Wednesday, December 29, 2010

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, December 27, 2010

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!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

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!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

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.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

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!

Monday, December 06, 2010

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

Friday, December 03, 2010

Opening LINEART 2010




















The cold, ice and snow played spoil-sport for the opening of the 29th edition of LINEART yesterday.
Fortunately not everyone stayed at home and at one point there were a lot of people.
But on the previous openings of Lineart it was much busier.
Nevertheless... the booth of Gallery ART-ist looks great and the quality of the offered art overall on Lineart is high.

So, if you are curious take your car, or go by train, bus or tram.
Flanders Expo, Gent - Belgium (the location of Lineart) can be reached very easily by public transport.

Opening hours:

Friday Dec 3. 11.00 - 10.00 pm
Saturday Dec 4. 11.00 - 07.00 pm
Sunday Dec 5. 11.00 - 07.00 pm
Monday Dec 6. 11.00 - 10.00 pm
Tuesday Dec 7. 11.00 - 07.00 pm

Curious for more pictures? Check my visual-artist page on Facebook

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

New ART-BAGS and new PAINTINGS















My website has been updated with several new paintings.
Some of them will be exhibited in a few days on LINEART 2010, Gent - Belgium, booth 1461 of Gallery ART-ist. (www.lineart.be)















Also, when you click the button PROJECTS, you will see new art-bags.
I finally found the time to photograph them in a proper way.
For more info on the art-bags you can contact me.

Finally, the website on CALVET the movie is online!




















click on the picture if you want to go to the website! 
I've been very curious but finally the website on CALVET - the movie about fellow artist Jean Marc Calvet (Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery) is online.
The movie tells the extraordinary story of Jean Marc Calvet.
You can watch the trailer, hear some beautiful pieces of the soundtrack, read the very impressive Director's note,
view the paintings of Jean Marc... and next... I assure you, you really want to see this movie!!!!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Sheer delight

Detail of Sheer Delight, diptych 120x50 cm

I've locked myself in my studio for the past 10 days. During the last 5 days I've been working at least 12 hours a day.
My eyes are exhausted of being focussed all the time and the bright colors are dancing in front of me.
Not 2, but 3 new paintings came out. The last one is not dry yet. It had to be painted, I just had to spit it out.
It amazes me how restless I can get, how big the urge can become... strange beings we humans are!
Satisfied with the result I can lay back today and the rest of the weekend...
 

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

LINEART is in sight




















That is why I locked myself in my studio. I'm working very hard on 2 new paintings which have to complete my exhibition at this renown international art fair.

Gallery ART-ist has a spacious booth and will present 10 to 12 of my recent paintings.

Lineart, December 2: special opening night.

December 3 until 7:
Flanders Expo, Gent - Belgium

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

INVITATION to Lineart 2010!

























From December 2 until December 7 - 2010, my art will be presented on LINEART 2010, the international fusion art fair, in Gent, Belgium.


Gallery ART-ist, Geel - Belgium, will represent my art on the 29th edition of this renown art fair.
You are kindly invited!
I've got several free entrance tickets, so contact me if you want one.

I hope to meet you there!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

(ABSENCE of) Art can change the world!



















In the Netherlands the government has plans to save 220 million euros on art and culture.
In Belgium they are talking about savings of only 14 million.

Of course, there's an economic crisis going on and there have to be savings in every sector.
No doubt that it is a great plan to reconsider every given subsidy in every sector.
I can only hope that a mixed committee will be composed of people who really know how important arts and cultural issues are to reconsider every given subsidy.
I never received any payment at all from the government. I've been self supporting all the time.
But, if the government would not have given subsidy to the art academy where I've studied, I would not have been able to study art, I would not have been able to do what I do right now.

Savings of 220 million euros in a small country like the Netherlands is absolutely ridiculous.
The people who suggested this plan don't have the faintest idea what the consequences of this outrageous plan will be.
They don't know how important art and culture are to a large group of people, consciously and unconsciously.

Don't those members of the government
-ever get goose bumps when they hear a beautiful piece of music?
-know that creating art, whether the quality is good or bad, has an enormous therapeutical effect?
-know that music/art/film/education in arts helps to reduce medical costs, because of their therapeutical effects?
-love watching a good movie/series on TV/play which is typical for their own country/culture or is innovative/touching etc...?
-know that art can change the world?

