation at hand.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Seascape Katwijk

At the waters edge,
oil on canvas, 5" x 7"
painted on location  -  Tues 3 July 2012,
SOLD

Painted at the same time as the posting made, just before my last posting. It has the same quaint feeling and   goes well  together as a sit actually.


Thursday, August 9, 2012

The Art Saleswoman, Montemarte (Dordrecht)

oil on canvas
9.5" x  12"
painted on location - Sun 5 Aug 2012  -  $ 350

Her name is Wilma and she can sell my paintings far better than I can! We were invited to take part in the Montemarte, 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.


Monday, August 6, 2012

Sisters approaching the calm Sea

                                                                                                          
 oil on canvas
 7" x  5"
painted on location  -  Tues 2nd July 2012  -  SOLD
The sea was calm, the sisters consolideating each other, the waters cleansing the pain. 
   

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Log Cabin - Up North




 View of my cabin, "Up North"
  oil on cedar wood, 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.


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

View of the North Sea Regatta


oil on canvas
20" x 16" 
painted on location - Sunday 12 June 2011

SOLD

The view point is beach entrance(strandslag) number 10, Westduinpark, The Hague. The horizon line was literally dotted with hundreds of sailboats of all sizes. Must have been a superb day to sail, as the wind was quite strong. Fascinating color displays on the surface of the water, as the clouds kept blocking the suns light, thus creating all sorts of longated patterns on the 'Sea of Green'. Approximately 20 mintes after I finished this painting, the sky in view, was completely overcast with a thich layer of clouds causing the waters surface to tranform into a dull Benelux grey. It is hard to see on this digital representation of the oil painting, but I have indicated these clouds coming in, as one can see by the rough brush work on the top left of the canvas.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Father and Son at Sea





oil on canvas, 9.5" x 12"
painted on location - tues 19 june 2012
SOLD


Along with the pet dog, this father is having some quality time with his son. Summer is here and time to chill out at the beach.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

The 3 mast gaff schooner, 'Minerva'






oil on linnen
2" x 23.5"
painted on location -   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.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

The Hobby Tiger #2, South Beach, Holland


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

Same view as previous posting, only different format.

Monday, June 11, 2012

The Hobby Tiger, South Beach, Holland


De  Hobby Tiger, HKZV, Zuiderstrand, DH #1
oil on canvas
7" x  5"  
painted on location  -  Thurs  7 June 2012
SOLD

Just an oil sketch, but beleive me, not easy to make. 

Monday, June 4, 2012

Beach Scene, Noordwijk, Holland


Beach scene with Noordwijk Sailing Clubhouse
oil on 3 wood panels,
6" x  12"
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, this small format oil gives one a fairly good representation of  typical cloudy Dutch skies. Low horizon line, bringing the viewer right up close to the scene painted.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Fun times on the beach in Holland

Noordwijk Aan Zee
oil on canvas, 8" x 20" 
painted on location - Sat 26 May 2012

SOLD

Summer is in the air, spent last holiday at Noordwijk Aan Zee, were I was guest painter at the Opera Aan Zee 2012 Festival. 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.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Model in Thought


Model in thought
pencil, pastel on 280 grm sketching paper
8" x  5.5"    -    21.5 x 14.5 cm
sketched in studio, 5 minutes - 8 Sept 2006

$ 50

The model is nude, and for reasons of beauty and grace, usually a female. Over the years I have amassed a rather large amount of such sketches. Thus should you ever be so inclined to include in your art collection works of this genere, look no further., Just get in touch.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Reflections of memories gone by


Artist and model #2
pastel/charcoal on warm hue manila paper
25.5" x 20"    -   (65 x 50cm)
made in studio from live models
(signed and dated)

$ 325

In the time period that this work was made I was primarily busy with making works of the nude model and the artist being reflected in the mirror, which I had strategically positioned behind the models sofa. Artist at the easel is Jane Walker, who at the time shared my studio.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Reflections of love in the studio



Artist and model #1
pastel on paper
20" x 25.5"
made in my studio - mon. 12 nov 2007
SOLD

Seems like this subject has become my latest series. The weather being what it is, there isn't much inspiration to go outdoor painting. With a great model, such as the one represented in this delicate pastel drawing, who wouldn't choose to work at the easel, in the comfort of a warm, well let studio. In the forground lies the model, in a lovely flowing gesture. Directly behind her, the composition is made up of mainly reflected scenery. The sofa, parts of the model, windows, and the artist at the easel, all taking place in the same space as you, the viewer are made to occupy, whilst visually taking in this quaint scene.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Alamos,Sonora, Mexico Street Scene 2

oilo on canvas mounted on board
4" x  6"
painted on location/signed/dated on back

$ 75

Same village as previous posting, spent of few days there, was really taken by the layback relaxed lifestyle in this town that then seemed to be locked in its own time frame. Saw lot of people still on horse back, and two bars had swinging wooden doors just like in western movies!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Street scene, Alamos,Sonora, Mexico

7.5"  x  11.5" -  (20 x 29cm)
oil on canvas mounted on board
made on location
dated/signed on back

$125

An earlier work from my travels through Mexico in the spring of 1995. Fascinated by the lay back country and western feel to this village, I made a couple of oil painting studies. The hanging wires and initial compositional drawing were actually sketched in with chacoal, which you can still see under and above the oil paint.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Beach Cafe, Wijk Aan Zee, North Holland

Strandpaviljoen De KUSt, with evening light
oil on wooden panel
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.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Beach scene from Holland

Beach houses at Wijk Aan Zee
oil on wooden panel
4" x  6"  -  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 beleive in taking pictures, then working fom them. You will most likely loose the essence of the subject at hand. And besides, we are painters after all is said and done, are we not?


