SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE AUCTION!!!

During the auction, I added 2 more small paintings: Tiny-Est no. 3 and Tiny-Est no. 4.

The auction is closed, and every item has been sold for a nice price. So I am happy with it!
The total yield is absolutely peanuts in comparison with the loss of my friends (because of Sandy, the insurances, the banks and the government), but they are very grateful!

SPECIAL THANKS to all participants in this auction. I am really grateful!
The original paintings are going to Switzerland, USA, Dubai, The Netherlands and Belgium.
Both limited edition fine art prints are going to the USA and The Netherlands.
The signed posters are going to the USA, Spain, France and The Netherlands.

Thank YOU!!!

AUCTION OF MY WORK to help my friends who LOST EVERYTHING!!!!

       3 small original paintings - 2 Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, 1 poster (5 pcs)

They lived on Long Island, New York. Their first loss was because of Sandy, NEXT because of the insurances, THIRD because of the banks, and last but not least....because the system stinks. 

Check THIS link, and click on each picture to see what the starting price is, and what bid has been made.

Bidding starts NOW and ends on February 8, 2013, 00.00 hours CET. 

You can send me a message with the painting/print of your choice and the amount you want to bid, on my personal e-mail: mail@estherbarend.eu or through my FACEBOOK message box .

'Imagine you wake up tomorrow morning. And everything you own is gone. Your home, car, all your belongings, everything you worked for your whole adult life. You spend the next couple weeks camped out on a friends couch. You spend your days tearing down your walls and ripping up your floors because they are septic. Due to mold and sewage. You bag up hundreds of industrial size garbage bags of of your hard earned belongings and memories and put them on the curb for the dump. The weeks turn into months. You rent a place but are still paying a mortgage and tax's for a place you can not live in. Your insurance company who you have paid for decades nickels and dimes you. And even if they pay ( and its the least they have to ) the bank may hold or refuse to cash the check so you can start to rebuild. Then your told after all this you may ( there's a good chance have to elevate your home six to ten feet at a cost of seventy to eighty thousand dollars. So you may want to consider delaying any rebuilding until after that's resolved which could take a couple years. Now imagine this what I just said may well be your best case scenario . That's what the people in my community are dealing with day after day. These are not irresponsible people they just happened to be in the target path of a storm named Sandy. Now they are being run over by incompetent bureaucracy and greedy banks and insurance company's. Now you may not think this is your problem. And I hope it never is. But if it does you will understand how the people in New Orleans and New York, Conn,and New Jersey feel. Good luck with your faith in the system...'

MINDLESS WATCHING - or better: WE ARE SPOILED!!!

We are living in a fast society. 
Every day millions of images, logos and texts come rushing by. Since the entrance of Facebook to the internet, it has been multiplied x1000... or even more.
 
It is a luxury problem and we are spoiled through it.
We set ever higher aims all the time.
Action movies need MORE action and more images than ever before!
Games need to be more explosive, need more action and more images which are sharper than your eyes can digest, etc...
Artists and art lovers check the internet and facebook, and see come by thousands of images every day.
Amongst them BEAUTIFUL pictures, which are sometimes breathtaking and stunning. But the next day, one needs a new shot of even more interesting images again.

Of course, internet is a wonderful phenomena! 
We can instantly visit every place in the world, see and share all those beautiful things, without travelling for hours, without spending a lot of money, etc...
Looking to small pictures of art on the internet, absolutely can not be compared to experiencing a piece of art in reality.
One can't really immerse in it, and does not feel the immensity, the shivers, the humbleness and other upcoming emotions in the same way.
People don't pay a lot of attention to a beautiful piece of art on the internet.
We digest a picture of a piece of art, within a few seconds, before we get hungry for another one again.
This really is a pity.

