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.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.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.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"

no.1101

Todays miniature shows you the north-sea-regatta we witnessed in Scheveningen. At first we just thought "wow" so many people sailing today haha.

And to be honoust I've had no idea what so ever about who won or what the main goal of this competition is. But it sure looked impressive.

Life, of course, is never a race, but sometimes it's fun to enter a contest.

You might remember one of my larger paintings is selected for zomerexpo and is on display and for sale at a Dutch Museum de Fundatie. 

(To be precise my work is in the garden room (Tuinzaal) at the Castle Nijenhuis in Heino if you would like to visit)

But there is also a contest for the public's favorite and I would love to win that of course:-)

Please vote for me if you like. With this link you can vote and see the big painting at the same time. Thank you so much!

https://zomerexpo.nl/collectie/2017-064/

Have a 'fortunate' week

With Love Lies

'Life is'nt a race,

find joy in your journey

and that way

win every day' 

'North Sea Regatta in Scheveningen'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1100

Waterlily's like the lotus have their roots firmly entrenched in the mud and their beautiful flowers lightly floating on the water surface.

They close their pretty heads every evening as the light fades and open up fresh and frivolous at dawn. That's why they can be seen as a symbol of rebirth and second chances.

I like this symbolic meaning and I believe in second, third or even fourth chances. And  I will keep on stating it's important to never give up on your dream.

Several years ago I visited museum de Fundatie /kasteel het Nijenhuis. I fell in love with the natural surrounding and the way the art was shown in this castle. I secretly wished to hang there with my art, but I did not even paint at that time. This Wednesday this dream will come true! 

My painting 'What Lies Beneath' (100x100cm) is being exhibited from the 24th of may till the 20th of august in museum de fundatie/kasteel Nijenhuis. 

It feels kind of festive, just as it feels festive that today I painted no. 1100 of the miniature project. One little step at the time and believing it's possible will get you almost anywhere you want.

What is your dream?

Have a week full of dreams and believing

With Love Lies

'Don't think dreaming is a waste of time, 

for dreams are our realities in waiting. 
In dreams we plant the seeds of our future' 

 'Lily Of The Pond'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1099

You probably know walking is good for you. It strengthens your heart, lowers disease risk, gives you energy, helps you lose weight and best of all walking makes you happy. It's the best medicine for a mild case of depression.

If you walk outside every day for about 30 minutes you also boost your vitamin D and that's something your bones and immune system will love.

Strolling down the beach and feeling the sand between your toes is my absolute favorite. It's like a free foot massage. That together with smelling the sea and all of the above advantages makes me wonder why I don't go there every day:-)

Have a healthy week

With Love Lies

'Always keep a little

beach day in your heart'

'Barefoot At The Beach'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"

no.1085

I've found myself a new dream destination:-)And 'never stop dreaming' is one of my favorite sayings.
I'm a fan of Monet's waterlily paintings. When I was young I had a favorite postcard. It was of a painting with bright and vivid colours. It showed a landscape with a bridge over a pond with waterlilies. Whenever there was a lot of turmoil in daily life I turned to this postcard and imagined myself in the peace and tranquility of this beautiful world.

Later on when I visited a museum in Paris I saw Monet's paintings for the first time in actual size and I was impressed and in love. This was also the moment I remembered my favorite postcard and realized it was Monet's urge to paint the 'unseen' world just beneath and above the 'actual world' I loved so much.

Not painting the reality but above all the feeling this reality brings you. Creating a whole new reality. That's what painting is to me too. And now I just found out there is a fish pond somewhere in Japan that has this mystical appearance written all over.

So I see myself standing at this pond painting the most beautiful big waterscapes I can imagine. There is no hurry but I will go there one day I am sure!

What is your dream-destination?

And Why? I would love to hear from you!

With Love Lies

Why Downgrade Your Dream To Match Your Reality?Upgrade Your Faith To Match Your Destiny.

'Dreaming at The Pond'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

This miniature (5x5cm) is part of the  'Small to Big-series'  it's bigger version 'What Lies Beneath' (100x100cm) was on exhibition in MUSEUM DE FUNDATIE 

no.1077

Do you sometimes, more than usual, notice a certain animal ? Not only in real life, but also on photo's. Maybe in a picture book, as a logo on a truck, in your dreams or in the title of a story?

If so the there might be a hidden message for you. Suppose you see a remarkable number of geese lately...

