Last days of Solo Show

Party - life is what you make it - diptych, 140x30 cm

Next Friday, Saturday AND Sunday are the last days of my solo exhibition at ARTISHOX Art Gallery (July 29, 30 AND 31!)
Of course afterwards there's still work in stock and available through the gallery.
So if you want to seize the opportunity to see some of my latest paintings for real, this is your chance.
Friday and Saturday from 12-18.00 hours, Sunday 13-17.00 hours, Witte Nonnenstraat 18, Hasselt - Belgium http://www.artishox.com

WAKE UP!!! WAAAAAAAAAKKKKE UPPPPPP!!!!

photo courtesy Walker Pickering

No, I'm not a US resident. So, hey, maybe I should just shut up.
But since the world has become so small through internet and social media, we are all related to eachother, somewhere or somehow.
Moreover, it is said that someone from outside who's familiar with the facts, can see the state of affairs more objectivly.


What happens in the USA affects the world.
Furthermore their happen to live a bunch of people in the USA I really love.
That is why I have to write that I'm just dumbfounded about the fact that there is so much counteraction against Barack Obama. Of course Obama is not perfect, he ISN'T a god... but he does his utmost!!! In my opinion Barack Obama is a president to be very proud of. He knows what integrity means and sets out to save the country from ruination after Bush's devastating leadership.
Bush left something that looks suspiciously like a garbage dump, and now Obama and his administration have the thankless task to clean up the trash in only 4 years.
This almost impossible task has become even more impossible, because of the constant counteractions by the republicans who's only goal seems to be 'power'.
Not the welfare of ALL their residents is the most important issue on their agenda, but the next presidential elections.
But hello.... HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
What about COOPERATION to save the USA??
Do I have to spell it out?
OH MY GOD....
Work together people, and save your country.
Use the money meant for the presidential campaigns for your country.

I know it's not enough, but it will have a better destination.
Rebuild the US... so you can start living the REAL American Dream!
After reaching that goal, you can start quarreling again about who will deliver the new president.
Anyway, the competition will be much more righteous by then.

More photos of Walker Pickering: http://walkerpickering.com/

Feeling privileged...

Sometimes I feel guilty for feeling happy, while at the same time there's so much misery on our planet.
Tsunamis and earthquakes, civil wars, religious wars, people starving in Africa, idiots shooting dozens of innocent young people in Norway...
The blindness of the people for the pollution of our planet, overfishing of our seas, the consequences of the meat industry, etc....
People trapped in their personal situations/relations/problems, often without the perspective to be able to change a thing...
I tell myself that I'm just a tiny player in the whole and there's not much I can do to change all this. I take my responsibilities, help where I can, and there is not much more which I can do.
I tell myself that 100 years ago it would have taken days/weeks before news from other countries/parts of the world would have arrived, and that it does not help to carry the weight of the world.

I tell myself that it's better to focus on the positive sides of life, than the negative, without ignoring them.
So I try not to get influenced too much by the news of the world, to seize the day, to enjoy and be thankful.
But hey... isn't life extremely bizarre? Beautiful and devastating at the same time...

There's too much ignorance in this world and I really don't know if this will ever change...
It should be possible to invent an improved version of life...
I think that's what still drives us artists

I can plunge into my paint, dream away in creation and in the results. I therefore feel privileged.

In front of 'A true bottle redhead' from the 'Girls in Paint' series.

More Girls in Paint.

Detail of new Girl in Paint...

There will arise more paintings in the Dynamic Abstracts-series, but right now I'm just too excited and full of ideas concerning the Girls in Paint.
There are 4 new ones on my website, and right now I'm making another one... Well not right now, because I have to wait for the third layer to dry, before I can continue.
Impatiently waiting, which is good!
There are some great events waiting for me in the Fall, so now's the time to flourish.

Autumn in the Summer

Details of 'Don't touch without gloves' of the Girls in Paint - series.

