My thoughts around this time of year

What I feel, conscious and unconscious, has its affect on my work. This is the part which I cannot explain in words.  

The period around christmas and new year, for me, is a great time to read (food for thought), rest and contemplate. So I read 'The lost symbol' of Dan Brown, a few articles on reincarnation, and I am still busy reading 'an historical account of two notable corruptions of scripture' from Sir Isaac Newton (which confirms my thoughts about how things have been (intentionally) misinterpreted in the bible).

I've always been interested in esoteric wisdom, unseen truths and psychology. Because I'm lucky not to be religious-educated, I got curious, already as a young child. I wanted to learn about religions myself. But the more I read, the less I understood. The more questions I asked the 'theology-teacher' in high-school, the lower my grade-point-average got. "One should not question, one should just 'believe'." ????

But that doesn't work for me. I believe in 'God', but the definition for me is not the one that is preached in churches, mosques and temples.

I can see that a lot of religions are based on the same legitimate values, but why on earth all this abuse of power... every time, in about every religion and in so many ways. There's nothing legitimate about that. (As far as I know only the Buddhists have been peaceful, but it's very interesting to know that Buddhism did not start as a religion but as a lifestyle, which I like better. It was turned into a religion later.)

God/Allah/Yaweh would have never approved of all this. Anyway, the god in me does not. I don't like religions for the simple reason of all rules that are imposed/forced upon us. 

One could become depressed from where we (mankind) stand right now.

But I'm not. I'm very positive, and I think that being aware of, and actually feeling the positive and optimistic energy around us, as well as learning from the past, will help us in making the necessary changes.

I wish you a very healthy, good and wise 2010!

Innovation

part of 'Sea of wisdom' acrylic on paper 

The thought suddenly came up, but I just realized that all self-respecting contemporary artists, have an enormous pressure on them. Simultaneously to the developments in the world of machinery/gadgets/communications etc.. to me it seems that an artist nowadays has to keep on evolving and innovating at the same rate. This is largely due to internet and it's communication tools.

If one doesn't innovate, one will be caught up by other artists. There are so many of them....
I would never want to change with them, but at least the artists living in the 19th century (and earlier) did feel no breathing down their necks of a rapidly changing world. Also there were much less artists to compete with. Of course they had to evolve and innovate, but much... much slower....
To look at the bright side: they had other problems ... and a little pressure can give surprising results!

At work

My studio from above, this morning... working on a lot of things... experimenting... and I'll see what this will bring.

Where the process of creating begins

I've got a lot of ideas in my head. They crawl all over each other shouting that they want to be executed, and rather quickly too.
I don't know where to start, how to start, which one to pick first.
It makes me feel restless...
It should be possible to project an idea directly through my eyes on a screen.
It would make my life a whole lot easier and I would be able to bring to life the different ideas which don't have a chance now.

Sunshine

Part of 'Effulgence of the sun'

Though the sky is grey, and it has been raining a lot lately, in my heart the sun is shining.
Since it's December right now, I don't know what is happening to me, but I absolutely enjoy every minute of it. Normally I feel a bit depressed in these dark period before, during and after christmas. I don't like the forced gaiety around christmas, I never did and I probably never will. I always let myself be carried away by this  melancholic period, but for the moment I found a key how to let it pass. I hope it will linger!

Lineart 2009

Yesterday I went to visit the art fair Lineart (edition 28) in Gent, Belgium.

I've visited this fair every edition during the last 5 years.

And, fortunately, this year the quality of the presented work, overall, was great.

In my opinion too many galleries during the last few years showed a rather conservative collection of art. With conservative I mean that they chose for art from artists with the reputation of selling well. Not a lot of new things to discover for the public. I understand that galleries need to sell, but in order to keep attracting audience, they'll have to make it attractive and develop themselves, just like an artist needs to evolve. It's important to impress, to surprise, so the audience wants to come back every year and see what you present this time.

But that was then, and now we had a lot to see. I noticed that some of the artists really made great developments in their work during the last year. I met some artist-friends who were represented by a gallery and they were all very satisfied with the result of the fair. The gallery ART-ist (Geel-Belgium) I work with, was very content too.

The spirit, overall, was positive, and this is a good thing.

I really liked the new (evolved) work of Serge van de Put, Marlis Albrecht, Kalvis Zuters, Paulis Postazs and Raf Veulemans. And I loved seeing again the work of Jef Bertels, Roland Devolder, Jo Pirard, Dirk de Keyzer, and Stephane Halleux. New to me was the work of André Nadal, the works from several artists from the Ho-Gallery (Seoul), Leon Keer, CallmeFrank and I know I've forgotten some.

Afterwards I visited my dear friend in Gent, and I must say: it was a beautiful day!

The positive flow I'm in continues...

Part of 'Exhibitory', one of the last created paintings.

Yesterday I met a sympathatic couple through the gallery of Jules&Jeremy in Utrecht. They saw my exhibition overthere and fell in love with my art. Because of the specific sizes they had in mind, they asked me if it might be possible to create an art piece on commission. I don't do a lot of commissions, but if it feels good to me AND I can do my 'own thing', I accept (of course in cooperation with the gallery).

Anyway, I don't show the painting before I'm completely satisfied with it. And if the client doesn't like it, he doesn't have to take it.

It's always nice to meet people, talk to them and get inspired by their house and personality. After a meeting like this, I put all the impressions together and let it simmer for a while. Then, one day, when it feels good, I start creating.

I'm already curious for the results! That's a good thing to start with!