QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ART STUDENTS

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ART STUDENTS

  On a regular basis I receive mails from students all over the world, with questions on my work. Replying them cost me a lot of time. Since I do not want to disappoint anyone, I always do reply. But from now on, one can check this blogpost, which I will complement with new Q&A's every now and then.

1.   Q: How do you design your paintings?
A: My abstract paintings arise on the canvas layer by layer. No sketches! My figurative paintings are based on sketches and pictures.
2. Q: What tools do you use to get the different textures?
A: I use brushes, palette knives and my hands.
3. Q: How do you come with the names for your paintings?
A: They arise during creation of the painting.
4. Q: Why do you have features that are realistic and parts that are abstract?
A: For the simple reason that I like to create both!
5. Q. What paint do you use?
A: I use acrylics
6. Q: Do you also use a medium to make the paint thicker?
A: No, and don't use a medium.

7: Q: Can you post a video to show how you work?
A: No.

8. Q: What does art mean to you?

A: My life. I can't live without. It makes everything more beautiful, meaningful. And by creating it myself, I can express myself.

9. Q: When did you discover art?
A: I grew up with it. My father is an artist as well. It went playfully.
10. Q: According to you, are there any limits on art?
A: Yes and No! Yes, because some say something is art, when to me it is nothing more than putter-work. Yes, because some declare something to be a piece of art, which is totally incomprehensible to others. For example, a piece of rope, hanging down from the ceiling, amplified with some bullshit story. To me that is not art. NO (and now I am contradicting myself), because everything should be possible. If you observe the world the an open mind, there is so much more to discover! NO, because I myself, always say that there are no bounderies on my work, nor what it has to depict.

11. Q: Does your mood influence the work you are creating? Or is the other way around?
A: What's going on in my body and mind, I express with paint on canvas. It's not only my job, it works also therapeutical. I only get moody, if I can't manage to express it in the proper way. But most of the time that is not the case!

12. Q: Do you works come from a fantasy, or is it a copy of reality?
A. Both. The abstract works are no fantasy. It just arises, from the urge to express 'my reality' with paint on canvas. Next it is to the spectator, to use his/her imagination. The figurative works are fantasy, but partially based on reality.
13. Q: Do you experience fantasy as a kind of lust.
A: I do think so, yes.
14. Q: In the 60's art started to appear in tv-commercials. Do you think commercials are art? Do you think art can be used for commercials?
A: Commercials are no art, it is pure marketing. But it absolutely can be made very artfully!

15. Q: Do you think the value of art is always equal to the financial value it sometimes gets?
A: Absolutely not. Sometimes a piece of art is worth much more, than what someone wants to pay for it. But most of the time, it is the other way around. Works of old masters and a select group of contemporary artists often are sold, through auctions, for disproportionate high values. In my opinion they may be worth a lot, but the millions and billions that are now issued for this are completely insane.

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

  

 ´Muse Over Soon´ is finally ready. It took me many many hours, and lots of paint in many layers to create this painting. I've had moments that I wanted to give up. What I had in my head, did not arise on the canvas. The composition was good, but the execution was not satisfying to me. In common I have little patience. But my figurative paintings 'train me' to build more patience. 'Good' is not good enough. It needs to be perfect! And that takes a lot of perseverance, time and energy!

'FEBULOUS' FEBRUARY!!!

February has been a fabulous month for me.

I created a few great paintings and not only that... many paintings have found a new home in various countries. Which pleases me a lot!!! :D

Now there's the challenge to create new ones, in the Figurative series 'Perfect Imperfections' and 'Dynamic Abstracts', because I've got several exhibitions ahead of me!

Today the exhibition in 'Galerie In de Oude School' in Stroe, The Netherlands is opening!

It will last until April 27, so if you are in the neighborhood, go and take a look in this beautiful galerie, which once was a school. The old building looks great, has a lot of great walls and a very passionate gallery owner!

Galerie In de Oude School, Stroeërschoolweg 6, 3776 MN Stroe, The Netherlands

At work ...

Working on Black Shades, means standing many, many hours... a little relaxation every now and then is necessary!

Pictures of my paintings, made sideways

Detailed close up of  a painting under constructioin which is titled: 'Black Shades'. Made sideways!

I work with a lot of layers, and much, very much paint. That is one of the reasons, that my paintings are as attractive sideways, as right in front of them.

Currently I am working without colors... just black. But as you can see here (and this one is still under construction!!), it can be as powerful as with colors!

'Happy Vibes' sideways

UNDER COVER

Yesterday I finished a new painting 'Under Cover'.
It is completely in Black & White. The color you see in the right corner is from my palette.
This picture is taken from the side, so you can see the thickness of the paint.
The entire painting can be seen on my website.