Friday, November 12, 2010

And this is what is ON the painting

Well... not the whole painting but a detailed close up of the painting 'A peek into Paradise', 220x80 cm.
I think it looks much better than the smutty emulsion that was on my hands, the rags and my palette.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Smutty Esther and her tools

The result after a day of painting.
Well... that what is NOT on the painting, but what's left.
I'm going to take a long shower!

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

'Je comprenais ce language'


CALVET 2' Trailer from Dominic Allan on Vimeo.

Today the trailer of CALVET was released!
Jean Marc Calvet is my fellow artist at Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery in New York City. He's a self-educated autonomous artist who started painting about 8 years ago....
Via a terrifying trip to hell and back, Jean Marc Calvet was given a second chance at life, and now a successful artist on a quest for redemption, he embarks on an extraordinary journey to make peace with his past. Dominic Allan is the director of this movie. Edith Progue is the music-master.

The last time I saw some of Jean Marc's paintings for real is about 2 years ago. Back then it was already impressing. But having followed his evolution I can see the progress and I like very much what I see. It's GOOOOD! I love the shadows in his work, I love the playing with the layers... it makes it deeper, more intens, just like life itself is.
  
I'm very curious for the movie!

Watch out for it!

Monday, November 08, 2010

One of those days...




















Today is one of those days that I'm not at ease with myself and painting is not satisfying me.
Fortunately I do not have many of those days. So if it happens I don't fight it, but accept my 'off-day' after a short struggle with myself.
Clear my head, reading, taking a walk... it all helps. And feel-good-things too!
One of my friends recently sent me the link to a very inspiring short movie.
One which shows that one can be creative, even despite the worst imaginable problems.
Take only 20 minutes of your time to watch it... it will  enrich you.
 
















Wait 10 seconds, the film will start automatically.

"The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph"

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Blooom - photo-review!















































I had a great time with ARTISHOX Art Gallery at BLOOOM, the creative industries art show, part of the world famous ART fair 21 in the Staatenhaus am Rheinpark in Cologne, Germany. Thursday at 15.00 hours the first visitors arrived and this party went on until Monday evening 20.00 hours.
What a great atmosphere at BLOOOM. I met so many lovely people... this really makes me feel so good. It was exhausting, 5 days on a row... but the great reactions gave me wings, time after time. Very succesfull!!!

Monday, October 18, 2010

New, new, new....

A new series: A blast of air in full color. While I was working on it, I already fell in love with the paintings...

Saturday, October 16, 2010

TIMES SQUARE TO ART SQUARE


Yesterday I saw an item on Dutch national television about a Dutch student (and a large team of assistants) of  who wants to change Times Square into Art Square temporarily. 


































Times Square to Art Square Teaser from Times Square to Art Square on Vimeo.

I think this is such an epic idea! If you are interested in participating, donating, etc.. please read the rest on http://www.timessquaretoartsquare.org

Monday, October 11, 2010

Party! - Life is only what you make it

After I've been working very hard on a new collection of Portable-Art, today I finished a diptych. Not a large one, only 140x30 cm/55x12 inch, but nevertheless very laborious.
'Party! - Life is only what you make it'.

Last week Antonie Kamerling, a famous actor in the Netherlands, committed suicide, only 44 years old. I was really shocked.
First there was only the news that he was dead, but I immediately knew he committed suicide. He had something over him, a sort of 'tristesse' below the mask of happiness he wore... Apparently he suffered of depressions. He left behind a wife and 2 young children. I wish them the best. 
Most people don't understand at all. He was talented, good looking, succesful and had everything he wanted, they say... But some things in life are that elusive and incomprehensible that you just have to accept that it is what it is. 

Life is what you make it. So let's celebrate it as much as we can.
 
courtesy of Henk van Kooten
 
 

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Why do a lot of Facebookers and LinkedInners want to collect thousands of friends?




















I really don't understand and am sincerely interested!

I got myself an account on Facebook in 2007.
At the beginning I tracked down my friends, fellow artists I know in person, people from the past etc..
I was fun to communicate through this medium.
When I received friend-requests from unknown people I refused for the simple reason that I did not know them.
Nowadays most of the time the new connections come through friend-requests I receive.
I post links to my blogposts on Facebook, for the interested friends who wanted to connect themselves, and furthermore I comment on my friends messages. Also there's a bit of teasing and making fun!