The american professor in art education Terry Barrett, composed 3 questions, which help us refelect and discuss a piece of art, which is the main goal of art! (Thank you Bregje van der Laar, who does tours in the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam - The Netherlands, for pointing out).
1. What do I see?
2. What is it about?
3. How do I know?
By asking oneself these questions, and sharing answers with one another, people come to new insights.
The questions lead from (mindless) watching to thinking and give meaning to.

I have noticed that, while looking at e.g. a painting, while asking myself those 3 questions, the painting gets a lot more interesting.
It does not have to become pompous/stilted (not for me anyway, I reject pompous).
I get more attracted, want to dig deeper, know more.
It becomes a matter of the soul.
I even think, I get to understand the creator better.
The painting gets more attractive by looking at it, from different points of view.
The three questions help with that!
Of course, when you ask yourself those 3 questions, facing a piece of art in reality, it works the same. It becomes more attractive.

Stop the mindless watching, and start enjoying!!!!

Want to know more?
Check http://www.terrybarrettosu.com/

Challenge - my contribution to a contest

'Chapeau! With sheer royal verve!' 60x80x4 cm | 24x31x1,5 inch, acrylic on canvas (as usual)

If you do not recognize or know her: this is my interpretation of Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands. The NOS (dutch television) has a contest for a portrait of the Queen. The best ones will be selected for an exhibition in Paleis Het Loo, in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. 

It was quite a challenge to catch her. But it was fun too! My explanation about how I constructed the painting is as follows:
I made the background on purpose quite rough, and next made it come back in the foreground, just like Beatrix' background matters in the present. 
Beatrix is glowing, proud, enthusiastic and openly.
Her hat represents her life: a combination of the past (background which also is in the foreground), to the present (thick layers), dynamic movements (turbulent times), warm colours (enthusiasm and passionate).
Nothing stands alone, everything is intertwined.

There are already about 1000 contributions, and there are a lot of FANTASTIC works of art, so it will be hard. Anyway, check it out if you like to: http://nos.nl/koningshuis/beeld-van-beatrix/page/1/

A feel good painting

'Euphoria' - a feel good painting :)

Truly, it is an enormous compliment when other artists, in training, emerging, established or hobbyist, are inspired by my work.
It gives meaning to my existence and to what I do.
I often receive visits on my website from art schools all over the world, and it makes me happy!
I truly hope the students can learn something of how my paintings are put together.
However, when people are trying to copy my work, because they don't have enough imagination of their own, it does annoy me.

How unsatisfying it must be to only copy, especially when you have enough talent of your own!
If it is for reasons to learn and develop, it is okay. However, if one keeps on copying... NAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!
What about your own input? What about creating your own style?
A true artist has a style of his/her own.
Copying most of the time only happens for financial reasons.
It's always about the money.
YUK!!!!!

I feel pity for those who only copy. They NEVER experience the feeling that often comes over me.
It is unexplainable how it feels when another great piece of art rises from under my hands and brushes.
The only word that comes near is EUPHORIA

The ART of LIFE

 

'Thrive'. This documentary might change your worldview. It did mine, but it also confirmed some of the feelings and thoughts I already had. It is absolutely very worthwhile to watch!

A Warm Welcome to all new followers!

I received some nice publicity lately, from significant international ART BLOGS, I highly appreciate:














* Warholian - www.warholian.com and https://www.facebook.com/WarholianFan
* Daily Art Fixx - www.dailyartfixx.com and https://www.facebook.com/DailyArtFixx
* FAD - Cool Art Stuff - www.fadwebsite.com and https://www.facebook.com/FADartstuff?ref=ts
* ArteeCollage - A style of permanence - www.arteecollage.com and http://arteecollage.wordpress.com/2012/09/20/creative-thirst-thursday-introducing-esther-barend/

Because of this publicity, I am happy to give a warm welcome to all new followers of my art and adventures!