A day at the Museum

Since the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, in April 2013, opened its doors again (after being closed due to restoration during 10 years!!!!!!) I wanted to visit it again.. But always there was a reason I could not go. No more excuses now, I just HAD to go!

So on an ordinary Thursday in January I went to the Rijksmuseum. I thought it would not be very crowded. Misconception... it was loaded! Especially at Rembrandt's 'Nachtwacht'. 



However, it is ABSOLUTELY worthwhile to visit this really beautiful museum!!! 
What a great collection of art!
One of the greatest museums I have visited uptil now.

Such a huge collection, really overwhelming. Tooo much to like. So I stopped taking pictures. However, this statue of wood of one of the Two Japanese Temple Guards (1300-1400) was fantastic:

And seeing 'Het Joodse bruidje' by Rembrandt in real life, was fantastic as well. I love his use of texture.

Only a few pieces of my favorites in between of many many more!

Goooood vibes!

At work in my studio...3 paintings...
 

I had a great day!

1... The sun was shining!
2... A lot of new canvases were delivered (linen on aluminium stretchers!)
3... I finished 1 of the 3 paintings I'm currently working on!
Titled: 'The Heat is On.
4... I had a great encounter with a lovely Chinese lady.
Set me thinking...
5... And I got an invitation to exhibit in Amsterdam in a great venue!!!

Mmmm... not bad at all!
 

The Heat is On, 100x150x4 cm | 39x59x1,5 inch

NO ROMANTICISM!!!! - understandable ignorance

On a regular basis I receive messages from people, asking me if I can give them advice about techniques, because they like my art, and want to achieve the same as I do.
Most of these people paint in their leisure time, and don't realize that I've been working for years, day in - day out, to get where I am now, to maintain that and to keep on growing and stay a few steps ahead of the ones who (try to) copy me.
They don't see the sacrifices I had to bring.

I am not complaining, because I LOVE to paint, and I would do it all over again...
But being an artist is not always as romantic as they think it is.

Also... one has no certainties. 

No regular deposit of salary every month.

They don't see what the economic crisis did to many artists, me included.

Of course, a lot of people can paint, or think they can paint (I will not discuss the quality) and there's a lot of talent in this world.
However, talent alone is not enough, and everything can be copied easily nowadays.

A true artist, develops his/her own style, immediately recognizable for spectators.
One needs vision and has to be prepared to live the life of an artist, which, I can assure you, is not always as romantic as one thinks it is!

So maybe the ones who paint in their spare time, should adjust their expectations, and continue what they do right now. Painting is wonderful and can set your mind free for a while!

Having said all that... for me this is the right path to follow, and it makes me happy.

I would have made 2 for that price!!

Can it get more insane? I guess it can. David Beckham commissioned Damien Hirst a painting for his 2 year old daughter Harper for € 720.000,00....

What a pity for David and Harper... I would have made 2 for that price!

;)

OPENING SOLO EXHIBITION @ POP-UP GALLERY

Sunday December 15 was the opening of my exhibition at Pop-Up Gallery, Kerkstraat 67 in Lommel, Belgium. A lot of people showed up and it was a great success. Also a lot of ART-bags were sold and ordered and the reactions were great!

1 Michelin * Art (wink, wink!)

Since about half a year, the clients of Eethuis Cuchara can enjoy my paintings, during their excellent diner night.

THAT excellent, that MICHELIN has decided to give the restaurant 1 Michelin *.

To me Cuchara is a taste adventure. The food is delicious and totally unexpected.
The compositions are extraordinary and the wine arrangement is perfect.
A lovely staff and a beautiful entourage makes your night out complete.

And yes I am proud that my art is, somehow, part of all this.

Congratulations to Jan Tournier, Master chef of Cuchara!!!

Check www.cuchara.be

GROUP SHOW IN NEW YORK CITY - Monkdogz Urban Art

Figurations and Abstractions

Working on a new figurative painting

Uptil now, the largest part of the paintings I created this year, were figurative ones. And from the beginning of April, it ONLY were figurative paintings for the series 'Show the Inside on the Outside'. 

But it started to itch... The creation of an abstract painting always gives me this feeling of freedom. With figuratives, I always have to remain within the framework. I love to make figuratives paintings though! That is why I decided to alternate more. So I recently finished a painting in the abstract series and currently I am working on a figurative one, while I already set up the subsurface for a new abstract work. 

OPENING solo exhibition @ Van Bellen Art - Sept. 8 - Oct. 20

It was a lovely Sunday with beautiful encounters, great reactions, sales and options @ Van  Bellen Art in Willemstad, The Netherlands. My solo exhibition shows 10 works from the
figurative series and 7 paintings from the abstract series. The largest part of the figurative
paintings is brand new.
I've been working very hard on these series during the past 5 months.
The main theme for me is to show the inside on the outside. Everyone carries his past with him, and the character one is born with. The image one has carefully build, hides the biggest part of the inner world. With my paintings and carefully chosen colors I create a sort of auras. The rest of the imagination is up to the viewer.
Check www.vanbellenart.nl for information on opening hours, address etc...