I noticed that a lot of people are collecting friends.
I can understand if you admire an artist/popstar/writer/actor/musicians etc..., and you want to follow this person or group.
But what does it bring an average person to have thousands of friends? I'm really curious.
I consider myself an average person. I accepted friend requests from people who want to follow me as an artist, but I'm no Moby or Madonna.
What struck me, is that some fellow artists send requests to everybody, and after you accepted those requests, and became friends, they never show any interest in you.
In my opinion the friendship is more or less forced upon you. And only one-way. It looks a lot like spam.
Some people have no other activity on their wall then their daily completion of new friends.

Why do people collect so many friends through social media?
Is it because one derives their identity from their number of friends?
Or the amount of famous people one is connected to?
Is it opportunism, and trying to ride along with succesful people?
Is it because one thinks one can become sort of famous this way?
Is it for professional marketing purposes? And does this have satisfying results (when you're not already a famous person)
Because if everyone has got thousands of friends, their news feed-page gets stuck with messages from all those people and one can not see the wood for the trees anymore.
One cannot be famous amongst millions of famous people.

What I'm I missing if I don't start collecting lots of friends?

Who has the answers?

Monday, October 04, 2010

Portable-Art collection 2010.




















Last year I did a project called Portable-Art.
The idea came up, and after a lot of experimenting a collection of art-bags appeared.
I got really awesome reactions on the art-bags (fully created and manufactured by myself, which cost me days for one bag).
But I got fed up with the very meticulous process of manufacturing and finished the project. Back to my large paintings (what a relief!!!)
However, I still love the idea and still receive great reactions. 2 weeks ago suddenly a new variation arose in my mind and I started experimenting again with new art-bags.
Above a first peek. A close-up of an art-bag of the 2010-collection under construction. The first new bags will be exhibited on BLOOOM, the creative industries art fair in Cologne (Oct 28 - Nov. 1). When the collection is ready I'll add it to the Portable-art page on the Project-page of my website (I need to update the old page).

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Living from the heart

Detail from 'The big coalescence'

I'm reading a very interesting book, written bij Ab Straatman. It's about living from the heart (only published in Dutch).
It's full of confirmations about how I think about life (which touches me because I always thought I was a bit crazy concerning this), and of course also new insights.
Interesting is the part about male and female. He writes that on cellular level there is only a tiny difference in the DNA of men and women.
Deep in your soul everyone is masculin and feminin. But deeper, in your subconsciousness, you're neither masculin, nor feminin.
That struck me because I've often experienced that when I'm creating, and I'm in a sort of 'not being around'-mode, it doesn't matter at all who I am, or what I am.
Actually, when I'm in that sort of mode, I do not realize it. It's always afterwards, when I ask myself where I was when the composition was made.
Also, I'm often told that one's thought on first sight was, that my paintings were made by a man. It comes as a surprise that they were created by a woman.
I think that my paintings come from deep within me. From the place where it doesn't matt
er what you are.
Ab says that your subconsciousness is one of the strongest creating forces in life. In every way! I think it's true.

Friday, September 24, 2010

The big coalescence







































It took me all week to paint this new work which consists of about 7 layers.
It's 140x110 cm / 55x43 inch.
'The big coalescence', my expression for unconsciously and consciously wishful thinking for a better world.
I've given up the idealistic idea that this will ever come true, so I create my own world.
And I like it! ;-))

Monday, September 20, 2010

Highly recommended

French painter Jean Marc Calvet, living in Nicaragua, is my highly esteemed fellow-artist at Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery in New York City.
British Director Dominic Allan has made a long feature film about his-everything-but-common-life.
CALVET - redemption from darkness to fame. It will be released in 2011.
Saturday Jean Marc sent a message that the soundtrack of the film was online now.
Curious as I am for the movie, I immediately went to the website of Edith Progue, the micro-classical music composer of this soundtrack who lives and works in Paris.
I listened every track of 'CALVET'... Goose bumps! Especially Aelita. It made me even more curious to view the images which go with the music.
And I just had to discover the rest of Edith Progues music.

Curious too?
Check:
- http://jmcalvet.com/ and watch his paintings
- www.edithprogue.com and listen to his beautiful music
- http://jmcalvet.com/html/proyect.html, to see some pictures made during the production of the film.
- www.monkdogz.com
And of course, go see the film!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Engine of progress

The funny thing with my paintings is, that one often thinks that they are made very quickly.
I think this is because of the movements/dynamics in the painting. But actually it takes several days up to a week (to 2 weeks for a very large one), to create a new painting.
It's been build in lots of layers. When I'm not satisfied with the result of a layer, I have to remove it before it is dry.
It's not like with digital work where you can add or remove layers as much as you like, without damaging the rest of the work.
My latest work, 'Engine of progess', 120x100 cm/ 47x39 inch consists of 7 layers.
This is only a close up of a small detail of the painting.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The first one

A small detail of the first new painting I made in my new studio.
It's a large one. 