Monday, May 7, 2012

Olive trees, Mallorca, Spain



Farm near ValdeMossa
oil on canvas board
4" x 6" -  10 x 15 cm  private collection-Santanyi, Mallorca

I visited this lovely island some years ago, made a series of small format oils. This one still in my position.
Inspired by the colors of both nature and buildings for this work.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Big Band Jazz in De Fuut, South Beach, DH


oil on canvas
9.5" x 12"  -    24 x 30cm
painted on location - Sunday 29 Apirl 2012

$ 275

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.  

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Studio Model Session #1 -2012

Pastel and charcoal on 100g grainy sketch paper
12" x  6"  -  30 x 23cm
made in studio  -  Wed 2 May 2012

SOLD

Today in the studio worked with two fine models, along with a group of artist's from Rotterdam. Here you have a glimpse into my studio, nice spacious room with  good natural light. We were all busy drawing/painting the models. I opted to show the models in the space they occupy.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Pathway to Fun and Adventure, #1-2012




South Beach, The Hague, Entrance #10 
oil on canvas
23.5" x 12"  -   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     



                   detail of painting 

Friday, April 27, 2012

Canal scene, Dordrecht, Holland

Canal scene with evening light,
oil on canvas
9.5" x  12"  -   24 x 30 cm

$175

Supposedly the oldest city in Holland, Dordrecht has a charm of its own, characterized by the many canals and Historic buildings. Here the evening sunlight casting warm tones on the rooftop and upper facades of the houses.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Savoury Cumulus clouds, Texel, Holland


Cloudy beach scene, Texel, NL
oil on canvas
6" x 12"    -    15 x 30 cm
painted on location, - Sat 10 April 2010

no longer exists, painted over

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.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Catamaran Sailclub #1, The Hague, Netherlands

oil on canvas
12" x 16"  -   30 x 40cm
painted on location - june 2011, reworked in my studio April 23rd 2012

SOLD

You will be seeing more paintings from this clubhouse as it is one of my favorite subjects to paint and lucky enough it is located 3 miles from where I live.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Windy Seascape study #5/ sky opening up

oil on canvas board,
5" x 7"  -  (12 x 18cm)
painted on location  -  Monday  16 April 2012 SOLD

The biggest format of this series, And featuring the most blue sky from them all, thus the title. Was really very fine to make this series, and will do it more often.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Windy Seascape study #4/ rainy conditions

oil on wooden panel
4" x  6"   -  (10 x 15cm)
painted on location  -  Monday  16 April 2012 SOLD

A very typical Dutch sky, this time of year. The rain was not that threatening as it would just drift by now and then. Lasting sometimes only half a minute or even less. Most painters find it difficult to paint clouds. Fact is they are shifting about and reshaping themselves constantly, thus I would recommend they tackle the situation on a small format, work quickly with one brush and have the colors on your palette ready.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Windy Seascape #3, effects of light



oil on wooden panel
4" x 6" -  (10 x 15 cm)
painted on location  -  Mon 16 April 2012  SOLD

Although this is titled as #3, in fact they all should have the same number as they were made simultaneously!  There are few imperfections,..... for example the horizon line is always straighter than the way it has been painted. But then again these are studies, and thus retain the quality of a study. I was aiming at getting the light situation correct, and I can say that, that has been accomplished. If I would go back into the painting, to make corrections, it would loose its quality of freshness. I would risk making this very lively situation appear flat and stale.  And remember a few times I had to keep my hand on the easel, to prevent it from getting airborne!

Windy Seascape study #2/crashing waves

oil on masonite
4.5" x 5.5" - (11 x 14 cm)
painted on location - Mon, 16 April 2012  SOLD

Simular to yesterdays posting, however on close observation you can see many differences. Composition the same, but here you have adition 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 simutaneously on more than one canvas.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Windy Seascape with 3 Seagulls


oil on masonite
4.5" x 5.5" - (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.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Old Timer Carrusel, In motion


Scene at The Home Made Market, The Hague
oil on wood panel
4" x 6" - (10 x 15 cm)
painted on location - Sun 1 April 2012

$ 125

Those kids on that carrrusel are having a ball! A lovely object to paint, however as it was almost always spinning I had to work quick and loose. Smack in the middle you see two children seated on a swinging stool, a boy and a girl, blue and pink! What is not so obvious, and I will point it out to you, is that black and white pony situated on the top of the carrusel! Not much detail, but one gets the feel for it.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Market Scene, The Hague, Holland


oil on masonite
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.