Monday, February 23, 2015

MY ART IN GERMANY




I am very proud to announce that from now on my art is represented by Metropolitan Gallery & Gregs Gallery in Hamburg HafenCity and Timmendorfer Strand - Germany.





Metropolitan Gallery & Greg's Gallery in Hamburg HafenCity recently opened its doors, with a grand opening show of the breathtaking art of Lita Cabellut. The galleries are situated next to eachother in the heart of Hamburgs thriving HafenCity. Although it might feel like entering a museum, of course entrance is free and you are warmly welcomed by Greg and his wonderful team. No pressure to buy, feel free to enter and enjoy the awesome collection of art! In the gallery in Timmerdorfer Strand (situated at the East Sea or Baltic Sea) you can find a diversity of great art as well, and the philosophy is the same as in Hamburg.





Metropolitan Gallery & Gregs Gallery - Am Sandtorpark 2 - 20457 Hamburg - Germany.
Greg's Gallery - Bergstrasse 79 - 23669 Timmendorfer Strand - Germany.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

NEW SERIES

I am working very hard on a new series of paintings. I can't show any new results right now, because I am saving them for the upcoming solo exhibition at Galerie De Kei in Nuenen, The Netherlands which will take place from March 8 until April 13. However, a few very detailed close-ups won't do any harm. Furthermore I am very busy with several paintings on commission. So no time to lose! :)

Thursday, January 01, 2015

New Year - New Beginnings

A very healthy, good, successful and filled-with-lots-of-laughter 2015!!!!  

 

I am very pleased to announce that both auctions for a good cause were successful! The Art-print which was auctioned for 3FM Serious Request raised €775,00, which really is much more than I could have imagined! The portret on commission for Linda.Foundation made €1700. Not as much as the usual price, but nevertheless a lot of money. I am really happy to have been able to help other people this way. Thanks to the people who made the biddings and thank-you-so-much to the people who made the highest bids.

Friday, December 19, 2014

RAISING MONEY FOR A GOOD CAUSE

2014 has been a great year to me. 

That's why I want to give something back to the world. 

I offered an Art Print for auction to 3FM Serious Request. They raise money for girls and women who have been sexually abused all over the world. You can still bid on it for 2 more days!

3FM VEILING / AUCTION LINK >


And you can bid on a portret of you (your beloved one or an idol) made by me on LINDA.Foundation, which supports poor children in The Netherlands.
LINDA FOUNDATION VEILING / AUCTION LINK > 

Friday, December 12, 2014

MY ART at EXCELLENT FAIR, Ahoy, Rotterdam

From Friday December 12, until Monday December 15 my art is represented by Galerie De Kei on the ART SQUARE of Excellent Fair, Rotterdam. A large number of high quality galleries represents their art on this luxurious lifestyle fair of more than 20.000 m2 in Ahoy Rotterdam. For more info check HERE

Friday, December 05, 2014

Sold Out!























In less than 2 weeks, only 100 pieces numbered and signed by Anouk and me, completely sold out. I received a lot of lovely reactions! THANKS a lot to everyone!!

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Video on my paintings by Gilbert Roque

 

Thank you very much Gilbert Roque of My Creative Side for this video of my figurative paintings of the 'Perfect Imperfections' series! Text by Adele Tilouine. And I am proud that the images of my work are accompanied by the music of my dear friend Edith Progue



Monday, November 24, 2014

MY WORK AT GALLERY238 IN AMSTERDAM


Following to the release of the 9th album 'Anouk - Paradise And Back Again' (I painted the cover), upward of November 22 a selection of my paintings will be exhibited and for sale at Gallery 238, Brouwersgracht 238, 1013 HE in Amsterdam
www.gallery238.com



Gallery238 focuses on modern Western and Chinese Arts. Top art. Especially original works (in this time of copy-page, copy page, copy-page .....). Many of the artists Gallery238 represents, are artists they have been cooperating with since a long time: Lita Cabellut, Zhuang Hong Yi, Cole Morgan, Kantcho Kanev, Gerriet Postma, Susan Schildkamp, Toyin Loye, Ivo Nijs and Lu Luo, but also younger (Chinese) artists are brought by Gallery238. In addition, the gallery also features different (original) work by Cobra artists such as Karel Appel, Corneille, Constant, Eugene Brands and Allechinsky. Also the gallery can rely on the collaboration of several (inter)national topgalleries.
 