The machinery of life cycle, 170x110 cm/77x43 inch, which will be presented on the 29th edition of Lineart, the international fusion art fair in Gent, Belgium by Gallery ART-ist (Geel-Belgium). 
More info on this famous fair on www.lineart.be
I've already started a new one.... yeah!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The bitch is back!

Finally, everything has been installed in my new studio, except for the light (daylight lamps). But since there are large windows, it would only be a problem on dark clouded and rainy days. In a few weeks the lamp-problem will be solved.
Eager as I am, I've already been busy in the last few days creating my first painting in this new environment.
It's a delight to paint again!

Monday, August 30, 2010

A very nice Sunday at 'Très Chic'















Gallery ART-ist from Geel - Belgium, asked me to join them on the fair yesterday.
Despite the changeable weather it was really crowded  at 'Très Chic'.
Actually too crowded at some moments. But what a lovely audience! This resulted in some very nice conversations, funny and lovely comments on my work and after a long day I can say that it was more than successful!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Opening party for VIPs

 



Yesterday there was an opening party, only for VIPs (I found out that there actually are a lot of VIPs in this world...), at the life style event Très Chic, in the Herkenrode Abbey of Hasselt. Although it was raining, and part of this event is in open air (well, pavillion tents) it was crowded with beautiful and très chic people. The rich and famous arrived in Limousines, Porches, Rolls Royces, Jaguars and even by helicopter and Laurent-Perrier Champagne was poured generously. I observed all this, with eyes wide open, waiting for my brain to understand. (I'm still waiting...)

Anyway, if you want to visit this event, the opening hours are:
Friday Aug. 27, 17-23 hours
Saturday Aug. 28, 13-23 hours
Sunday Aug. 29, 13-21 hours
Monday Aug. 30, 13-21 hours 
more info: www.treschic.be

I'll be attending the exhibition on Sunday

Friday, August 20, 2010

TRÈS CHIC

Gallery ART-ist (Geel - Belgium) will present my art next week on the
TRÈS CHIC - Luxury Lifestyle Event in the Herkenrode Abbey in Hasselt-Kuringen, Belgium.
They've reserved a large part of their stand for my paintings.
You can visit this event on:


Friday August 27, 17-23 hours
Sat.    August 28, 13-23 hoursSun.   August 29, 13-21 hours
Mon.  August 30, 13-21 hours

Maybe we'll meet there!

More info: www.treschic.be and www.art-ist.be

Friday, August 06, 2010

Aaaahhh, it really itches

picture borrowed from http://www.ectomo.com/2008/06/25/scratching-the-itch/
   
I've got the urge to paint, but it really has to wait. There's no space, no rest, even no time.
Would I manage to save all the heebie-jeebies for a couple of weeks without exploding?
Or do I just have to let it pass?
Sorry.... just thinking out loud

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Pull up stakes

























Empty walls in my studio.
Lots of paintings, packed in bubble-plastic stacked against the walls.
Boxes filled with pots of paint and tools.

I loved painting overhere... I loved my place.
It was a great studio to work in, but now I've packed my stuff, it's no longer my place anymore.

Fortunately I've got a very nice studio to look forward too.
I just have to wait another month and a half before I can start to paint again in my new studio.
Well 'wait' is not exactly the right word... I'll be preparing the next move: pull up stakes to a new house!

Friday, July 16, 2010

AN INTERVIEW WITH ME ON FAD!












I feel honored to be interviewed by FAD!

I like the questions very much. They are fresh, with humour and completely different.
 
FAD is a London based art website covering contemporary art news, street art, video,design, etc. They cover new openings,art fairs from around the world and have extensive interviews with artists themselves. As well as news from the London scene they cover Berlin,Paris,New York and even the Asian market. It’s an eclectic mix of cool happening art stuff.

If you want to read they interview and all the other cool art stuff on FAD:
http://www.fadwebsite.com/category/art/

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

FOUND: a new location!!!

Everything has been arranged, finally!
We've found a new space to live and work.
It's only 18 km from my studio in Eersel!
Though it's not located in the Netherlands, but in Belgium!


















