Sunday, November 29, 2009

BOOST in exciting times

Sales currently are running well again, after it has been quieter than usual for me in September and October.
Of course in times of economic crisis this can be expected.
Fortunately I'm aware that being an artist means that your income is everything but steady. I've learned to live with that.
And putting things in the right perspective helps a lot too, as the manner of seeing does. 
Is your glass half full or half empty?

The many positive reactions on my work kept me eupeptic and optimistic (and grateful) and I'm very glad the negativity in the world didn't affect my work. Actually... maybe it did, but then I've managed to give it a twist in the positive direction. And of course, artists make art because they have to make it…it's like eating or breathing.

In the last weeks there were quite some sales through several galleries and during the Open Studio Weekend some older paintings were sold as well. This is great and it does give me an extra boost to get prepared for a new series of paintings for the new events that are coming up in 2010.

Amongst others:
  • An exhibtion starting on January 10 in Gallery 't Onderhuis, Lage Zwaluwe, Netherlands.
  • The 15-year-anniversary-event at Gallery de Kei in Nuenen, NL medio January. 
  • An exhibition in Basel, Switzerland in March.
  • A solo exhibition at Gallery De Kei, Nuenen, Netherlands. 
  • A solo exhibition at Gallery ART-ist in Geel, Belgium.
I'm looking forward to all of this and wish for everyone, though things will never be the same again, it will become better.

    Friday, November 27, 2009

    The quest

    ..
    David, 30x40 cm........... Urban night life, 90x150 cm
    oil on canvas................ acrylic on canvas
    2004........................... 2009

    Often art-lovers, but also emerging artists, ask about my techniques and how I came to the current state.


    It's a lot of hard work and even more time...

    Blood, sweat and tears are mixed up with laughter, happiness and satisfaction.
    Also there's the knowledge that I've never 'arrived'.. I always have to keep on evolving. Besides the fact that I want to keep evolving, I know that if I don't, it can all collapse, and quickly too!
    Anyway if I get stuck in mediocrity I know it will not bring me satisfaction. Neither would copying other artist's style. Even not when it would sell great and bring me lots of money.
    I'm only being a little idealistic ;-)

    It takes a lot of experimenting, doing, creating, making mistakes etc... to finally create a style which distinguishes your's from other artist's art.
    Most of the people who want to become a visual artist, enter a stage of doing what a lot of others already have done. At that point, at least if you want to protrude above the rest, it's a mistake to think 'now it's art because it can be compared with the quality of what other artists have created'. Creating art is a personal thing, it has to carry your soul in it. It has to come from deep within (I think).
    If you want to show something new, something different, please don't do (after your education of course!) what the rest already has done.
    And if you do it, just do it to learn from it and keep on evolving!
    When you've come to the point that you create things which other artists didn't make (yet), than you're on the right track! Even if the quality isn't good yet! The quality you can improve after you've found a style and/or composition of materials that is really unique. But most of the time in the process this is equivalent to eachother.


    I know most emerging artists want to go fast, but some things you cannot speed up. If you run too fast... haste trips over his own heels.

    Monday, November 23, 2009

    The weekend and the WINNER!


    Before the visitors arrived.

    It was a great weekend. Saturday wasn't as crowded as Sunday, but nevertheless very satisfying. I enjoyed meeting again people who already have some/a painting(s) of my hand, and of course meeting new people. I'm still floating on the enthusiastic and positive reactions. Of course sales help too (lol). I tried to talk with everyone and both Ben and I were so busy, there was only one moment I had the chance to quickly take some pictures.


    There were only a few people who forgot to fill in their details on the lottery. The box was filled and yesterday-evening my youngest son had the privilege, after shuffling the tickets over and over again, to pick (eyes closed) the winner of the new painting 'Reconciliation'. It is Mr. John Luijten from Luijksgestel (NL). He's already received a noticification through email and in the next days I'm going to deliver the painting to him personally.

    Winner of 3 months free hire of the painting he choose to hire is Mr. Theo Kox from Eersel.


    Exhausted but very satisfied yesterday evening at 17.00 hours!

    Tuesday, November 10, 2009

    This iz Art


    A week ago I started a new blog.
    It shows links to, in my opinion, great contemporary artists,
    video's and websites.
    http://this-iz-art.blogspot.com/

    Tuesday, November 03, 2009

    Upcoming Open studio weekend!


    Just to let you know if you want to come:

    I've planned an Open Studio Weekend on
    Saturday November 21, en Sunday November 22.
    Later more details about what to expect.