If you are interested in invitations and special offers, subscribe to my newsletter: HERE

'I Need Your Attention'

That's the title of the painting I'm constructing. It's almost ready. I guess it takes one or two more days.
The figurative-abstracts take more time than ever, because of more layers and more details.
Today someone asked me, if I was inspired by masks of carnival.
Not at all... on the contrary! 
I want to show on the outside, what's on the inside.

We've got a lot more going on in our inner world, than we show on the outside.

A lot of people wear a mask all the time. They (unconsciously) hide their history, emotions or uncertainty behind it.
The looks we see on the outside, can be strengthened, weakened, supplemented or adjusted, by the sensations and thoughts, which are (sometimes carefully) hidden on ones inside. 
We just have to open our minds, to look beyond our initial sight. 
It's in the manner of seeing, that moves our understanding.

This is a close up of a part of the painting. 
When the painting is ready a picture of the complete work will follow soon (here or on my website).

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!

Successful and very crowded opening...

... of my solo show at Galerie De Kei in Nuenen, the Netherlands

I had a GREAT weekend!

Next Sunday start of a new solo show @ Gallery De Kei + free artist-print.

'Lucid Intuition' is ready, right in time before my next solo exhibition will get started. And don't think you've seen it on this picture... you have not seen the sides yet... and did I mention the layers? ;)

You are very welcome to come visit this show which runs from Sunday May 13 until June 17 - 2012, at Gallery De Kei in Nuenen, The Netherlands. In this show you can see a combination of my Dynamic Abstract-series and the 'Girls in Paint' series.

Upcoming Sunday the opening will take place. Of course everyone is cordially, happily, cheerfully ;) invited for the opening from 14.00 - 17.00 hours.

And during this opening show (as long as supplies last) an artist-print of one of my 'Girls in Paint' is waiting for you.... for FREE! By the way, it's not the one below (Different Points of View). Check http://www.galeriedekei.nl for the address.

Maybe we'll meet there!

CALVET in Belgium.

(sorry, my friend and I were pulling various funny faces... not suitable for publicity :) You'll have to do with this part of the picture)

Sunday evening I went to DOCVILLE in Leuven, Belgium to see CALVET for the second time.
This documentary, made by Dominic Allan, with touching soundtrack of Edith Progue, about my fellow artist Jean Marc Calvet, also for the second time, hit me right in the face again.
The shooting of this documentary has been like a therapy for Jean Marc, going back to the venues of his past. Although Dominic is the producer and director of this film, he turned out to be a very good friend for him as well during this period (and still is). When you face your shadow, like Jean Marc did, you need some very good company for reflection. 

In my point of view, CALVET is so much more than 'only' a documentary. That is why everyone should see it.

Take your chance if you live in Belgium or the Netherlands, tomorrow MAY 3, DOCVILLE, Cinema Zed in Leuven, Belgium, 21.45 hours. check www.docville.be

Standing in the middle of LIFE

This is a part of my latest painting 'Standing in the middle of LIFE'.

The painting reflects my current feelings. As one can see, I've got a lot going on in my life. However I am a very positive person, not everything is well. But hey... let the one stand up, who is doing perfectly well. I am very grateful for the positive consequences... and, blimey, I feel very alive and kicking! For the complete painting, check my website www.estherbarend.eu

CALVET - the movie in BELGIUM!!!!

Yes... finally CALVET is coming to Belgium. The screenings will take place on April 29 and May 3 on the DOCVILLE festival in Leuven. The movie about the unlikely life story of my fellow artist - French painter Jean Marc Calvet, is as impressive and fascinating as his paintings. Little by little the viewer is led into the world of the now very successful artist who struggled to distance himself from his turbulent past as a drug-addicted thief who walked out on his own son. He fled to South America where for nine months he underwent a terrifying metamorphosis in all meanings of the word. A brutal but inspiring film about human low points, responsibility, regret and hope, destruction and artistic creation. The soundtrack is made by my dear friend Edith Progue.
I was privileged to see this movie at DOC NYC, in New York last November, in the company of Jean Marc Calvet himself, the producer Dominic Allan and the gallery owners of Monkdogz Urban Art, with whom Jean Marc and I work in New York.
The documentary just hit me right in the heart. 