Last April it was Summer in the Spring. Lovely surprise, and I enjoyed it as much as I could. Unfortunately now it's Autumn in the Summer. It's raining cats and dogs overhere, while in Somalia there has never been so much drought as right now. Life's a bitch. My thoughts are with the victims of this disaster.
Although I miss the sun, the rain does not bring me in a bad mood. All I want is to paint... (I'm dying of excitement)  and when it's too hot I don't have the energy.
I've made several new paintings, amongst which 4 new Girls in Paint. This time only full colour.
Tomorrow I will start a new larger one, also a Girl in Paint.
I just love my job so much!!!

Fresh New Website!

A new summer, a new look! (it doesn't always have to start in the spring).
According to my wishes my website has been completely redesigned by Artishox Media.
I think it's very important to have a clear site which is easy to handle for the viewer.
Since I don't want to make a catalogue of my website, one can only find a small selection of recent work on it.
It's just to give you an impression. In my opinion art should be experienced in real life, so one can immerse in it.
So if you like what you see, you can visit one of the galleries I work with permanently (CONTACT-button), to meet with the paintings for real.
Of course you can also contact me directly if you want more information.
Check it out http://www.estherbarend.eu

The launch of CALVET - the documentary

http://artblahblah.com/?p=1745 <-Here you can read the beautiful review on the launch of the documentary by Dominic Allan about the life of my fellow artist Jean Marc Calvet. Soundtrack made by Edith Progue (breathtakingly, goose bumps giving). The review is written by Marina Hadley. She is one of the 2 gallery directors of the gallery I work with in New York City, Monkdogz Urban Art. 

I'm getting really impatient now.... I just have to see the movie. The trailer is not enough!... If you do want to know more about it, you can check this link as well: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/video/2011/jun/10/sheffield-doc-fest-jean-marc-calvet?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3486


Yesterday and today on Edinburgh International Film Festival!

Article on KUNSTNIEUWS.NL

Nice article about my solo exhibition on www.kunstnieuws.nl

Sorry, it's only in dutch.

On Kunstnieuws.nl you can not only find notifications of exhibitions in The Netherlands and Belgium, but also reviews on art fairs, exhibitions in musea and galleries.

Burden and blessing at once

Detail of 'When the lady smiles'
 
I've been extremely productive during the last weeks. While creating one painting, the idea for the next one popped up and I could not wait to start it.
It's a good thing to live with my love, kids and dog. I would forget to eat and would only stop if I'm ready to drop with sleep, when I would be alone. I can't stop painting. It's like I'm infected with a dominant virus which makes me want to paint more and more.
And now I'm really tired because I did not listen to my body. It says 'take a rest'. Okay, I will....in a few days :). The only reason that I'm writing this blogpost right now is that I have to wait for the paint to dry, before I can continue.
Anyway... I'm happy with my production bombardment and the fact that I'm never without ideas, which is a burden and a blessing at the same time.
It makes me restless and I always have to find the balance. But hey... you will not hear me complain!
Next Friday, June 3, my solo show at ARTISHOX Art Gallery in Hasselt - Belgium, will get started. It displays the first paintings in the new series: 'Girls in Paint' and my latest abstract works. They make a good combination I think.
I'll be present on Saturday, June 4 (11.00 - 18.00 hours) and you are very welcome. The exhibition lasts until July 30. For more info and opening hours check www.artishox.com

Girls in Paint

'Let every bird sing its own song'  24x30 cm/9x12 inch

I've started a new series, called 'Girls in Paint'.
Since a long time I wanted to combine my figurative work with my abstract style. I never found the right mode. Or rather I was never satisfied with the result.
In the past few months an idea formed in my head and last week I felt it was time to accomplish it. The painting above is a small one. Another, large one, can be viewed on my Facebook-page . I'm busy with the next one and there's more to come!

Buy a small piece of art and help the survivors of the disaster in Japan!

MONKDOGZ URBAN ART CREATIVE TEAM

Please click on the image above this text, join, register and bid on a piece of art you really like. If the link does not work, http://www.monkdogz.com/artfund/artworks/index.html

These are all small works of art, donated by artists from all over the world, in an attempt to help the survivors of the disaster in Japan. It's a silent auction, so there will be no names of artists mentioned below the images. But I'm sure you will recognize several by their style. You can bid on my work, or someone else's, I don't care, but please help!

