Luxor Roses Revisited

I hope you won't say= "humph. I've seen this one before!" you have NOT. You have seen the under layer. Today it was raining. Yesterday I had started a study of 4 water lilies which had caught my attention. Beautiful soft salmon colors on deep moss green reflections in the water. I was an hour into the painting and the dark clouds let loose. Packed it in and hoped for today.
In the evening three people came and bought two water lily plants. JUST the two I was painting! I wanted to place a ban, but it is Herman's business and I am fortunate to be able to paint here.
Today I was amazed at the particular arrangement of my favorite roses= Luxors. They had been tempting me for several days. there was a canvas=one of my papered-over ones, hanging in the work shop. The composition had been bothering me for some time. Psyche and Eros are enjoying their place on the canvas. They belong to these roses I think.
Here it is with today's new layer. Am I satisfied? I never know until after some time.
What do you think?

wind in the water

It gets really exciting when wind is ruffing up the waters. Here in Holland that happens quite often. a glaring hot sun and little waves reflecting the sky. The James Brydons are looking more and more like cups of liquid gold. Chalices of pure intoxication for insects. It is a carnivorous water lily without the petals closing around the prey. Insects drown in the sticky liquid inside. so, what happens in a water lily pond is not all sweetness. Life and death.

Morning by the Red Lilies

Sometimes things happen for the best. I had just set this painting up. Those warm rust-orange reflections of dead Crocosmia Lucifer leaves reflected in the basin setting off the deep pinks and reds of the James Brydons. and then the bright yellows of water lily leaves hit by morning sun light. wow! you die for such a day. what a symphony. I was enjoying some "calligraphy"- freely drawing with a fine marter hair brush in deep blue. actually that came from Bill Schultz' lessons in the 1960's, Pittsfield, Ma. Draw and then go back to forms of colors. well, I was having a grand time and a voice behind me said,"better leave it alone now". He was a stranger on a walk with his wife and he knows the problem of when to stop very well. Hans Visser from Rijswijk is also a painter. he was the man with the hammer. It takes two to make a successful painting= the one doing it and someone standing behind with a hammer who hits you over the head when HE thinks you have said what you wanted to.
And now keep my hands off and let it sink in. I am enjoying looking at all the passages, but, knowing me and a certain perfectionism, everything can change.

Cool Waters

When it is really warm here in Holland which is not too frequently, I like to sit by the waterlily ponds and paint in hot colors and strong contrasts. Luckily there is often a cooling breeze making the project all the more pleasurable. Lots happens in the water= interesting ripples, ripening pods trying to reach up to the light, surprising reflections. I have chosen again to sacrifice a painting I thought did not quite meet up to standards. Painted over it. I am happier with this result. Thanks for looking.

Victoria

Back from 9 weeks in the Hilltowns of Massachusetts. I started a series of my squares, conversations in oil paint on panel, including this one of Victoria Ahrensdorf, teacher and practioner of Felderkrais Therapy in Northampton, Ma. Both her work and her presence inspired and helped me. Thanks, Victoria.

Next Blog

It isn't that I am not painting. I am furiously working on a portrait project in Cummington, Ma. USA. More about that after I am back in Holland, july 14. Thanks for keeping up with me!

Roses galore

We are still building up to Pinksterday weekend back home in Holland. Herman will have Roses and Waterlily paintings on display. Of course the grounds and waterlilies are blooming in full glory.
We are not officially part of the Kunst Route as I will still be here in America starting up a portrait project. I am painting people who have made a major contribution to the culture of this small Hilltown village, Cummington,Massachusetts. Exciting.
Please come visit the Nymphaea Waterlelie Eiland, Voorweg 22 in Noorden, Z.Holland. You can call Herman as he loves to talk on the phone= 031(0)172-408376.