Check http://estherbarend.blogspot.com/2011/11/film-and-exhibition-in-new-york.html, if you want to read about my experiences.
Check www.calvetmovie.com for more info and on http://www.jmcalvet.com/ for Jean Marc Calvet's paintings

Of course now I've ordered tickets again!

Do you want to join me? You can order the tickets online: http://www.docville.be/programma/film.asp?film=21317 - http://www.docville.be/programma/film_en.asp?film=21317
I'll be going on April 29!
Maybe we'll meet in Leuven!!!

DON'T mention them!!!

This blog is about my art....

But what seriously annoys me, is that the media in the whole world, talk all the time about the lawsuit of a serial killer from Norway, who murdered about 77 young people... and about the lawsuit of a male person in the Netherlands, who is that sick in his head, that he has had the most perverse sex with babies and children. And these are only a few examples...

WHY???
WHY do we need to be remembered all the time of these sick people.
Just do NOT mention them!!!
If no one talks about them, if they are ignored.... they are punished more.
They just love the attention.

The media themselves are sick too
I think it is very important that people stay critical and that the people stay informed about what's happening in the world.... But I get a nasty taste in my mouth, about the reporting of a large part of the media nowadays.... it's all about the money here too. Who's the first to report about the next murder??? Who will be the first to film, photograph.......
Really sick...

How wonderful would it be if the media would start looking for the bright sides of life more...
All this negative, awful and bad reporting... it does the world no good.

My art on TIMES SQUARE New York City?????

Okay... this is really me...

I decided to participate to this awesome looking art competition....

But now I just found out that it appears that if I had enough money, I would be able to just BUY ME IN TO THIS COMPETITION...

and if I do 'Your work is guaranteed to be shown on a 21 ft by 12 ft sign in Times Square'

Duh?????

Only if 77 people within less than 1 day click on 'COLLECT ME' on my page, I will be able to enter the competition.... not that my art will be shown on Times Square jet. And okay, since I am not very good in networking I think I can forget about it.

I'd better get back to what I'm good at: painting.

;)

If you do believe in miracles and want to try to help me get my art to Times Square .... stop dreaming! I withdraw my participation. I don't want to be part of this.

LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT

just been born... still got a long way to go to grow up

I've been pretty successful lately in painting and sales of paintings, despite of the economic crisis. But suddenly LIFE itself has hit and overrun - like a truck - every fiber of my body and soul. The rollercoaster takes me to places I've never been before, without taking into account whether I want to go there, or not. Life can bring and take. It's what you do with it, how you react on it and it's in the manner of seeing, that moves your understanding. I don't know where we are going, but I know I can do it.

Watching life through a lens

Watching life through a lens, 50x20x4 cm | 20x8x1,5 inch

Another painting in the Girls in Paint series is ready.
It is a small painting, but it is so detailed, that it took me a long time to finish it.
The model is sitting on her pink cloud, watching life through a lens. Everything looks so promising and beautiful to her...
On the hunt for positivity in the tormented world we live in, with spring in the air, this little painting makes my life a little more beautiful.

It was a good intention to shut myself off, of the rest of the world... but completely impossible because of the horrible tragedy which has hit my hometown.
Every parent's nightmare: 22 children and 6 adults (15 children -from a class of 22 - and 2 adults were from my hometown Lommel) - died Tuesday in a touring-car accident in Switzerland. 24 injured and traumatized for the rest of their lives.
Terrible!! The grief is like a blanket over the city. Today at 11 o'clock a minute's silence out of respect for the victims and their families and the flags are at half mast throughout the day. My thoughts are with the relatives.
Every day I understand less about life... if we do not shut ourselves off every now and then, we could easily get crazy. Looking for the positive side of life... and their are dozens of positive sides.... let's not forget that.
But today it is time to gireve.

