Enough Roses? Come see!

Early this morning Hanneke arrived with these gorgeous dark red roses. I am thankful.
Do I ever have enough? No. every rose is unique and they inspire me to get out the paint and give it a go. Anyone wanting to visit my special Rose Garden over Easter week end and Monday is very welcome. also Herman's water lily gardens are something to see even though they won't be flowering until early June.

OPEN HOUSE

A piece of my living room which is a perfectly lit studio. I am working very hard on these gorgeous Luxor roses. And a portrait once in awhile.
This Easter weekend we are spontaneously having an OPEN HOUSE! no advertising. just a sign on the bridge saying "COME ON IN!" I would love to have someone chat with me for an hour or so while I paint their portrait. I will see who shows up first.
Please drop in. the water lilies are just pushing their deep red leaves above the water and the calla lilies are exquisite. EVERYONE IS WELCOME! HAPPY EASTER!

Portrait for Hospice wall

Another fast portrait of a willing volunteer for the local Hospice house. Some years ago the direction asked me to make portraits of the volunteer workers to place on a wall in the reception room. When families come to look at the possibilities of placing a dear one in Hospice care, they look at the faces of people who will be doing the care work. It seems to have a very positive effect because I am still painting portraits when asked. I love to do this work as I have also done the volunteer care. Now I do what I love best as my contribution.
These 25 cm. square portraits in oil are my trademark so to speak. Hope you like it. I also do them in commission.

Black Vase-1st layer oil paint

After I see a composition in the paper layer shown in the last post, I begin with the subject, searching the colors and forms in paint directly out of the tube. Some softening with brushes where the paint is really too thick is required. The duo Psyche and Eros, the mythological symbols of eternal love in this series take their places.
This painting has been hanging for several days to settle while I just look at it. I feel where I want to change colors, but will leave the exploding roses as they are. satisfied with their joyful expression.
I hope you are enjoying the process I go through.

First Stage in the Black vase

It gives me great pleasure to paste over portraits I no longer want to look at, in this case a Man in Blue from 5 years ago. It will now go further into the Rose Series. Still have the Ben Dot paper, thank heavens,and some other interesting ones to play with to develop the composition. Actually this one was fine in this stage. But I know it will change in light, which is also interesting if I want to wait. No, my itchy fingers got going with oil paint. more tomorrow. thanks for watching the changes.

my garden

My garden is this far= blooming calla lilies. we are experiencing a very early spring with summer-like weather. I painted this "romantic pair" a few years ago and still find it's exuberance symbolic of the exploding calla lilies and their nearly tropical leaves. Every year joy at the winter's disappearance and the beginning of a flowering season.

Painting:  90 cm. square, oil on linen, 850 €
               

rose detail

Back from 2 months bitter winter in the Hilltowns of Massachusetts. loved it. now hooked on the roses in Holland again.