Opening hours:
Thursday until Saturday: 12.30-17.30
hours
Sunday: 13-18.00 hours

Friday, November 21, 2014

ANOUK AND ESTHER LAUNCH LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT






















An example of the (not signed here) Fine Art Print 70x100 cm

Collectors Item - Exclusive Fine Art Print  - 100 pieces only!!!
I am proud to announce the launch of a numbered and signed Fine Art Print in unique collaboration with the famous dutch singer songwriter Anouk.
Signed by both artists in an exclusive series of only 100 pieces.
Printed with high-quality ink on special paper. (more technical info can be found on the order page)
The print is an image of the entire painting which is used for the cover of Anouk's new album 'Paradise And Back Again'.
ONLINE SALES start SATURDAY November 22 09.00 hours (CET).
From that moment on you can order HERE

 

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

MY ART NOW ALSO REPRESENTED BY CREUTZBERG | VAN DUN GALLERIES


Recently my art has been added to the art collection of Creutzberg | Van Dun Galleries in Oisterwijk, The Netherlands.

Besides their stunning art (to view and for sale of course) the gallery itself is worthwhile visiting. Housed in a nineteenth-century national monument of more than 600 m2, an international selection of top artists is shown. After a welcome in the bar of the gallery with a cup of coffee, tea or anything else to drink, you can next view the sculptures, the vast collection of paintings, photographs and (glass) and take a little walk through the garden with sculptures or look further into the work of the artists at the reading table of the gallery.

The opening hours of the gallery are Wednesday until Sunday 12.00-18.00 hours
Address: The Lind 39-41, Oisterwijk, The Netherlands
http://galleries-cd.com

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

NOT IN MY WILDEST DREAMS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
My art on a concert poster!
Not in my wildest day dreams did this idea ever occur.
But now it is for real!
+...
*On the cover of Anouk's new (9th) album 'Paradise And Back Again'
*On the cover of Entertainment Business Magazine.
*In several news papers.
*On hundreds of websites and blogs....

Just WOW......

Saturday, August 30, 2014

PAINTING FOR ANOUK!!

 

At the beginning of March this year, the manager of Anouk (THE rock star of the Netherlands who is also very well known internationally) approached me, to ask me if I was interested in painting a portrait of Anouk. This painting would become the cover of her new album, a huge honor! It was both a challenge and a FANTASTIC assignment! When I showed Anouk the result, she immediately loved it, which made me extremely happy! The album was scheduled to be released in November, so I had to keep my mouth firmly shut!!

But now it is out in the open! Last Wednesday, Anouk herself revealed the cover on her Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The international media immediately spread the news. I am completely overwhelmed by the wonderful reactions that Anouk, as well as I, have been receiving ever since. About half of the original painting (90x150x4 cm) is shown on the cover. A special scan of the artwork will be made, which will be available as a Limited Edition Fine Art Print in 2 sizes. As soon as I receive the prices, I will announce this, so you can pre-order if you are interested!.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

LARRRGE ABSTRACT PAINTINGS




I am working on several very large abstract paintings. It's a challenge to create large size paintings in my recognizable style. I have to adapt the movements, to achieve the same result. It's really fun and I will continue to expand the new MONUMENTAL-series

Saturday, April 05, 2014

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ART STUDENTS

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ART STUDENTS

  On a regular basis I receive mails from students all over the world, with questions on my work. Replying them cost me a lot of time. Since I do not want to disappoint anyone, I always do reply. But from now on, one can check this blogpost, which I will complement with new Q&A's every now and then.

1.   Q: How do you design your paintings?
A: My abstract paintings arise on the canvas layer by layer. No sketches! My figurative paintings are based on sketches and pictures.
2. Q: What tools do you use to get the different textures?
A: I use brushes, palette knives and my hands.
3. Q: How do you come with the names for your paintings?
A: They arise during creation of the painting.
4. Q: Why do you have features that are realistic and parts that are abstract?
A: For the simple reason that I like to create both!
5. Q. What paint do you use?
A: I use acrylics
6. Q: Do you also use a medium to make the paint thicker?
A: No, and don't use a medium.