Immerse in paint

Back to work, in stead of worrying about the world... this feels soooo much better.
I'd best shut myself off, of the rest of the world, and stay in my own beautiful environment.
'Life is what you make it', I always say, so I'd better stick to my own words and conviction.
And hey... spring is in the air!! Yeeehaaaa!

Esther Barend has decided to protect the Earth!!!

Would it be a good idea to join the 'save the planet - publicity stunt hype' which is ruling our media?

Every self respecting brand nowadays announces to protect the oceans (Davidoff Cool Water), save the Filipino Crocodile (Lacoste) or reduce carbon dioxide emissions (L'Oreal). This is just a small selection of what I read in the media during the last week.
Those brands are so fulfilled by their own benefactor-act that they use it as a marketing tool, hoping more people will choose for their brand because of their good heart. I even dare to claim that some of them picked a good cause on purpose, with the aim to serve as a publicity stunt!
I'd say this is just a lot of bragging, automanipulation, look what a great brand/company/person I am... everyone should buy MY products!!

I wonder if more people would buy my paintings if I'd announce that I've been reducing carbon dioxide emissions for ages, only eat meat once a week, have reduced water-usage to a minimum, am not a big consumer, take the bike instead of the car whenever I can, donate a large amount of money to the Red Cross every year and although I already apply sustainable energy when- and wherever I can, I have decided to become even more sustainable????
Nahhhhhh, I don't think so!

Sources:
http://www.basenotes.net/content/1056-Davidoff-Cool-Water-to-Partner-National-Geographic-Society-Pristine-Seas-Programme
http://www.mabuwaya.org/index.cfm?p=FF6A11E6-DD6F-66C2-42E5874FDDB529EC
http://www.wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/retailing/loral-italia-introduces-a-zero-emissions-project-5760410

I'm tired feeling miserable

I've been ill for 4 days now and I'm really fed up with it already. I NEVER have a cold and it has been decades since I last had the flu... It seems like it's coming out now all at once. I am way too impatient to just lie, sit, lie, sleep, read, watch tv, check FB, and do nothing else than sneezing and coughing and feeling miserable all the time, but I decided to surrender to it. Well.... There is not much else to choose from. Also... since I'm never ill and there are MUCH worse things in life, I don't have anything to complain about! Anyway I tell myself that it has a purpose, and although I really believe it does, I hope I feel better very soon. This is soooo boring and tiring. ....  And there's a painting waiting for me to be finished.

My art in CATAPULT Art Magazine

Check this link:

http://issuu.com/catapultartm/docs/catapult_0312.v7?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

And take your time, because there is a lotttt to discover.

Enjoy it!

Life is full of Hairpin Bends....

During the past years it's taking me longer than ever before to create a painting.
I am never without ideas (happy!!) and the composition (the big picture) is there quite quickly, but next... it is all about the details.
With lots of patience I've been working on my latest painting: Hairpin Bends, 120x40 cm | 47x16 inch.

The title of this post already explains the title of the painting.
Life = Change.
Since our planet and its residents are experiencing a lot of changes which keep on accellerating, we have to adjust all the time.
In order to find a new balance, this means that sometimes we have to make AND take a lot of hairpin bends.
Taking hairpin bends sometimes also includes taking risks. But hey.. that is life. Living without taking risks is dull.
Then again... sometimes there is nothing to choose. This is what it is, take it or leave it.

Wires of life

'Get Under the Wire'

After the explosion of colors in my last work - The Year of the Dragon - I wanted to make a work in black and white. Well, almost only black and white, since I added only one color (in several tones of course!) to it. When I look at my painting now it's finished, I just cannot believe that I've worked on it for weeks (with a pause of 5 days because I had the pleasure of having my fellow artist Bayo - mexican but living and working in Austin, Texas - and his wife staying at my house). It has a lot of details, but at the same time it looks so simple to me. I've been 'in this painting' for so long that I can not look at it objectively anymore.

