no.1121

Today I've painted a miniature portret of a family member. A family that is very close to each other and of which I've painted several portret's during the years. In this case the family is really related to each other.

But...'family' isn't always 'blood'. I guess it's more the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are and vice versa. The ones who would do anything to see you happy and who love you no matter what.

If this is the case with your relatives you can feel a happy person, but don't worry if it's not. Luckily you have the freedom to form your own 'family'. And even (or should I say certainly) animals can be a part of your tribe...

'Ronny'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1120

Entering a new territory. In a transferable sense or in the physical way, we all do it at least once in a while. Some hate it and prefer to stay in the known places others cannot live without the incentive and the exciting of the 'new'. Most of us are somewhere in between. You can also see this mix in animals. The wagtail and the watchful nose that accompany each other. I think entering new areas and rediscovering ourselves is what keeps our life alive.

Love is a place

and through this place

Love moves

all places

'New Territory'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1119

Cats and dogs supposedly differ so much that they can't make a harmonious match. I am always happy when I see evidence of the proverbial exception to the rule. For me, that indicates that the 'rules' are not so necessary at all. And that the most beautiful combinations in art and love usually originate outside the established order. The area where the head has stopped and the heart takes over. :-)

"I'll keep you safe in these arms of mine
Hold on to me, pretty baby, and
You'll see I can be all you need"

'I'll Keep You Safe'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1118

There once was a little princess who first was not accepted by her father because he rather had a son. I am not going to tell you the whole story but the princess runs off disguised as a beggar in a catskin coat. She wants to attend the ball to dance and of course the prince of the ball falls in love with her. Her father feels guilty that he once rejected her and is incredibly pleased that he now finds her happy and well so end good all is good.

Sometimes life is like a Fairytale. In which a tough girl who always had to take care of herself suddenly finds someone who appreciates her for who she is. So now she can finally admit to her softer side too:-)

Put On Your Cat(s)kin And Dance

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

And what nice coincidence in nature the willow catkin stands for love and protection.:-)

So that's why it became a series of three

no.1117

You, kind soul

are still the child who gently places fallen baby birds

back in their nests.

You, are still the soft soul

that gets your heart broken over cruel words

You, are still the gentle heart who once tried to heal a flower

by trying to stick it's petals back

when ignorant feet trampled it.

This is why you are important

This is why you will always be needed.

Kindness is the greatest endangered thing.

And there you are, existing,

with your heart so full with it.

after Nikita.Gill.

Jaël

acrylic on canvas

5x5cm 2x2"inch

no. 1116

A nightingale is known for it's beautiful song,

hearing this bird sing is a joy.

To me a birds song is among the simple yet special free gifts of life.

But it's only when I'm focused in the now that I can enjoy this 'present'

When I'm occupied with thoughts or worries I simply can't notice this daily beauty.

So it's a great reminder to not let the Today get stolen by the unchangeable past or the indefinite future. Every Today is a new day!

“Do not set aside your happiness. Do not wait to be happy in the future. The best time to be happy is always now.” 

'Young Nightingale'
acrylic on canvas
5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1115

In many ways, our lives can resemble the sometimes turbulent, sometimes calm, yet always flowing nature of water. Near the water is were I'm reminded to be at ease with myself, and with my life. To just let it flow. 

That's why I painted this colorful lake with flowers of joy for you.
To remind us that every day is a good day. There is something to learn, always something to care for and so we never forget to celebrate.

The more you praise
and celebrate your life
the more there is
in life to
celebrate.

'Water Party'

acrylic on canvas 

5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1114

"My nightingale sings me to sleep
as the sky changes from dusk to night
the sweet little notes caress my ears
while I gently close my eyes
dreaming to her lovely lullaby"
poetry by Crissy Ade 

'Nightingale'
acrylic on canvas
5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1113

Almost all flowers are my favorites, but poppy holds a special place. Is it the fiery red that calls you from a distance and stands out in the field or on the roadside? The ever so black heart with an almost purple shine to it? It certainly is the strength with which she endures the strongest winds. She bends and bows but won't let go of her petals. 

But if you pick her, she will soon break. What her message might be is this. 

Let me shine let me show, enjoy my abundance but try not to captivate me then the joy will soon fade. 

Little wise poppy:-)

'Poppy'

acrylic on canvas

5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1112

Don't know if you got the same feeling, but I am in the mood for something light and friendly. Something like the miniature-painting of today and a poem that fits that mood.

The robin makes a laughing sound.

It makes me stop and look around

to see just what the robin sees-

fresh new leaves on twigs of trees,

a strong, high branch on which to rest,

a safe dry ledge to hold its nest.