Are you an artist yourself? You can join the club. Contact Monkdogz Art Fund.

ART TRIP to New York City

New York is my favorite city in the world! Every time I'm home, I want to go back!
It was lovely to meet again the directors of Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery, Marina Hadley and Bob Hogge at their new location on 52nd street. We always have so much to talk about... time passes way to quickly.
We almost bumped into Obama on Ground Zero, visited several art sites, galleries and the Affordable Art Fair New York.... and we enjoyed the beautiful weather (sunny and perfect for a city trip).
Now back home, trying to get back to earth and digest it all. More pictures on my Facebook-page

ART AUCTION FOR JAPAN

Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery, who represents my work in New York City, has organized an art auction for the victims of the disaster in Japan. Of course, just like the auction they organized for Haiti, I'm in.

Check



http://www.monkdogz.com/artfund/index.htm

It's not on the website yet, but it will be soon. It's a silent auction (no names of artists)....
I'll post a picture of my painting on my blog later on!

New wearables...

Since I did the first 'Portable-Art' project in 2009, I wanted to try to create a belt as well. I always have so many ideas... I can't realize them all. Always have to choose (feel very privileged!). Finally I couldn't stop myself from doing it and this is the result.

I'm happy with the result.

For more pictures check my Facebook-page

I'm planning to make more of them, also commissioned.

'WHO GETS TO CALL IT ART?'

Who Gets to Call it Art? - Trailer
Tags: Who Gets to Call it Art? - Trailer

This morning, when I was exercising on my elliptical, I saw the documentary 'Who gets to call it art?' made by Peter Rosen, which just happened to be broadcasted on TV.
Really interesting to see how 1 person was of as much influence to the art world as Henry Geldzahler (born in Antwerp - Belgium) has been at that time in New York.
Very interesting to see too, how he was a sort of muse to Andy Warhol.
What an extraordinary time for artists it was!
Exceptional and historical was the fact that the Metropolitan was emptied to be filled only with contemporary art (wow!!!!!!) of Geldzahler's choice.
I wish there was a Henry Geldzahler right now. But then again... only 1 Henry would not be enough. The world has become smaller, the number of people increased enormously and at the same time the number of artists has grown equally. Aside from the copycats and rubbish, there is SO much good art to be discovered. Henry would get crazy! There's just too much to choose from!

Black and White

detailed close ups of 2 new paintings.

Today I finished the two paintings I've been working on in the past weeks.
Another challenge for me, because I wanted to use no color at all this time!
Of course, in the past years I've made paintings with less bright colors, but this time I wanted to go further than that.
The pictures of the complete paintings will be posted on my Facebook page later today!

Reaping the rewards....

2 blurry sneak preview close ups of my new work under construction - check my Facebook page for
the clear pictures -  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Esther-Barend-visual-artist

I've been experimenting last week, and currently I'm reaping the rewards!
Of course I have to wait and see if the new paintings I'm working on right now are going to be like I imagined.
I love to challenge myself, so therefore I have to take into account that it may turn out bad.... I'm curious for the final result!
I'm also experimenting with a new art-bag, and in the meantime several ideas are running through my head... I wish I could just beam them up immediately!!!
I'm driving myself crazy, as usual ;-)

Refreshings!

My website has been refreshed and updated.

New paintings

New projects

New grouping of the buttons

The large painting is currently exhibited at Galerie De Kei, Nuenen, The Netherlands, next to several others!

Spring!!!

Detail of 'Lost in Joyfulness', 130x80 cm

Finally spring is in the air. I can literally feel it in my body and mind.
It feels like I'm crawling out of my cave after a long winter.
I feel the urge to experiment. That means a lot of try outs, not result-oriented.

Sometimes it leads somewhere, sometimes it doesn't.
Experimenting takes a lot of time 'doing'... but also just 'being'.
Perfectly just 'to be' when the sun is shining and the buds on the trees are growing. :)))))))

Opening Exhibition ARTISHOX Art Gallery

Last weekend the opening of ARTISHOX Art Gallery took place.

