Pinksterdagen and Carneas

It will be Pinkster weekend in the Netherlands. Lots of people biking through Noorden. They will be missing the chance to see these beautiful Carneas if they don't stop at number 22 on the Voorweg. Herman keeps the same price he asked 25 years ago for these adult plants ready to grace your pools and waterways. My paintings are there too to grace your walls. If you are in Cummington, Ma.,USA, I will be painting my usual small intimate portraits.

James Brydons

Herman told me today that these gorgeous James Brydons probably will be blooming in two weeks if the warm Dutch weather continues. Come and enjoy them. For some of you that could involve flights to Amsterdam. Why not? Just as lovely as the tulips at The Keukenhof although a miniature version.

This painting is about 6 years old. 100 x 125 cm. in oil paint on canvas.
3,000 euros including one of Herman's wide frames.

Herman in the garden

This is what a visit to a Vincent van Gogh exhibit in Musée d'Orsay did to me! not sure I am finished. This impression of Herman in the garden is the result of studying van Gogh again. He never leaves me with his delicate forceful strokes full of energy and joy of living. The exhibit was about how society pushed van Gogh over the edge. There have been many books written about this "poor" man. If you spend time really looking at his work, you might understand in a small way his absolute passion. If you can find that in your life, you are lucky.
In Paris there is a statue of General Charles de Gaulle. Perhaps there are more of this statue in several places. I recently saw one in the 16th Arondissement, placed on a small square full of flowers and spring-green trees. It is a modern bronze where De Gaulle is making a momentous gesture like the man in the back of my painting. In my painting this man, however, is directing traffic in Noorden.

Please make comments so I can learn from you. Thank you.

VVG in Paris

Paint by Number was developed and marketed in 1951 by Max S. Klein. 12 million kits have since been sold. Just to think about all the people these nifty kits gave pleasure to and maybe a beginning to a never-ending hobby or career.
When I entered the hotel room on the 5th floor of Hotel Jean Bart in Paris, I caught my breath. Over my bed was this number painting of Van Gogh's irises= totally different from the real Van Gogh and full of life and ingenuity in it's own way. This was modern art before it got snobby. Anyone could paint it and hang it.
During the three days I spent in that ever-incredible city the exhibition of Van Goghs in Musée D'Orsay was a high point. Many freshly restored canvases from particular collections with an unusual approach by Antoine Artaud. I really liked the wall color which always makes a difference. So, get your tickets Online and take a trip to the city of light.

Got your eggs in?

Maybe you have collected all your eggs and are looking for another path today? we are OPEN from 13 until 17 hours=Voorweg 22, Noorden. a beautiful day for a walk around our island.
Happy Easter.

Herman and his beauties

Herman and I will be here all weekend including Easter Monday. Open gardens and studio from 1 until 5 p.m. wander in, wander out. Please comment on the rose paintings I am doing and any other which stirs your attention. Nearly everything is for sale. Please don't be disappointed at not seeing these gorgeous Carnea water lilies. They will be showing themselves at the beginning of June. Much more to see and talk about. very informal. hope to see you.

In the Living Room-Tim

Tim lives in Plainfield, Ma., USA. I hope to surprise him with this 25 x 25 cm. oil on panel study when I return in May. Next to him is a greeting card size oil on paper on carton of my favorite mythological figures of eternal love= Psyche and Eros in a starry night. I make a lot of these small studies and also put them into the large red rose paintings.
Hope you enjoy these. I have painted over 1500 of these studies, never wanting them to be more "photographic". It is about the life in the paint which expresses the life of the sitter. Hopefully someone will pop up here during the Easter weekend and be willing to sit with me for about 1 1/2 hrs. for a "Portrait Conversation". No strings attached=just the joy of the talking together while I send strokes of paint to the 25 cm. square surface. Surprise me, please.