It is called 'Get Under the Wire', 100x160 cm | 39x63 inch.

Get under the wire, is an english expression, and to me it's that + the exact translation of the words and a lot more. 

Talking of Bayo, his work is really awesome!!! He was in Belgium to attend the opening of his solo exhibition 'Let me in' at ARTISHOX Art Gallery. If you live in the neighborhood, just go there and take a look at his fantastic work. The show runs until March 4. If not, and you are curious: visit www.artishopix.com. You can order his work online! And don't forget to take a look at the work of the other artists, as well as mine on artishopix!!!

Cleaning up

Mucking out my studio and take stock is not my idea of having fun...
Many pots are almost empty, but since I don't want to waste anything I'll scrape out the paint until the last drop.
Not the most adventurous thing to do....
The good thing of cleaning up is that I find back things I lost a long time ago.
By now you must have understood that I am not the most tidy person in the world....
The definition 'chaotic' fits better.
Anyway... I have to continue my 'quest'. Writing this blogpost was just an excuse to take a pause from doing work I don't like.

In the middle of a new painting

Finally the sun is shining... although tomorrow it will be raining again. Like it has not been raining for almost the entire month of December... grrrrrrr.
What really worries me though is to hear the sound of birds which usually announce spring... and to see buds on trees and bushes.... which always gives me this good feeling! But not in the first week of January!!!
But worrying does not help....So I better enjoy the sunlight shining into my studio big time!

I've started a new painting on the second day of this year and I just can't let go of it.
It grows under my hands and everytime again I watch it like it's a miracle. Maybe that is what drives me...?
There still is a lot of work to do on this painting and I don't know how long it will take to finish it. I've learned to be patient (well only considering my paintings).
It is called 'The Year of the Dragon' which is about to start (on January 23), my Chinese sign, so my year. Curious what it will bring! I'm going back to my painting now.

Last day of the year....

A challenging brand new year lies ahead of us.
Unstable times, worsening economic crisis and accelerating climate changes do not really make people carefree...  To put it mildly...

We can dive into it, and stay under water.... But we better act creative, pick out the positive sides of the changes and take up the challenge to drag out the best and enjoy every single minute of it!
Anyway, that is what I do, and plan to keep on doing. I can assure you, it's proving a success and makes one feel better!

I wish you luck, health and wisdom, positive energy and creativity in all aspects. Keep your eyes wide open and embrace life.

Welcome 2012!

The machine goes on and on..

For a lot of reasons this time of year, as long as I remember, never has been my favorite one.
Winter can have its charm, but not when it's wet, cold and grey...
Especially the wet and grey part are not my cup of tea.
Time for contemplation.

No painting now... I'm taking a break.
Well, my hands do.... but in my head the machine goes on and on.

Making plans for my new series.
I can't hardly wait to start it. But first it has to simmer, and next it will start to itch.
That's good!
When the itch becomes unbearable I'll start painting.
I'm already curious for the results!

picture by Esther Barend

UNDERLYING ANXIOUSNESS

Spot painting by Damien Hirst

First: I am not only an artist, but I'm also an art lover. Loving art to me means that I can leave my own taste at home, and 'judge' contemporary and older art by its quality, originality, unicity and power to impress/touch the heart/get under one's skin. And (for older art) also the time/period that it was made in. Usually I only react on art and artists when I really think it's great (or when an artists asks my opinion, but then I will always give constructive criticism). I don't like to talk bad about art, because negative criticism can say as much (or more) about me, than on the art(ist) in question and I also do not want to disappoint people.
But now... I'm sorry, I really need to speak up. Not because I think that I am better! NO... because I think a lot of artists, including myself DESERVE better. At least as much as Damien Hirst...
Or I'd better turn it around? He does not deserve more than a lot of extremely talented/their-ass-of-working/high quality/unique/original artists do....? 