This robin makes a laughing sound

I stop.

I always look around.

...

poetry by Sallie Wolf

 'Friendly Robin'

acrylic on canvas

5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1111

Today I would like to share

something nice and simple with you

Instructions

for living a life:

Pay attention

Be astonished

Tell about it

...

poetry by Mary Oliver

'White Wagtail'

acrylic on canvas

5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1110

The miracle is

that the brilliance,

of the miraculous

can live

in the blandness

of the mundane.

The greater miracle

is that we

have enough brilliance,

in our

blandness,

to see it

Craig D. Lounsbrough

'Common Chaffinch'

acrylic on canvas
5x5cm 2x2" inch

no.1109

The world turns softly

Not to spill its lakes and rivers,

The water is held in its arms

And the sky is held in the water.

What is water,

That pours silver,

And can hold the sky?

(Hilda Conkling)

This will be a week full of water whispers,

see you tomorrow!

With Love Lies

The magic 
on this planet,
it is contained 
in water.

no.1109 'Water Mirror' 
acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1108

Once I spoke the language of the flowers

Once I understood each word the caterpillar said

Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings

And shared a conversation with the housefly in my bed.

Once I heard and answered all the questions of the crickets

And joined the crying of each falling dying flake of snow

Once I spoke the language of the flowers

How did it go?

How did it go?

Smell the soil, get out there and ask the birds

Still your mind just for a while, open up your loving heart

Gently let nature's stories give you a spark

And overflow your thirsty soul.

(free after Shel Silverstein)

Have a magical week!

With Love Lies

I'm sure one day,
we all find the place,
where our dreams
and reality collide.

no.1108 'Yellow berry Starling'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1107

This weekend a friend reminded me how close an animal can get to your heart. She lost her cat-friend by a heart-attack out of nowhere and I felt incredibly compassionate. I truly know how much that hurts.

Another young friend is ill herself but finds great comfort in the company of her soul sister, who coincidentally is a dog girl:-) They support each other in a very special way and feel perfectly safe together.

You know, animals do speak, but maybe only to those who know how to listen.

Have a loving week

and enjoy the animals around you.

With Love Lies

p.s come see the mini's at sat 28-sun 29 oktober open atelier

'Until one has

loved an animal,

a part of one's soul

remains unawakened.'

Anatole France

no.1107 'GoldieLock's True Love'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

Today's miniature was an assignment. Would you like to have a miniature made for you? Have a look here or send me a message HERE

no.1106

Coming up, new exhibitions of my waterscape paintings in Amsterdam. Wednesday the 18th of October (opening at 17.00)  till Sunday the 29th in the artcentre CBK. On the 28th and the 29th also in the Tropical Institute and in my "open atelier". You can read all about it in the link below.

Today a small waterscape to celebrate the multiplicity of water. This time the miniature is inspired on my big painting. "What Lies Beneath-5" 

If you can't spend some time in nature this week, break free in your head, imagine you are near these pink streams. To gather peace of mind and wash your spirit clean.

Have a joyful week and hope to see you this wednesday!

more info HERE

With Love Lies

'For all at last,
return to the sea,
like the ever-flowing
stream of time,
the beginning
and the end' 

rachel carson

no.1106 'Pink Stream'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1105

Simply choose love today,

choose love tomorrow,

and please don't forget to love yourself,

because it's with self-love

you start authentic love.

and hey...remember...every day is a new today...

With Love Lies

'I have decided

to stick to love;

hate is too great a burden

to bear.'

Martin Luther King 

no.1105 'Secret Whispers'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1104

Water by itself has no distinct color. It lends colors from its surroundings. It mirrors the trees, it echo’s the sky, it shows its transparent view of it’s underlying bottom.

We as humans are in a way similar. We take the shape and colour of our environment. So we better look for a scenery we love.

Surround yourself with people and thoughts that uplift you, shine your brightest colors and inspire others to do the same.

With Love Lies

'Human nature is like water.
It takes the shape of its container.' 

no.1104 'Mirroring Trees'
acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

Happy-mini Waterscapes

Remember no 1085?

My little 'Dreaming At The Pond'

In a way a lot started with this small no. 1085

It grew into a big painting called 'What Lies Beneath'

This painting brought me to an exhibition in museum de Fundatie

and it brought me to paint a whole series of these waterscapes.

So remember to keep on dreaming nice things for yourself too! :-)

The  weekend of  8 | 9 | 10 | september the whole series of big ones will be on exhibit in Amsterdam.

I would like to invite you to come and see, drink something and enjoy the view. 

Please read all about the what | where | when | HERE

'Dreaming At The Pond'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"