7: Q: Can you post a video to show how you work?
A: No.

8. Q: What does art mean to you?

A: My life. I can't live without. It makes everything more beautiful, meaningful. And by creating it myself, I can express myself.

9. Q: When did you discover art?
A: I grew up with it. My father is an artist as well. It went playfully.
10. Q: According to you, are there any limits on art?
A: Yes and No! Yes, because some say something is art, when to me it is nothing more than putter-work. Yes, because some declare something to be a piece of art, which is totally incomprehensible to others. For example, a piece of rope, hanging down from the ceiling, amplified with some bullshit story. To me that is not art. NO (and now I am contradicting myself), because everything should be possible. If you observe the world the an open mind, there is so much more to discover! NO, because I myself, always say that there are no bounderies on my work, nor what it has to depict.

11. Q: Does your mood influence the work you are creating? Or is the other way around?
A: What's going on in my body and mind, I express with paint on canvas. It's not only my job, it works also therapeutical. I only get moody, if I can't manage to express it in the proper way. But most of the time that is not the case!

12. Q: Do you works come from a fantasy, or is it a copy of reality?
A. Both. The abstract works are no fantasy. It just arises, from the urge to express 'my reality' with paint on canvas. Next it is to the spectator, to use his/her imagination. The figurative works are fantasy, but partially based on reality.
13. Q: Do you experience fantasy as a kind of lust.
A: I do think so, yes.
14. Q: In the 60's art started to appear in tv-commercials. Do you think commercials are art? Do you think art can be used for commercials?
A: Commercials are no art, it is pure marketing. But it absolutely can be made very artfully!

15. Q: Do you think the value of art is always equal to the financial value it sometimes gets?
A: Absolutely not. Sometimes a piece of art is worth much more, than what someone wants to pay for it. But most of the time, it is the other way around. Works of old masters and a select group of contemporary artists often are sold, through auctions, for disproportionate high values. In my opinion they may be worth a lot, but the millions and billions that are now issued for this are completely insane.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE


  

 ´Muse Over Soon´ is finally ready. It took me many many hours, and lots of paint in many layers to create this painting. I've had moments that I wanted to give up. What I had in my head, did not arise on the canvas. The composition was good, but the execution was not satisfying to me. In common I have little patience. But my figurative paintings 'train me' to build more patience. 'Good' is not good enough. It needs to be perfect! And that takes a lot of perseverance, time and energy!

Sunday, March 02, 2014

'FEBULOUS' FEBRUARY!!!


February has been a fabulous month for me.
I created a few great paintings and not only that... many paintings have found a new home in various countries. Which pleases me a lot!!! :D

Now there's the challenge to create new ones, in the Figurative series 'Perfect Imperfections' and 'Dynamic Abstracts', because I've got several exhibitions ahead of me!
Today the exhibition in 'Galerie In de Oude School' in Stroe, The Netherlands is opening!
It will last until April 27, so if you are in the neighborhood, go and take a look in this beautiful galerie, which once was a school. The old building looks great, has a lot of great walls and a very passionate gallery owner!

Galerie In de Oude School, Stroeërschoolweg 6, 3776 MN Stroe, The Netherlands

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

At work ...

Working on Black Shades, means standing many, many hours... a little relaxation every now and then is necessary!

Monday, February 03, 2014

Pictures of my paintings, made sideways

Detailed close up of  a painting under constructioin which is titled: 'Black Shades'. Made sideways!

I work with a lot of layers, and much, very much paint. That is one of the reasons, that my paintings are as attractive sideways, as right in front of them.

Currently I am working without colors... just black. But as you can see here (and this one is still under construction!!), it can be as powerful as with colors!




'Happy Vibes' sideways

Saturday, February 01, 2014

UNDER COVER



Yesterday I finished a new painting 'Under Cover'.
It is completely in Black & White. The color you see in the right corner is from my palette.
This picture is taken from the side, so you can see the thickness of the paint.
The entire painting can be seen on my website.