Maybe I just have to see it this way: he's the lucky one....?!
 
What's this all about?

Damien Hirst, who is said to be one of todays leading contemporary artists, confided to the Los Angeles Times, that his SPOT paintings look "sort of happy — like Skittles or kids' sweets" but "when you see them together you get kind of lost in them. There's an underlying anxiousness."..... Wow, what a story!!!!  
I can't believe that buyers fall for that crap! I get an underlying anxiousness as well when I look at those paintings... because I can NOT understand that people pay a lot of money for something so UNoriginal and dull (times at least 300 !!!! ... Is that original ?????).

Hirst's SPOT paintings are exhibited in all Gagosian Galleries all over the world. 
YES.... GAGOSIAN!!!!!! 
 
Gagosian is a leading gallery. I mean... if I could work with them... that would be like winning the lottery... okay okay I will stop dreaming out loud.
But really... I do NOT see another reason for them to work with Damien Hirst than the fame of his name.... or differently said: the money they can earn with his fame. Or do they really LOVE his spot paintings and butterflies???
I know that a gallery is not a charity institution. They have to earn money just like everyone else does. But there really are artists on this planet who have more exciting art to select from!
Of course, Hirst has done a lot more than his Spot paintings and his Butterfly paintings. I actually like his shark (and other animals) period... because it was innovative. But I cannot say that about his recent work (of the last couple of years). I think it's highly overestimated and personally I do not understand that an artist of his level wants the Spot paintings to be known as his! I'm sorry... I would not! I would love to advice Gagosian on some very good other artists though!

I need to add that I am not a jealous person. I really wish the best to everyone, especially to those who work hard to reach their goals (in each field). I wish the best to Damien Hirst as well (so Damien don't take this too personal!). By the way Damien, there are some other artists as well who would easily fit in this post, instead of you.


Source: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-et-damien-hirst-20111210,0,4972793.story

Reflection by MOVIETTES FILM

Below you will find a link to a video that has been 

made by Moviettes Film for Monkdogz Urban 
Art Gallery in New York City. It concerns the launch
on DOC NYC Film Festival in New York of CALVET,
the documentary directed and produced by Dominic 
Allan on the extraordinary life of my fellow artist at
Monkdogz: Jean Marc Calvet. Also he filmed on the
opening of the solo exhibition of Jean Marc
afterwards 'INVASION' at Monkdogz Urban Art.
I was there and I can tell you, it really is a very 
good reflection of the happening and the atmosphere.

Currently the documentary is running in several 

theaters all over the U.K. 
Check www.calvetmovie.com for more info.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/32578831?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0

Impression Solo show at Van Bellen Art

Just a few pictures of the solo show at Van Bellen Art in Willemstad the Netherlands which started Sunday Nov 27 and runs until Dec. 31 2011.

More info, check www.vanbellenart.nl

Get Inspired! Magazine

It's great when your art is published on an ART WEBSITE which presents high level quality art. Mine was! Get Inspired! Magazine is a multi talent platform where artists and designers can get their daily inspiration divided in different sub groups. The magazine tries to deliver you high quality work from the best artists and designers in the world. Get Inspired! Magazine is, and always has been, independent.

Click here to see the result:

http://getinspiredmagazine.com

The next big thing.. (last one this year!)

The last exhibition of this year is coming up. It will be at 'Van Bellen Art' in Willemstad, the Netherlands and it's a solo exhibition.

I'll be attending the vernissage on Sunday, Nov 27, 14.00-17.00 hours. 

It would be so nice to meet you there!

The exhibition will last until Dec. 31.

Van Bellen Art successfully represents my work since mid 2011.

Willemstad is a beautiful old town near Rotterdam. It's an ancient fortress, and really worthwile to pay a visit to. First there was Willemstad in the Netherlands (1584), later on another Willemstad was founded on Curaçao.

Making someone happy!