From now on my art is represented by this very nice gallery in Hasselt - Belgium.
Open Friday and Saturday 12 - 17.30 hours.
Witte Nonnenstraat 18 - Hasselt - Belgium
http://www.artishox.com/artgallery.html

Pictures of SEIZE - Monkdogz International Art Exhibition in New York City - March 3 to 8 - 2011

All pictures made by
fellow artist
Claudia Furlani.
Exept one picture, 
which has been made 
by Sébastien Aurillon
- Monkdogz creative team

WIN THIS PAINTING!

My eternal wall flower

60x60 cm

Come to the opening of ARTISHOX Art Gallery on March 12 or 13, and subscribe (non-committal and free) to the raffle

ARTISHOX Art Gallery - Witte Nonnenstraat 18 - Hasselt - Belgium

www.artishox.com + https://www.facebook.com/artishox?ref=ts

Soon, I can drop my pants upright

The acrylic paint I use is the best! Colorfast, washing machine proof!

More pictures: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Esther-Barend-visual-artist/146660542047392?v=photos#!/album.php?aid=43032&id=146660542047392

New painting - Quantum Entanglement

In 2 weeks ARTISHOX Art Gallery opens its doors in Hasselt - Belgium.

My art will be represented next to art of Alexandra Drenth, Lex Tintel, Karin van de Walle, Raf Veulemans, Christian Piron and Ben Wouters.

Today I finished a painting for the opening show:
Quantum Entanglement, 120x120 cm.

I made the composition for this painting accompanied by the powerful music of the Prodigy - Fat of the land - especially Firestarter gave me a boost (as always)! A lot more music was necessary to complete the painting. No painting without music!

Check www.artishox.com for more info about the gallery.

NO ART - BUT AN ART TO ACHIEVE!!!

Like the title already says: no art.

But... in order to be able to enjoy art (and other human pleasure) watch this video and become aware!!

Next: do something with it!

CHANGE!

http://www.storyofstuff.com/international/

It's in English, but you can choose your subtitle!

No... it's not yet skirt day :)

(or like we say in Dutch: Rokjesdag...;-))

I like to paint on canvas or on walls, but it's also fun to paint on other stuff.
Like a skirt, or an apron with enough pockets so you don't need a bag for your cell phone and wallet.
Why not wear original (only 1 piece) art?
More pictures? Check http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42447&id=146660542047392

Who's talking about humanity?

It's all about HUGE egos... the violence in the Middle-East.
The egos of the leaders who have it all... want it all..... and more.
At this very moment people in Libya are slaughtered because they protest against the rigid regime. Who's talking about humanity? This is disgusting. May the force be with the people...

Every day I dive into my own small world, trying to make it as nice, good and positive as I can. I focus on my beloved ones, my friends, the ones I care about, the ones who are important in my life or to whom I can make the difference.
And I focus on my work, of course. But I can not shut my eyes for what is happening in the world. Even with my eyes closed I can feel the unrest, the pain, the injustice.
It makes me feel so powerless, so sad. I don't want to succumb to that feeling. If I do, nothing is worthwhile living for anymore. We have to take responsibility for our own lives.
I keep on searching for the bright sides of life, and trying to create them myself as well. But then again, I wake up next morning and get confronted with the violence, injustice etc.. in this time for example the Middle-East.. and next I can't stop wondering why people do this to each other. Of course... I appreciate even more the peacefull evironment and luxury we live in, but it just is not fair!
What a strange, incomprehensible world we live in.

REPLAY OF INTERVIEW ANTANAS MOCKUS

For those who read one of the previous blogposts:

http://estherbarend.blogspot.com/2010/12/principles-and-questioning.html

and those who are interested:

The replay of the interview Raoul Heertje had with genious and hero Antanas Mockus will be broadcasted next Sunday, Feb 20, on Dutch television, Ned. 2, 23.38 hours.

