Old Fashion Carnival by day

oil on canvas, 30 x 90cm
painted on location - Sun  30 Dec 2012 -(In studio Tues 8 Jan 2013)
SOLD

It is winter, the days are short, it is just after opening at the Carnival, the time is 2.15 in the afternoon.   The crowds have yet to arrive, however il pittore takes advantage of the still dry weather conditions, and makes a go of this fascinating scenery.  The assistant to the Anatomy Lesson Professor watches on to the innocence of to little girls sharing some candy floss. Both the century old merry-g0-rounds are in motion. Parents are enjoying themselves, but really the kids are having the time of their lives, and that my friends is what it is all about!  Here below, two close ups, for your viewing pleasure.

 the anatomy lesson pavilion, with two girls eating candy floss, while Grandpa looks on....

the  toddlers, sweet merry-go-round, with a little girl about to jump off!   

Old fashioned carnival by night

oil on canvas, 30 x 90cm
painted on location - Fri/Sat  28/29 Dec 2012
SOLD

Here you have a glimpse at the old fashioned carnival by evening light. On the left, brilliantly coloured toddlers merry-go-round, moving to the center, the grown up kids version, circling in action,... next to that, the anatomy lesson pavilion. A fire burning in a metal barrel, (one of many), keeps the parents warmed up.

Old fashion Carnival, The Hague,Holland

oil on canvas board, 7 x 9.5inches
(18 x 24cm)
painted on location - Sunday 30 Dec 2012
SOLD

Let me take you back in time. Actually let Joris Hentenaar and his crew take you back in time! This old fashioned carnival could have been the stage for a Fellini film, taking place in a small village somewhere in Northern Europe! That was the intention of the organisers of this event, and believe you me, they have succeeded, as you will bear witness in this and my next 2 postings. Three carnival characters are ready to greet you as you step into this make believe setting were you will meet the most bizarre characters.  Flame blowers, jugglers, a woman in a fish bowl, a man who breathes through his eyes, just to name a few.  Of course the children are dazzled and taking it all in, but the century old merry-go-rounds are their favoured attractions.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Markt Square, Den Boshh

s-Hertogenbosh, Historical Center
oil on canvas
12" x 16" - 30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Tues 5 April 2011

$ 285

This is the 2nd paintng made in this lovely historically important city. Here you have a representation of one of the few original buildings in its mediaeval glory. The parasols shown here are the same ones from the previous posting, only seen from a different view point. Not a common style of painting for me, but I feel it works well for cityscapes. Incidently, if you are visiting this city someday, and you need directions, that blue flag is a landmark for the tourist information office.

The White Boat, Delft, Holland

Pastel/ink on colored paper
9" x 13.5" - 24 x 35 cm
made on location, May 2004

$ 75

This is the first work I made of this subject. I later painted two oils of if it. Both are in now private collections. Soft pastel colors create a tender mood for this scene, set in one of the worlds Heritage cities, Delft Holland. A few hundred years ago, Johannes Vermeer painted a view of the harbour and city, about 20 meters to the left of were I set up to make this pastel. His view was of a busy harbour that once existed in this area. That painting is now housed in the Mauristhuis, Royal Picture Gallery Collection, The Hague.

View of The North Sea from on high

Westduinpark, The Hague
oil on canvas
9.5 x 12 inches / 18 x 24 cm
painted on location - Friday 15 October 2010

$ 175

Here I am back at a familiar location. Feeling the need for some peace and to get my head cleared up from what can be defined as ones lifes struggles. I decided to head for this secluded location in Westduinpark, with this spectacular view of the North Sea. Despite the fact that it was not a very suitable day for outdoor painting, (as rain clouds drifted over me on 3 occasions), I nevertheless managed to knock off this small format earthly colored seascape. The light reflecting on the surface of the water was of such an intense light pale green hue, it seemed to be lit up from the bottom of the sea! On the horizon, one can distinguish what gives this country its extreme wealthy finicial position. That tiny dark spot on the horizon is an oil platform. To the right, a tanker, most likely waiting for the price of the oil barrel to increase, thus securing a gaining of millions!

A detail for your viewing pleasure.

Magic of Delft

oil on canvas
9.5" x 12" - 24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Sat 24 Sept 2011

$ 175

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.

View of Cathedral tower, Delft, Holland

Autumn day Oosteinde, Delft
oil on canvas
16" x 12" - (40 x 30 cm
painted on location - Thursday 14 October 2010

$ 125

One of my favorite canal scenes in Delft. This time with an accent of autumn colors, makes this view a delight to paint. All those yellow/greenish hues work well with the warm colors of the houses and wall of the canal. Not too obvious is that mother and child walking in front of that pink house on the left, thus the detail below.

Vintage Drawbridge, Weesp, Holland

Vintage draw bridge, Weesp
oil on canvas
20" x 27.5" - (50 x 70cm)
painted on location _ Sat 11 Sept 2010 SOLD


In 1888, 122 years ago, the most well known Dutch person ever to walk this earth, Vincent Van Gogh, made at least 3 oil paintings of , The Langlois Bridge, in Arles, France.. Similar in design to the bridge I painted, but certainly less flashy. Let's face it ladies and gentlemen, when it comes to building bridges, you simply cannot beat the Dutch! I'm positive the Dutch Master was filled with nostalgia upon seeing that bridge, in the sunny light of the Midi. Me I found this draw bridge, here in this otherwise boring village, nestled just under Amsterdam, the most interesting subject to paint, on a one day plein-air painters festival. What struck me the most was the sunlight bouncing off the structure, and the situation of the boats anchored near the bridge.

Market Scene, Grote Markt , Nijmgen

Archway to St. Stevens Church
oil on wood panel
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.

Winter canal scene, Amsterdam #6

Small version of Arched bridge, Amsterdam
oil on wood panel
4" x 6" - 10 x 15 cm
painted on location - Tues 31 Jan 2012

SOLD


Not as many details as the previous posting, same location however, Oudezijds Voorburgwal, De Wallen, Center Amsterdam.

Winter canal scene, Amsterdam #5

Arched bridge, Oudezijds Voorburgwal
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Tues 24 Jan 2012

$495

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 is 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/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 this painting.

St. Servatius Bridge, Maastricht, Holland

oil on canvas,
12" x 27.5" - 30 x 70 cm
painted on location,

$ 385


Sometime ago, I found myself, along with my American artist friend, Andy Wolf, getting acquainted with the many squares and endless cobbled streets of this most picturesque city of The Netherlands, Maastricht. This famous landmark bridge, with a view of that magnificent cathedral and the surrounding hills, which gently embrace this colorful valley, it was not difficult for me to pick this scene as the first subject painted at this location.

Winter canal scene, Amsterdam #4

Impressionist view of canal in Amsterdam
oil on wood panel
4" x 6" - 10 x 15cm
painted on location - Tues 17 Jan 2012

Same view as previous posting, only style of painting much loser, and well, quite impressionistic, if you ask me.

Winter canal scene, Amsterdam #3

View of Montelbaans tower
oil on canvas board
7" x 9.5" - 18 x 24 cm
painted on location - tues 17 Jan 2012
SOLD

Same image as previous posting, only this time, I re-worked the painting in my studio today. I decided to make it into a true winters scene by adding snow and ice on the waters surface!