Mrs. Tilly van Deursen, the winner of

'Come fly with me' was so happy with her price, that she came to visit me in my studio this afternoon to receive the painting in person.

More publicity on my art ....

What a surprise to see my art appear on

the russian website Antigorod

 

+

Sweet-station (scroll down)

+ in the magazine MaxLife Antwerp (also preview online) 

http://issuu.com/max-life/docs/maxlife-antwerpen-2/7

+ an article on my painting 'The ultimate conjunction' in the magazine MANAGER

Film and exhibition in New York

Pictures here of, of course NEW YORK - the theatre - Director of CALVET Dominic Allan and me - Jean Marc Calvet (the artist himself!) standing in the doorway at the beginning of the movie - Questions and Answers after the movie and next.... INVASION to the opening of the solo exhibition of Jean Marc Calvet at Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery on 150, 52nd. street - pictures made by me.

The day after the launch of CALVET I wrote an entire review on my iphone. 

I just had to get it out!

But somehow I could not publish it on my blog. So now, back home, I'm going to publish it after all. And a little bit more.

Sunday morning, NYC:

I'm sitting at Starbucks on 7th Avenue, drinking a green tea and thinking over what I've been experiencing during the past days here in NY.
The Calvet movie was just stunning. It has been launched yesterday at the DOC NYC festival in New York City.
Not that it is an action film with a lot of special effects... It's just this amazing extraordinary story told with so much openness
(I don't know if that word exists) and integrity that it hit me right in the heart.
It just rolled over me and afterwards it just blew me away.
Maybe because I know Jean Marc in person, maybe because of his honesty and not keeping up appearances...
Maybe because of the integrity of Dominic Allan the director of the documentary...
Maybe because of the intriguing music of Edith Progue... But I think it's everything together.
I've been following the proces of the movie since 2008, when I started working with Monkdogz Urban Art,
the gallery both Jean Marc Calvet and I work with in New York.
I've get to know him a little bit over the past years, am close with the gallery owners Marina Hadley and Bob Hogge, got to know several people
who are involved with the movie, like Dominic Allan and Edith Progue... I feel really priviliged to have been able to
attend this very special happening and the opening of the solo exhibition afterwards.
It was really crowded and there was this awesome undiscribable positive vibe...
It's the day after and I'm still walking around with this crazy smile on my face.
Just being happy I think and enjoying life. I'm going out there again now, in the sunshine
Just took a look at the NY marathon at Central Park and now heading to Times Square. I just love New York.

Opening of INVASION by Jean Marc Calvet, at Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery, 150 East, 52nd street, New York CityLots of very enthusiastic people and art lovers and buyers :)

I can only say this: go see the movie somewhere, somehow. It will be shown in several theatres in Great Brittain from Nov 24 until Dec. 13. and also will be launched on more film festivals all over the world. More info, check: www.calvetmovie.com and check Calvet's art on www.jmcalvet.com

And see here the Questions and Answers - interview after the movie.

http://youtu.be/bFPGrgcrHig

 

ATTENDING THE LAUNCH OF CALVET IN NEW YORK

Today is a very special day. Finally the movie about my fellow artist Jean Marc Calvet is being launched on the DOC NYC Festival in New York City. I'm one of the guests (YESS) and afterwards I'll be attending the opening of the solo exhibition at Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery on 150 East, 52nd street. The show will last Nov 10, so if you want to take the opportunity to see his work: GO THERE! If you want to meet the artist, Jean Marc Calvet will be there every afternoon!

I arrived in New York yesterday and met with Dominic Allan, the director and producer of the film. We mailed several times over the past year, and it was great to finally meet in person. Of course Jean Marc was there too, painting, installing and having fun... It will be a great day today and maybe I'll meet one of you too!
I know one thing... when the film starts and the music comes up, the goosebumps will be there! Thank you for the wonderful music Edith Progue! (I've heard it about a thousand times)