It's in English, with Dutch subtitles.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!

This man is one of a kind.

He brings hope for a better world and realized the impossible!

And the interviewer shows deep respect!!!

AWESOME!

My art at Galerie Oocker

As from today several of my paintings can be seen at Galerie Oocker in Heusden aan de Maas, The Netherlands
I feel honored that Galerie Oocker has asked me to do a try out with my paintings in their gallery.
Oocker is a beautiful space filled with high quality art, and one of my favourites: Dirk de Keyzer.
Heusden aan de Maas is a beautiful small old fortified city in the middle of the Netherlands, with about 10 art galleries.
So if you'd like to have a wonderful day out, it's worth a visit.
Take a look at www.oocker.com for their artists, opening hours etc...

Next show - March 3 until 8, 2011 in NEW YORK!!

Impression solo show in Paris

Impression of my solo exhibition at Galerie Tatiana Tournemine in Paris, which ended last weekend.
Galerie Tatiana Tournemine is situated in the beautiful 8th district of Paris, just across the Presidential workshop of Sarkozy.
Rue du Faubourg St.-Honoré is filled with high quality galleries and luxurious shops like Prada and Moschino etc...
I'm very happy to be able to work with this gallery, which also has an affiliate in La Baule, in Normandie, France.
My collaboration with them has been succesful up til now and there's more to come.
It was very nice to meet friends and people who are interested in my art and hear what my art does/means to them.
This is the necessary fuel I need to keep going on! Thank you!!!

For more pictures check my Facebook page:
Esther Barend special visual artist page

Article on FAD about my exhibition in Paris

Today on the homepage..

afterwards in will move on in the list of events.

FAD is a London based art website covering contemporary art news, street art, video,design, etc. We cover new openings,art fairs from around the world and have extensive interviews with artists themselves. As well as news from the London scene we cover Berlin,Paris,New York and even the Asian market. It’s an eclectic mix of cool happening art stuff.

FADwebsite.com is also a member of Culture Pundits, an advertising network of art and culture websites. Visit the website for more information.

http://www.fadwebsite.com/

 
http://www.fadwebsite.com/2011/01/31/esther-barend-at-gallery-tatiana-paris-from-monday-january-31st-2011/

RUNNING NOW:

My solo exhibition at
Galerie Tatiana Tournemine
104, Rue du Faubourg St.-Honoré
75008 PARIS - France
www.tournemine.com

until Saturday Feb. 5 - 19.00 hours.

Opening hours:
Monday until Saturday
11-14.00 hours
15-19.00 hours

Detailed close up of "Exhibitory", 120x150 cm

present at Galerie Tatiana Tournemine

Lovely rendez-vous in Paris

Only a flying visit to Paris, in connection with my upcoming exhibition there, but as always I have a lot of fun with my friend Amelia (who lives there). We accidentally met fellow artist Carine Aelterman  (Gallery Tatiana Tournemine) at the chic Bristol hotel and had lunch with music composer Bernard Swell (a.o. soundtrack of the movie CALVET) at La Fourmi in Pigalle - Paris.

Check www.tournemine.com (my Parisian gallery) for Carine’s and my work and exhibitions

Check www.edithprogue.com for Bernard Swells’ extraordinary beautiful music.

An overcrowded opening!

Karin van de Walle and me in front of one of her sculptures

This beautiful Sunday afternoon we went to Vught (near 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands) to the opening of an exhibition of my colleague-friend Karin van de Walle. 

We both work with Gallery Delfi Form and Gallery Tracé in the Netherlands.
Karin makes wonderful sculptures, very recognizable as real Van de Walle's in bronze and ceramics, from small to huge!
Gallery Van Loon & Simons represents Karin's work since a couple of years and now there was a big opening.
I mean really  B I G  !!!!
I was very impressed!
Not only by the business instinct and passion of the young owners, not only by their beautiful gallery, but also by the number of visitors.
It's been a long time that I've seen so many people crowded on the opening of an exhibition.
We had to wait to be able to enter the gallery (a big old mansion) and next we had to queue up, through the entire gallery.
We had hardly entered when we already saw several red dots (which means that the piece of art has been sold) next to Karin's sculptures.
The exhibition was a trio of Karin's sculptures, paintings of Marta Jedrysko and chocolate sculptures (YES!!!) of Arthur de Rouw.
There even were chocolate sculptures of one of Karin's sculptures.
Karin has outdone herself. I love to see the evolution she keeps on making, everytime again.