To be exact, it is located in Lommel, only 2,5 km on the other side of the border.
My studio space is not as enormous as in Eersel, but big enough and it feels good (which is the most important thing!), It looks good too!
As from September 15, it will be ready for me to start a new series of paintings!
By then I'll announce the exact address of course and my new telephone number.
My website-address stays the same (it's proven to be of service: dot eu), my email-address too, and one can call me on the current telephone number until further notice.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

What direction are we heading?

It was really awesome to see everyone going completely nuts when the Netherlands reached the finals of the FIFA championship yesterday. One big party on the streets and squares. Everyone was shouting, dancing and singing. Even for a long time after the game had ended.
I wish it could be like that more often. Seeing everyone so happy, feeling the positive energy and euphoria...
We could create wonders together...

I wish I could feel the same about the political situation in the Netherlands on the long term.
Though I think Geert Wilders is having a good time. He eagerly uses the fact that the CDA stands aloof and does not want to join in the negotiations on a cabinet of CDA, VVD and PVV. Now he can crawl into the underdog position.
I think it is a wise decision of the CDA, after loosing so many votes, not to have the arrogance to still want to govern.
It is best for them to go into opposition.
While I certainly am not in favor of Wilders ideas and the way he handles certain subjects, I do believe that he should participate in a new government, given the considerable profits of his party during the recent elections. 

He should not oppress, nor should he be oppressed.


Thus he can show what his party can or ... or just can not achieve.
By participating in the government, he might win support... or he will loose support.
Proclaiming something, is completely different from putting it into practice.
He started off on the wrong foot anyway. A day after the results of the elections, Wilders sacrificed a very important statement (which he absolutely was not going to drop, he promised before) in order to be able to participate in the government. Question mark, question mark.. exclamation mark, EXCLAMATION MARK!

At this moment he is more or less in the underdog position (which he partially provoked himself, slick as he is), which might have the opposite effect that his support will grow, purely on his remarks. This can be a dangerous development. If a new government (without his party) fails in the coming years, his party might grow tremendously without ever having proved that he's the one with the right solutions... or NOT!
I'm very glad that the Netherlands can not be ruled by only one party!

Everyone should face the truth that worldwide all races are mixing up, and we'd better join than fight eachother!

Creating fear is easy, overcoming it is much harder.

If we don't succeed to overcome fear, more contradictions, more radical leaders and more hate will be created. It's action and re-action.

We could learn from the sports. We can do it together. We've just got to believe in - and go for it!
No oppression but confrontation, communication, accepting losses, facing the truth and creating new opportunities.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Final!

Though extremely tempting... not my holiday destination














Well, my Open-Studio-Weekend in Eersel has finished. In despite of the tropical weather it has been more than succesful, and I'm feeling very thankful for that.
Next steps to take in July... finding a new studio, packing all my stuf and relocate!
I'll keep you posted. In the meantime I wish you a great summer!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Ready for the exhibition-weekend!


























Everything is ready for the open weekends in my studio
What I didn't know on beforehand is that tomorrow in the afternoon all the roads will be empty. It will be very quiet in the streets because a lot of Dutch people will be, covered in orange outfits, in front of the Television, watching the World Championship Soccer tournament.
The Netherlands will be playing against Japan.
But if you don't like it and don't want to watch the rain falling down all afternoon... you know where you can go.
Hope to meet you!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Relocation of my studio




















Suddenly I have such a tight schedule, that I'm slowly going nuts (as far as I ain't nuts already!).
I'm good at multi tasking, but I 've learned that I definitely am not a good juggler when it concerns 7 different things at the same time. All at once everything comes together:
  • The contract of my great studio-space ends in July. 
  • We're looking for a new space before the end of August, where we can both live and work (and realize new dreams). It's not easy to find what we have in mind on such short notice.
  • This means we have to pack and move everything from my studio AND worse.... all the stuff from our current house. Not to forget the organisational part concerning contracts, subscriptions, making a list of addresses etc...
  • At the same time I've got a lot of very important private proceedings to deal with.
But first:
  • I've got a final exhibition in my studio at the end of June


Pfjew..... I think I won't be bored
.... Wake me up when September ends.

Monday, June 07, 2010

Finissage solo exhibition




















Next sunday (June 13) is the last day of my (uptil now) very succesful solo exhibition at Gallery De Kei in Nuenen, the Netherlands.
Take your chance to visit it, before it ends!