Scenes of a movie that never has been shot

Last week I visited the exhibition of Helmut Newton in Le Grand Palais in Paris.

Helmut Newton is a great photographer, and I admire his work and style over the years.

However, the exhibition was a bit of a disappointment to me... until the moment that we finally could enter the small video room.
The documentary, filmed by his wife June, made the difference. In my point of view, one had better FIRST shown the documentary, and next lead the visitors to the photos.
It's very interesting to see and hear what drives him, how he watches and observes, and what kind of person he seems to be. It makes that you can look at his photos from a different point of view.
 
Le Grand Palais itself is a beautiful site for photographers, and I couldn't resist to capture (simply with my iPhone) what I saw myself... I saw scenes of a movie that has been never shot.
Nothing in comparison with Newton of course, but nevertheless... I like them.
(more pictures of Paris, check here)

Body Talk - inner happiness

Yesterday I finished my new piece. The working title was changed into: Body Talk - inner happiness. It is about how people can shine, just because of what the feel/sense/experience. Love always shows!

A body never lies. It always tells the truth about your well being... or not. We should listen to our bodies, and listen to our feelings. They are related.
Last year I read a book: The Healing Power of Ilness by Thorwald Dethlefsen and Rudiger Dahlke (doctor and psychotherapist). The title in dutch is: De zin van ziekzijn - In german it is: Krankheit als Weg. It tells all about the relation between body and soul, and the influence of your characteristics and your soul on your body. I highly recommend this book. Anyway, since I read it, it helped me, and also several of my friends and family, as well. You don't have to be ill to read it... better read it, so you will not become ill!

BACK on TRACK!

Picture 1: In the first stages.
Picture 2: detail - in the finishing stages.

After being occupied with a lot of personal business for about 2 months, I finally started painting again a few weeks ago.
I really had missed to paint / to create / to disappear into paint / to astonish myself.
Because that is what I do. With every new painting I discover new 'things' which I want to explore further, and which make it a little bit different.
That is how I keep on evolving.
I am in the final stages now of a new 'Girls in Paint'. I think it will take me one or two more days to finish it. As always, the details make the finishing touch.
I currently work in the back room of ARTISHOX Art Gallery in Hasselt, Belgium. People who visit the gallery, can see me painting.
In the first stages of the painting, I only work when the door is closed. I don't want anyone to disturb me. I cannot make a composition with someone watching over my shoulder. It makes me extremely nervous.
Also, I need to step out of reality, into the painting. But then, when the composition has rised, it is no problem anymore to paint with audience... uptil a certain level I have to say! ;)

Although the painting rises under my eyes and hands, I am still curious for the final result. I already fell in love with it (in my opinion this is necessary, to be able to finish a painting properly). Happy me again!