rose detail

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

Sirens

Listening to the opera from Carnegie Hall. Yes, I am working here in America and spending two months in New England where there is lots of snow. This oil painting is from the Siren Series- the temptresses in the Old Testament. These are inspired by Wagnerian valkeries. Thanks for keeping up with this Blog.

Ben Day Dots and Roses

If you look closely, you will see Ben Day Dots in the background of this painting of Luxor Roses. I love the effect created by the dots and understand why Roy Lichtenstein used them. I now use the paper which was used to package flowers with other tissue papers to get an abstract background. really exciting to paint over. The lower painting is the same one. I decided to lighten it up and get more of a brilliant red rosiness. It will be going with me to America tomorrow. Hopefully the new owner will be happy with this cheerful painting.

The Dutch Card Players

I am going to have to do a lot of work tonight! These four friends have been "klaverjassing" for nearly 40 years every Friday night. Nothing comes in their way of fighting it out around our Van Gogh- Potato Eaters table. I am inspired by so many paintings of Pierre Bonnard. we will see if I progress. I have been painting on 5 paintings since 1994. One has been bought by Rob, the fellow with the beard. I keep making the rounds and they keep changing places. I try to get that special light and also the action and tension of the play. We go on until past midnight when they end with some rounds of poker.

Eros & Psyche III

Once again these roses have absolutely seduced me with their abundance and lushness. Eros & Psyche are nuzzling in the background. The play of oil paint over the dot papers on a pale blue background this time. I hope I can keep my hands off this one=an explosion of effusion and tenderness if I do say so myself.

Eros & Psyche III: Oil over paper on canvas

60 X 80 cm. unframed- 1,500 €

Isabel & Lucia

These two Spanish/Dutch sisters were a delight to talk with and capture in oil on panel. The sittings are two hours and afterwards I take a few weeks to weigh and measure if I have really gotten the spirit of the sitter. In the last 20 years I have made over a thousand of these vignettes. I never tire of the kick it gives me.

oil on panel
25X25 cm.
€ 500 in commission, framed

Eros & Psyche-Ode to Love

The second in the series- Eros & Psyche, the god and goddess of love. These Luxor roses are giving me their best. I take the big tube of red and then white and paint with them. of course I have prepared a "failed canvas" with the "Ben Dot" paper I am crazy about. I hope there is something to ask questions about here. I work to find a balance and a feeling of mystery. the best way to spend a dreary, dismal rainy day I can think of!

oil on canvas, covered by paper and painted again with oil
40 X 60 cm. €600 unframed