If you want to see her art for real, I absolutely recommend to visit this exhibition at the beautiful Gallery Van Loon & Simons, with it's very friendly staff and great collection of artists.
Don't forget to visit the beautiful, large garden with sculptures!
For more info: www.vanloonensimons.com .

Solo show in Paris - starting Jan. 31

Plagiary or search for inspiration?

I can check the statistics on my website and blog. It is interesting to see from which parts of the world people are interested in my paintings.
Most viewers come from the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, U.K., Brazil and the United States. Last year I've been visited by inhabitants of 68 countries worldwide.
Not bad. The visitors can be overall divided in art-lovers, art-students and artists.
Besides the countries, I can also see from which town people come.
I noticed that there are regular visitors. Even visitors who visit me on a daily basis.
I've had a few plagiary cases on my work in the past, so I'm more cautious on this.

I'm happy when art-lovers discover my work through the internet. They can see if there's a gallery in their neighbourhood where they can see my art for real or check if there will be an exhibition soon.
It's great to be an inspiration to art-students. It's a compliment when students see me/my art as a role model.
It's nice to be of inspiration to other artists. Artistic recognition is important to every artist.
It's not nice when someone who tries to be an artist/calls himself an artist, and in the meantime he/she tries to steal someone else's style/composition etc... and even tries to sell the pieces.
Some people say it's a compliment when people try to copy your art. Yes and no.
Yes it's a compliment if someone appreciates your art so much that he/she would have wanted to be the creator of it.
But if someones tries to earn his/her living with your style... you will think different about it!

My art is protected with copyright. I won a big case 3 years ago. Also I discovered a few wannabee artists who tried to copy some of my paintings and tried to sell it on the internet.
Fortunately the copies were bad extracts of the originals. But nevertheless, it's not nice to see someone tries to earn money with your creations.
If it was only to hang it on their own walls, I wouldn't care.

My advise to artists on the hunt for new ideas: experiment..... experiment.... experiment.... paint as much as you can, and develop your own style this way!
You will feel so much better having your own style, rather than stealing it from someone else. Creation from the heart is the only true one!

In the meantime I keep on developing. My art evolves because I've got this drive, an unstoppable urge to paint and keep on amazing myself and hopefully others too!

This is about more than art alone, this is about FREEDOM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What about U.S.' FIRST AMENDMENT??????

STOP THE CENSORSHIP!!!!

U.S. Constitution: First Amendment - Religion and Expression:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

---------

The world is getting more and more radical.

This is about more than art alone, this is about freedom.
http://artpositive.org/

Principles and questioning....

Yes... I am self-opinionated and self-conscious.
It is not that I think I have a monopoly on wisdom, on the contrary!
Most things that come on my path I pull into question.
Not life itself, nor earth, nor the universe.
In order not to become insane, I've accepted life for what it is and I focus as much as I can on the advantages of it and on the wonders of mother nature.
What I do question is what people do, think, say, create, (try to) force upon others and why people do things/act/follow (sometimes blindly) because of the simple explanation: 'everybody does it'.
Especially the last part frightens me. I don't want to do things because everybody does it. Even as a child I already chose to take the other path.

Last Monday I saw an interview with Antanas Mockus, by Raoul Heertje (my compliments!) in the series 'Wintergasten'. Mockus is an eccentric mathematician and philosopher (known for his mooning-incident) who was the mayor of Bogota, Columbia, leading this town VERY succesfully in his own very unconventional way.
Not only did he make short work of the ruling corruption and cronyism. By following his own principles and using his imagination and perseverance, he for example succesfully introduced mimes as traffic controllers (dreadfully declining the amount of casualties). You don't believe your eyes... but it is true!