Friday, January 31, 2014

A day at the Museum

Since the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, in April 2013, opened its doors again (after being closed due to restoration during 10 years!!!!!!) I wanted to visit it again.. But always there was a reason I could not go. No more excuses now, I just HAD to go!

So on an ordinary Thursday in January I went to the Rijksmuseum. I thought it would not be very crowded. Misconception... it was loaded! Especially at Rembrandt's 'Nachtwacht'. 



However, it is ABSOLUTELY worthwhile to visit this really beautiful museum!!! 
What a great collection of art!
One of the greatest museums I have visited uptil now.

Such a huge collection, really overwhelming. Tooo much to like. So I stopped taking pictures. However, this statue of wood of one of the Two Japanese Temple Guards (1300-1400) was fantastic:



















And seeing 'Het Joodse bruidje' by Rembrandt in real life, was fantastic as well. I love his use of texture.















Only a few pieces of my favorites in between of many many more!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Goooood vibes!


At work in my studio...3 paintings...
 

I had a great day!

1... The sun was shining!
2... A lot of new canvases were delivered (linen on aluminium stretchers!)
3... I finished 1 of the 3 paintings I'm currently working on!
Titled: 'The Heat is On.
4... I had a great encounter with a lovely Chinese lady.
Set me thinking...
5... And I got an invitation to exhibit in Amsterdam in a great venue!!!

Mmmm... not bad at all!
 
The Heat is On, 100x150x4 cm | 39x59x1,5 inch

Thursday, January 16, 2014

NO ROMANTICISM!!!! - understandable ignorance

On a regular basis I receive messages from people, asking me if I can give them advice about techniques, because they like my art, and want to achieve the same as I do.
Most of these people paint in their leisure time, and don't realize that I've been working for years, day in - day out, to get where I am now, to maintain that and to keep on growing and stay a few steps ahead of the ones who (try to) copy me.
They don't see the sacrifices I had to bring.
I am not complaining, because I LOVE to paint, and I would do it all over again...
But being an artist is not always as romantic as they think it is.
Also... one has no certainties. 
No regular deposit of salary every month.
They don't see what the economic crisis did to many artists, me included.

Of course, a lot of people can paint, or think they can paint (I will not discuss the quality) and there's a lot of talent in this world.
However, talent alone is not enough, and everything can be copied easily nowadays.
A true artist, develops his/her own style, immediately recognizable for spectators.
One needs vision and has to be prepared to live the life of an artist, which, I can assure you, is not always as romantic as one thinks it is!

So maybe the ones who paint in their spare time, should adjust their expectations, and continue what they do right now. Painting is wonderful and can set your mind free for a while!

Having said all that... for me this is the right path to follow, and it makes me happy.

Monday, January 13, 2014

I would have made 2 for that price!!

Can it get more insane? I guess it can. David Beckham commissioned Damien Hirst a painting for his 2 year old daughter Harper for € 720.000,00....

What a pity for David and Harper... I would have made 2 for that price!

;)

Friday, December 20, 2013

OPENING SOLO EXHIBITION @ POP-UP GALLERY

Sunday December 15 was the opening of my exhibition at Pop-Up Gallery, Kerkstraat 67 in Lommel, Belgium. A lot of people showed up and it was a great success. Also a lot of ART-bags were sold and ordered and the reactions were great!


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

1 Michelin * Art (wink, wink!)


Since about half a year, the clients of Eethuis Cuchara can enjoy my paintings, during their excellent diner night.

THAT excellent, that MICHELIN has decided to give the restaurant 1 Michelin *.

To me Cuchara is a taste adventure. The food is delicious and totally unexpected.
The compositions are extraordinary and the wine arrangement is perfect.
A lovely staff and a beautiful entourage makes your night out complete.

And yes I am proud that my art is, somehow, part of all this.

Congratulations to Jan Tournier, Master chef of Cuchara!!!

Check www.cuchara.be

Friday, September 27, 2013

Figurations and Abstractions


Working on a new figurative painting

Uptil now, the largest part of the paintings I created this year, were figurative ones. And from the beginning of April, it ONLY were figurative paintings for the series 'Show the Inside on the Outside'. 