Then it would be good to realize that you can be proud of who you are, without to much attention to your appearance. Just be glad who you are inside. Let your life not depend on what others say, just follow your own path. Get out of your head, enjoy, rest if you need to, and most importantly... laugh! Have fun! Life is meant to be enjoyed.

Also good advice if this is the only (egyptian) goose you will meet this week:-)

Make it a relaxed week!

With Love Lies

"Inside the calm minds, great ideas swim serenely like the morning geese of the misty lakes"
Mehmet Murat Ildian

'Swim Like An Egyptian'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1076

Monday again and that's a good reason for a miniature, to start your week happy.

The first Monday of this new year, so please let me wish you a marvelous, magical, healthy, and adventurous 2017

A year full of space and depth, colour, love and nature just like this miniature no.1076

And if you want something different for this year I wish that for you too, even better:-)

Make it a good first week of 2017!

With Love Lies

'Emerald Green Ocean'
acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1074

It's Monday and that's always a good reason to begin with a miniature, to start your week happy.

This chalky coastline seems to have a silver lining. If you look intensely at this view, you can feel the peace, the space and creativity coming up to live your life according to your heart's desire. Do you know how much the gods of nature like to help and support you in living your dream life? If you want you can practice to be more ready to receive prosperity.

Take, preferably outside, a moment to feel what it's like to walk in your dream life. Make it as vivid as possible. And feel grateful, as if it's already part of you.

I know it may sound like gobbledygook, but I assure you it works.

Real joy, heartfelt, whether it is over something small or very big, invites more joy and prosperity on your way, try it, it's fun anyway!

I would love to hear what you receive this week on additional joy.

With Love Lies

'Chalky Coastline'
acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1067

How far can we Sea

The sky is blue or grey or me
If you look close by
you see the drops of salt left on the rocks.
Looking up for distant views
lingers promise
and things not seen
How far can we see...

'How Far Can We Sea'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1064

My head is playing tricks with me,

I worry about something that might happen in the future,

by someone I don’t trust.

Walking outside by the water, in the early falling evening, hello moon, boats gently rock the sidewalls, a big tree hangs over to mirror his own view, across the water, lights go on, people come home. Nearby I see the greylike yellow of leaves and unknown plants

It’s all there, for me to enjoy,

and I realize...

There is great freedom in simplicity of living.

If I can just trust that I am exactly where I need to be.

Keep doing the things I love, sharing my colours.

Don’t you think that simple living and simple thinking, 

is the key to an inspirational life?

I guess simple things become complicated 

when we expect to much, 

good or bad…

'Moonlight Water View'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

You can BUY this miniature HERE

no. 1063

One of the things I love about being a painter is that I can be like a god in my own universe. I feel completely free to create a place where I want to be. 

If I’m outside, painting en plein air, then I catch my sense of that place in paint and color. 

Anything that does not appeal to me, I leave out or simply place it somewhere else. And also when I paint in my atelier by memory or with help of pictures, I can make it as beautiful and special as I want it to be remembered. 

And for instance on a day like today, when the rain pours down on us. I can simply take a walk on this beach with a sun setting as long as I like. I love that feeling. And I also love to share the things that make me happy.

So please, feel free 

to visit here today,

and stay as long as you need.

'Everlasting Sunset'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1054

If clouds are falling down on you,

imagine sinking in a sea of love

let it wash away your worry

wallows you in newfound vigor

bringing you a renewed day.

 'Clouds Falling Down'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1053

Yesterday I asked you what makes you still, what can quiet your mind, what makes you feel more at peace. Well I believe it is exactly what we need giving this new turmoil worldwide. 

I forgot about one thing that helps release unnecessary thoughts.

The sea.

And even if you look at the sea you realize it’s not always at ease and friendly. It can turn into a tsunami, it can flood half a country. Before it returns to foam on the sand.

It is not that we should close our eyes or don’t do anything. But panic or anger does not give the best ideas either.

I believe the best way to start change is always to start in your own small close world. That’s the place where you have the most influence. 

Look at yourself, look at your neighbor. If there is something to improve in how you see things or act on things. Do it. Help each-other on a small scale. Of course the ‘big things’ need to be taken care of too, but since everything is energy, at least try to stop feeding the world more venom and anxiety.

Feed it with positivity and love. 

That’s why I paint these miniatures in the first place.

Love you!

'Foamy Beach' acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1047

To start your day in a good mood just simply think of all the colors of the sea. It's not only the water or the sky that changes color so often but also the path that leads you to the sea creates a wonderful changing palette every time again. This path is really gentle and relaxed. Wish you an easy going day today!

'Softgrey Dunepath'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch