A day at the Museum

Since the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, in April 2013, opened its doors again (after being closed due to restoration during 10 years!!!!!!) I wanted to visit it again.. But always there was a reason I could not go. No more excuses now, I just HAD to go!

So on an ordinary Thursday in January I went to the Rijksmuseum. I thought it would not be very crowded. Misconception... it was loaded! Especially at Rembrandt's 'Nachtwacht'. 



However, it is ABSOLUTELY worthwhile to visit this really beautiful museum!!! 
What a great collection of art!
One of the greatest museums I have visited uptil now.

Such a huge collection, really overwhelming. Tooo much to like. So I stopped taking pictures. However, this statue of wood of one of the Two Japanese Temple Guards (1300-1400) was fantastic:

And seeing 'Het Joodse bruidje' by Rembrandt in real life, was fantastic as well. I love his use of texture.

Only a few pieces of my favorites in between of many many more!

Goooood vibes!

At work in my studio...3 paintings...
 

I had a great day!

1... The sun was shining!
2... A lot of new canvases were delivered (linen on aluminium stretchers!)
3... I finished 1 of the 3 paintings I'm currently working on!
Titled: 'The Heat is On.
4... I had a great encounter with a lovely Chinese lady.
Set me thinking...
5... And I got an invitation to exhibit in Amsterdam in a great venue!!!

Mmmm... not bad at all!
 

The Heat is On, 100x150x4 cm | 39x59x1,5 inch

NO ROMANTICISM!!!! - understandable ignorance

On a regular basis I receive messages from people, asking me if I can give them advice about techniques, because they like my art, and want to achieve the same as I do.
Most of these people paint in their leisure time, and don't realize that I've been working for years, day in - day out, to get where I am now, to maintain that and to keep on growing and stay a few steps ahead of the ones who (try to) copy me.
They don't see the sacrifices I had to bring.

I am not complaining, because I LOVE to paint, and I would do it all over again...
But being an artist is not always as romantic as they think it is.

Also... one has no certainties. 

No regular deposit of salary every month.

They don't see what the economic crisis did to many artists, me included.

Of course, a lot of people can paint, or think they can paint (I will not discuss the quality) and there's a lot of talent in this world.
However, talent alone is not enough, and everything can be copied easily nowadays.

A true artist, develops his/her own style, immediately recognizable for spectators.
One needs vision and has to be prepared to live the life of an artist, which, I can assure you, is not always as romantic as one thinks it is!

So maybe the ones who paint in their spare time, should adjust their expectations, and continue what they do right now. Painting is wonderful and can set your mind free for a while!

Having said all that... for me this is the right path to follow, and it makes me happy.

I would have made 2 for that price!!

Can it get more insane? I guess it can. David Beckham commissioned Damien Hirst a painting for his 2 year old daughter Harper for € 720.000,00....

What a pity for David and Harper... I would have made 2 for that price!

;)