But it started to itch... The creation of an abstract painting always gives me this feeling of freedom. With figuratives, I always have to remain within the framework. I love to make figuratives paintings though! That is why I decided to alternate more. So I recently finished a painting in the abstract series and currently I am working on a figurative one, while I already set up the subsurface for a new abstract work. 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

OPENING solo exhibition @ Van Bellen Art - Sept. 8 - Oct. 20

It was a lovely Sunday with beautiful encounters, great reactions, sales and options @ Van  Bellen Art in Willemstad, The Netherlands. My solo exhibition shows 10 works from the
figurative series and 7 paintings from the abstract series. The largest part of the figurative
paintings is brand new.
I've been working very hard on these series during the past 5 months.
The main theme for me is to show the inside on the outside. Everyone carries his past with him, and the character one is born with. The image one has carefully build, hides the biggest part of the inner world. With my paintings and carefully chosen colors I create a sort of auras. The rest of the imagination is up to the viewer.
Check www.vanbellenart.nl for information on opening hours, address etc...

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Preparing for SOLO exhibition Van Bellen Art in Willemstad, the Netherlands - Sept. 8 - Oct 20.

During the past 3 months I've been working like crazy to create new paintings for my solo exhibition at Van Bellen Art in Willemstad, which will get started on September 8.

To create a painting takes a lot of time, and I get impatient myself often.Some- times I wish that only by projecting my ideas on the canvas, the painting would appear. On the other side, it is amazing,every time again, when what I have in my head, really appears on canvas through my hands.

Now it is time for a holiday. I hope to meet some of you on the opening of my exhibition at Van Bellen Art. I wish you all a lovely summer!

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Once more: Calvet - AND WATCH IT YOURSELF!!!!


I've been extremely busy lately, preparing for 2 solo shows later this year.
The first one already starts at the beginning of September, at Van Bellen Art, in Willemstad the Netherlands. So I am working my ass off!!!
I have to divide my precious time, and that's why I haven't been active on this blog.

Followers of my posts, have seen the blogposts I did on the movie/documentary on Jean Marc Calvet, my fellow artist and friend.
Finally the documentary came to Paris, as well as his solo exhibition.
Since I lived in Paris for a while, I still go there every year to visit my friends... and this time I combined it with the screening of the Calvet movie at the Majestic Bastille and the opening of his solo show at Galerie Mark Hachem on the beautiful Place des Vosges, in the presence of Jean Marc Calvet, Dominic Allan (the director) and Edith Progue (Soundtrack). 
All friends of me, and I am very proud of them.
Above and below some pictures...

 
BUT ALSO.... if you've become curious of the movie, check the link below, because you can watch the stunning documentary at home:

"CALVET Special Edition DVD - over 100 minutes of free extras & unseen footage
Clic BUY MOVIE - get DVD + Stream film online for free!
http://calvetmovie.com/


and or Download the Orginal Soundtrack:

Monday, April 22, 2013

Vernissage of my exhibition at Galerie Radeski in Liège

Last Friday it was the opening of my exhibition at Galerie Radeski.
 

A large number of my paintings, figuratives as well as abstracts, are presented on this show.

Not only my art is there, but also the wonderful AND colourful art of Abelardo Hernandez, Arthur Dorval and Eelco Maan, a.o.


I am very pleased to be working with Galerie Radeski, with their wonderful collection of artists.

 
It was a very nice evening, and I feel really overwhelmed by all the compliments, and it was SO nice to meet some of my art-collectors, 'old' art lovers, and new art lovers!!! Thanks!!!

The show runs until June 2.
Galerie Radeski, 69, Boulevard D'Avroy, 4000 Liège, Belgium, www.galerieradeski.be

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

INVITATION to my exhibition at Gallery Radeski


Recently I started working with Gallery Radeski, Boulevard D'Avroy, 69 in Liège, Belgium.

You are warmly invited to the OPENING of my exhibition on APRIL 19, from 18 - 21.00 hours, in this beautiful gallery, filled with art of top artists.

I will be attending the opening as well.

The exhibition will last until June 2.
For more information and opening hous check: http://www.galerieradeski.be/
(currently the website is under construction again)

Besides my abstract and figurative paintings, you can also admire the colourful works of Abelardo Hernandez and Anthony Dorval.

