Born: 1957
Hometown: The Hague
Based in: The Hague and Gorssel
Born 1957 The Hague, The Netherlands.
Autodidact
Professional artist since 1993
Numerous exhibitions in leading Dutch galleries, as well as in galleries in the United Kingdom (London, Oxford, Newcastle, Worchester), Ireland, Denmark, Austria and France.
My paintings have frequently been shown at International art fairs.
Artist statement
I have been inspired by the landscape for years. Patterns, lines, rhythm, surfaces and colours, a line of trees along the road or lonely tree in a field. The countryside is my greatest source of inspiration. And of course, the horizon and the spectacle above.
It is evident that I do not use a linear perspective in my paintings as standard. Sometimes I do, but often I use a bird's eye view or a flat representation of the space. But these ways of looking are usually combined to create my paintings. This alters the sense of details; in this respect, I feel a lot of kinship with naive painters. I have to say that I am completely opportunistic in this, ultimately the character and composition of the painting are what matters.
After always having worked in my studio in the city, I have immersed himself in the landscape of the Dutch countryside of Achterhoek and the IJssel in recent years. This has had much influence on my landscape imagination, but my way of composing his landscapes has not changed.
Painting techniques:
On the canvas I apply underpaint in approximately 5 to 6 layers, in such a way that a nice structure of brush strokes is created. It is quite time-consuming but adds a lot to the painting in terms of atmosphere. The painting itself is done with oil paint mixed with Liquin and a little Cold Wax Medium.
I paint with fairly large flat brushes, for the details I use the back of a brush, cotton swabs, kitchen paper, everything that is suitable to get the right l mark-making, lines and shapes. The use of beeswax is an advantage here, the paint is a bit thicker and this works much easier.
The Titles
All the titles I use are lines (or parts of lines) from song lyrics. Mostly from pop music, sometimes a title of a jazz song. There are so many references to the landscape to be found, (and the sky, the weather, the time of day, the time of year, and so on), which I thankfully use.
Usually I give the title to the painting when it is finished, browsing through my collection of songlines and selecting the most appropriate one. But sometimes I make a painting with a particular songline in mind.
Working from this concept is inspired the novel “The Songlines”, by Bruce Chatwin.
Some titles that I like very much: “A hilltop paved with gold”, “Through fields all wet with rain”, “Caught in a sudden shower”, “The birds fly south across the autumn sky”.
What inspires you?
I am particular interested in the colors, rhythms, patterns and textures in the landscape. When making my paintings I use all these elements to create a composition; it is a landscape painting, but made up, it not an actual place. Another inspiring theme is the element of space in the landscape, and all the ways to deal with this.
Describe your creative process.
Being very critical and forgiving to my work at the same time, the whole process is all about the pleasure of painting. Working wet-in-wet, once started the painting has to be finished. This can be very hard work, forcing me to always try my best. Sometimes it is more than a challenge , but in the end very rewarding
What are 3 words that best describe your work?
Colour, atmosphere, details
Who are some artists that have influenced your work?
Vermeer, Van Gogh, Hockney, and many more.
What is the most important tool when creating your work?
Apart from brushes, I can't do without q-tips and a sharp wooden stick to draw in the wet paint.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Keep it simple
Where do you go for inspiration?
To my county-side studio... and to my imagination.
1 Collection