This is only one of the many changes he accomplished.
He was a candidate for the presidential elections in Colombia. Short before the elections he was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. According to his principles he informed the people.
He ended 2nd in the race.

This man is a hero to me... I feel deep admiration.
When you see him, you would not think that this soft intellectual nerd would be capable of changing the world around him.
But he is....
He is an example to me.
Never be afraid to question!
Never be afraid to look beyond your own imagination.

For everyone who is interested and can receive Dutch public television: the interview will be repeated on January 1, 13.55, Ned. 2, VPRO
It's in English (with subtitles)

Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Upcoming solo exhibition in Paris - Galerie Tatiana Tournemine

I've been working succesfully with Galerie Tatiana Tournemine in Paris - France since the beginning of this year.
Soon there will be a spotlight on 4 female abstractionists and I'm one of them.
Each artist will have a short solo exhibition in the cycle 'abstraction au feminin', which takes place from Jan. 17 until Feb. 12 - 2011.

My solo show will be from January 31 until February 5.

Daily opening hours: 11-14.00 h and 15-19.00 hours (Monday until Saturday)
Galerie Tatiana Tournemine, 104, Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré in Paris, France.

The gallery is located across Palais de l'Elysée (the president's workshop), which lies just in between of the Champs Elysée and Boulevard Haussmann (with the famous Lafayette and Le Printemps).
http://maps.google.fr/maps

So if you happen to be in Paris by then, or your live in the neighbourhood, you are more than welcome!

The whites of the winter

Since the end of November the snow dominates our landscape.

The change of the seasons is an everlasting inspiration to me. I love the changing colors. I love what it does with the landscape.

The whites of the winter, in combination with the blue skies, the colors of the forest and the sun casting a warm light on nature is enchanting to me. It makes me feel like living in a fairytale.

I prefer a warm climate, but time and again I'm amazed about mother nature's wonders!

The mini-me collection

I have been painting a collection of very small paintings.

Acrylics on heavy linen

10x15 cm each, framed!

On the combination of pictures you can see the relief/the layers... it's just like the large paintings.

My art on other art blogs!

Daily Art Fixx, one of my favourite art blogs from all over the world, did a piece on my art for the 3rd time in 1,5 years!!

I feel very honored, because I love the taste of the Wendy Campbell, the Canadian art blogger. 

She's got a great collection of artists on her blog, which is read world wide!

If you love to discover new art, I highly recommend her blog!

http://www.dailyartfixx.com/2010/12/14/esther-barend-abstract-and-portable-art/

I also received a message from a fan that one of my paintings was shown on another art blog

http://www.rojo-magazine.com/public-daily/page/7/

I must say, I'm very happy I got this alert, because I really like this blog.

There is so much wonderful art to discover in the world!

LINEART-VISITORS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HEART WARMING REACTIONS

It is true... the snow and slippery roads kept a lot of potential visitors from coming to Lineart.
The amount of visitors on Saturday can be compared with what normally is expected on a Friday.
Sunday was busier, although not like on a usual Lineart-Sunday (when people used to throng the fair, anyway during the last decades)
But... I spoke to a lot of visitors at the booth of Gallery ART-ist, and the reactions were more than heart warming.
I feel overwhelmed by the enthusiastic and awesome comments and the time people took to tell me about how the experience my art.
They don't know how much this means to me, but I'm very grateful for every comment and sign of appreciation.
I don't want to brag, but when people (apart from one another) tell you that your paintings are one of the most innovative they've seen on Lineart and that they are touched by the composition, dynamics and combination of colors... I can tell you from experience: it moves you.
I can feel my wings growing.

LINEART can still be visited, today and tomorrow:
Monday Dec 6. 11.00 - 10.00 pm
Tuesday Dec 7. 11.00 - 07.00 pm
I will not be attending the booth of Gallery ART-ist, but the gallery owners will give you a warm welcome.

Overall it's absolutely worthwhile to visit this fair.

Lineart
Flanders Expo
Ghent - Belgium
www.lineart.be