Friday, March 15, 2013

The older I get, the less I understand.

I have to throw this out:
 
WHY is the Western world maintaining the importance and power of a pope, while at the same time the Vatican probably is the most corrupt state in the world???
And it has been from time immemorial!


The Vatican is constructed by and on lies, intriges, blood money, secrets and sexual abuse....
It makes propaganda to reject gay sexuality, while in actual fact toooo many priests, bisshops, cardinals, and other species in the church assault each other and/or young innocent children!
It is SO afraid of women, that it has always suppressed them... and there is absolutely no question that a woman could be a priest.
Sinces centuries the Vatican tells us stories which are not true.
Jesus would turn over in his grave if he knew what we are told, from his name.

Since the number of believers is decreasing, I don't understand at all, why the media makes so much fuzz about the election of a new pope, nor what he is telling us.
Or is it, because the media don't have anything else to tell us?
Or..... do the media get PAYED by the Vatican to publish their rubbish??
??????

Friday, March 01, 2013

Rhythm-series.


I started a new series, Rhythm, and the first new painting in this series is called: 
Rhythm & Reds.
Yessss..... with a wink at 'Rhythm & Blues'.
On this picture, one can see, how I alternate the constructive phase, with the detailed phase, next again the constructive phase, before finally really ending with the detailed phase.
While using palette knives, brushes and fingers, I build and sculpt my paintings.

The image of the final painting, you can find on my website, or on my FB page.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE AUCTION!!!

During the auction, I added 2 more small paintings: Tiny-Est no. 3 and Tiny-Est no. 4.

The auction is closed, and every item has been sold for a nice price. So I am happy with it!
The total yield is absolutely peanuts in comparison with the loss of my friends (because of Sandy, the insurances, the banks and the government), but they are very grateful!


SPECIAL THANKS to all participants in this auction. I am really grateful!
The original paintings are going to Switzerland, USA, Dubai, The Netherlands and Belgium.
Both limited edition fine art prints are going to the USA and The Netherlands.
The signed posters are going to the USA, Spain, France and The Netherlands.

Thank YOU!!!

Sunday, February 03, 2013

AUCTION OF MY WORK to help my friends who LOST EVERYTHING!!!!

       3 small original paintings - 2 Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, 1 poster (5 pcs)

They lived on Long Island, New York. Their first loss was because of Sandy, NEXT because of the insurances, THIRD because of the banks, and last but not least....because the system stinks. 

Check THIS link, and click on each picture to see what the starting price is, and what bid has been made.

Bidding starts NOW and ends on February 8, 2013, 00.00 hours CET. 
You can send me a message with the painting/print of your choice and the amount you want to bid, on my personal e-mail: mail@estherbarend.eu or through my FACEBOOK message box .

'Imagine you wake up tomorrow morning. And everything you own is gone. Your home, car, all your belongings, everything you worked for your whole adult life. You spend the next couple weeks camped out on a friends couch. You spend your days tearing down your walls and ripping up your floors because they are septic. Due to mold and sewage. You bag up hundreds of industrial size garbage bags of of your hard earned belongings and memories and put them on the curb for the dump. The weeks turn into months. You rent a place but are still paying a mortgage and tax's for a place you can not live in. Your insurance company who you have paid for decades nickels and dimes you. And even if they pay ( and its the least they have to ) the bank may hold or refuse to cash the check so you can start to rebuild. Then your told after all this you may ( there's a good chance have to elevate your home six to ten feet at a cost of seventy to eighty thousand dollars. So you may want to consider delaying any rebuilding until after that's resolved which could take a couple years. Now imagine this what I just said may well be your best case scenario . That's what the people in my community are dealing with day after day. These are not irresponsible people they just happened to be in the target path of a storm named Sandy. Now they are being run over by incompetent bureaucracy and greedy banks and insurance company's. Now you may not think this is your problem. And I hope it never is. But if it does you will understand how the people in New Orleans and New York, Conn,and New Jersey feel. Good luck with your faith in the system...'

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

MINDLESS WATCHING - or better: WE ARE SPOILED!!!


