Yesterday Annelies Peet picked up this portrait of her father Gerrit, one of my Men in Blue portraits.
In this case the blue fits him very well as his life was spent flying and teaching for KLM. These portraits of which I have made 27 in the last eight years are 60 X 80 cm. in size. A difficulty factor is keeping the background pure virgin canvas and letting the painted image grow out of it.

This painting in Mixed-Media was painted for the Maria exhibit. I was inspired by a beautiful small painting by Rembrandt in the Maurits Huis Museum in the Hague entitled "Suzanna and the Elders". In this case Maria-Suzanna is not so sure she really would like the announcement made by the dove. The background was inspired by a Courbet landscapre. I love taking ideas of others and incorporating them in a new painting.

We continue to have exquiste cloud displays here. If I am quick enough, I can get a good sketch and the feeling of that fleeting movement in the sky.

Wil Kokelaar, a reputable photographer, took this shot at the opening of the exhibition, "Maria", at the STA-ART Galerie in Alphen a/d Rijn, the Netherlands. "The Holy Family" is my family story. Joy is the mother of 11 month old Cooper Thomas Johns. Her children, Anwyn and Drew watch over their caring mother as well as the 16 goats which also live on the Land. Craig, my son views this in awe.

A much-loved grey day today. These Ranonkels were profuse this spring. Now a reminder.

"Maria M."

I saw a photo of a woman with a mysterious expression. I didn't try to copy the photo. I was inspired by it to make this mixed-media portrait which made me think of Mary Magdelena. This painting also hangs in the exhibit "Groeten van Maria", STA-ART Galerie, Alphen a/d Rijn.

finally-the Maria Exhibit!

Fifteen artists have put together an amazing exhbit in the Sta-Art Gallery, Alphen a/d Rijn, here in the Netherlands. Tomorrow we will have an "inspiration evening" to discuss our motivations and where our ideas took us. The show opens Friday evening and runs until 18 August. This final version of "The Holy Family" has undergone some minuut changes which seem to make it richer in a sense. Maybe you can see them?