Preparing for SOLO exhibition Van Bellen Art in Willemstad, the Netherlands - Sept. 8 - Oct 20.

During the past 3 months I've been working like crazy to create new paintings for my solo exhibition at Van Bellen Art in Willemstad, which will get started on September 8.

To create a painting takes a lot of time, and I get impatient myself often.Some- times I wish that only by projecting my ideas on the canvas, the painting would appear. On the other side, it is amazing,every time again, when what I have in my head, really appears on canvas through my hands.

Now it is time for a holiday. I hope to meet some of you on the opening of my exhibition at Van Bellen Art. I wish you all a lovely summer!

Once more: Calvet - AND WATCH IT YOURSELF!!!!

I've been extremely busy lately, preparing for 2 solo shows later this year.
The first one already starts at the beginning of September, at Van Bellen Art, in Willemstad the Netherlands. So I am working my ass off!!!
I have to divide my precious time, and that's why I haven't been active on this blog.

Followers of my posts, have seen the blogposts I did on the movie/documentary on Jean Marc Calvet, my fellow artist and friend.
Finally the documentary came to Paris, as well as his solo exhibition.
Since I lived in Paris for a while, I still go there every year to visit my friends... and this time I combined it with the screening of the Calvet movie at the Majestic Bastille and the opening of his solo show at Galerie Mark Hachem on the beautiful Place des Vosges, in the presence of Jean Marc Calvet, Dominic Allan (the director) and Edith Progue (Soundtrack). 
All friends of me, and I am very proud of them.
Above and below some pictures...

 
BUT ALSO.... if you've become curious of the movie, check the link below, because you can watch the stunning documentary at home:

"CALVET Special Edition DVD - over 100 minutes of free extras & unseen footage
Clic BUY MOVIE - get DVD + Stream film online for free!
http://calvetmovie.com/

and or Download the Orginal Soundtrack:

Vernissage of my exhibition at Galerie Radeski in Liège

Last Friday it was the opening of my exhibition at Galerie Radeski.
 
A large number of my paintings, figuratives as well as abstracts, are presented on this show.

Not only my art is there, but also the wonderful AND colourful art of Abelardo Hernandez, Arthur Dorval and Eelco Maan, a.o.

I am very pleased to be working with Galerie Radeski, with their wonderful collection of artists.
 
It was a very nice evening, and I feel really overwhelmed by all the compliments, and it was SO nice to meet some of my art-collectors, 'old' art lovers, and new art lovers!!! Thanks!!!

The show runs until June 2.
Galerie Radeski, 69, Boulevard D'Avroy, 4000 Liège, Belgium, www.galerieradeski.be

INVITATION to my exhibition at Gallery Radeski

Recently I started working with Gallery Radeski, Boulevard D'Avroy, 69 in Liège, Belgium.

You are warmly invited to the OPENING of my exhibition on APRIL 19, from 18 - 21.00 hours, in this beautiful gallery, filled with art of top artists.

I will be attending the opening as well.

The exhibition will last until June 2.
For more information and opening hous check: http://www.galerieradeski.be/
(currently the website is under construction again)

Besides my abstract and figurative paintings, you can also admire the colourful works of Abelardo Hernandez and Anthony Dorval.

The older I get, the less I understand.

I have to throw this out:
 
WHY is the Western world maintaining the importance and power of a pope, while at the same time the Vatican probably is the most corrupt state in the world???
And it has been from time immemorial!

The Vatican is constructed by and on lies, intriges, blood money, secrets and sexual abuse....
It makes propaganda to reject gay sexuality, while in actual fact toooo many priests, bisshops, cardinals, and other species in the church assault each other and/or young innocent children!
It is SO afraid of women, that it has always suppressed them... and there is absolutely no question that a woman could be a priest.
Sinces centuries the Vatican tells us stories which are not true.
Jesus would turn over in his grave if he knew what we are told, from his name.

Since the number of believers is decreasing, I don't understand at all, why the media makes so much fuzz about the election of a new pope, nor what he is telling us.
Or is it, because the media don't have anything else to tell us?
Or..... do the media get PAYED by the Vatican to publish their rubbish??
??????

Rhythm-series.

I started a new series, Rhythm, and the first new painting in this series is called: 
Rhythm & Reds.
Yessss..... with a wink at 'Rhythm & Blues'.
On this picture, one can see, how I alternate the constructive phase, with the detailed phase, next again the constructive phase, before finally really ending with the detailed phase.
While using palette knives, brushes and fingers, I build and sculpt my paintings.

The image of the final painting, you can find on my website, or on my FB page.

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.