We are living in a fast society
Every day millions of images, logos and texts come rushing by. Since the entrance of Facebook to the internet, it has been multiplied x1000... or even more.
 
It is a luxury problem and we are spoiled through it.
We set ever higher aims all the time.
Action movies need MORE action and more images than ever before!
Games need to be more explosive, need more action and more images which are sharper than your eyes can digest, etc...
Artists and art lovers check the internet and facebook, and see come by thousands of images every day.
Amongst them BEAUTIFUL pictures, which are sometimes breathtaking and stunning. But the next day, one needs a new shot of even more interesting images again.

Of course, internet is a wonderful phenomena!
 

We can instantly visit every place in the world, see and share all those beautiful things, without travelling for hours, without spending a lot of money, etc...
Looking to small pictures of art on the internet, absolutely can not be compared to experiencing a piece of art in reality.
One can't really immerse in it, and does not feel the immensity, the shivers, the humbleness and other upcoming emotions in the same way.

People don't pay a lot of attention to a beautiful piece of art on the internet.
We digest a picture of a piece of art, within a few seconds, before we get hungry for another one again.
This really is a pity.

The american professor in art education Terry Barrett, composed 3 questions, which help us refelect and discuss a piece of art, which is the main goal of art! (Thank you Bregje van der Laar, who does tours in the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam - The Netherlands,
for pointing out).
1. What do I see?
2. What is it about?
3. How do I know?

By asking oneself these questions, and sharing answers with one another, people come to new insights.
The questions lead from (mindless) watching to thinking and give meaning to.

I have noticed that, while looking at e.g. a painting, while asking myself those 3 questions, the painting gets a lot more interesting.
It does not have to become pompous/stilted (not for me anyway, I reject pompous).
I get more attracted, want to dig deeper, know more.
It becomes a matter of the soul.
I even think, I get to understand the creator better.
The painting gets more attractive by looking at it, from different points of view.
The three questions help with that!
Of course, when you ask yourself those 3 questions, facing a piece of art in reality, it works the same. It becomes more attractive.

Stop the mindless watching, and start enjoying!!!!


Want to know more?
Check http://www.terrybarrettosu.com/

Monday, January 07, 2013

Challenge - my contribution to a contest

'Chapeau! With sheer royal verve!' 60x80x4 cm | 24x31x1,5 inch, acrylic on canvas (as usual)

If you do not recognize or know her: this is my interpretation of Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands. The NOS (dutch television) has a contest for a portrait of the Queen. The best ones will be selected for an exhibition in Paleis Het Loo, in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. 

It was quite a challenge to catch her. But it was fun too! My explanation about how I constructed the painting is as follows:
I made the background on purpose quite rough, and next made it come back in the foreground, just like Beatrix' background matters in the present. 
Beatrix is glowing, proud, enthusiastic and openly.
Her hat represents her life: a combination of the past (background which also is in the foreground), to the present (thick layers), dynamic movements (turbulent times), warm colours (enthusiasm and passionate).
Nothing stands alone, everything is intertwined.

There are already about 1000 contributions, and there are a lot of FANTASTIC works of art, so it will be hard. Anyway, check it out if you like to: http://nos.nl/koningshuis/beeld-van-beatrix/page/1/

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

A feel good painting


'Euphoria' - a feel good painting :)

Truly, it is an enormous compliment when other artists, in training, emerging, established or hobbyist, are inspired by my work.
It gives meaning to my existence and to what I do.
I often receive visits on my website from art schools all over the world, and it makes me happy!
I truly hope the students can learn something of how my paintings are put together.
However, when people are trying to copy my work, because they don't have enough imagination of their own, it does annoy me.

How unsatisfying it must be to only copy, especially when you have enough talent of your own!
If it is for reasons to learn and develop, it is okay. However, if one keeps on copying... NAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!
What about your own input? What about creating your own style?
A true artist has a style of his/her own.
Copying most of the time only happens for financial reasons.
It's always about the money.
YUK!!!!!

I feel pity for those who only copy. They NEVER experience the feeling that often comes over me.
It is unexplainable how it feels when another great piece of art rises from under my hands and brushes.
The only word that comes near is EUPHORIA