no.1096

I would like to tell you about a friend,

she looks like an angel to me, and she feels like one too.

She does not have wings that I can see

and only wears her halo on special occasions;-)

I guess you could say she is an everyday woman living a simple life.

But she has a big heart and memorable qualities. 

If she is angry for example she can let it storm.

But if she is happy she will let the sun shine.

She touches my heart and soul in a special way.

If you have friends like that cherish them, and try to be one too.

(except for the storm-part that is;-)

Happy Easter

With Love Lies

'Friends are Angels
that lift us to our Feet
when our Wings have trouble

remembering how to Fly'

'Angelic Friend'
acrylic on canvas
5x5cm 2x2"inch

no. 1095

Look into my eyes, what do you see

Is it you that is helping me

or is it me that is helping you

by carrying you into your heart

I present myself being small and insecure

vulnerable not weak

because I know you recognize me

and so

we will both grow stronger

With Love Lies

'I am a student

of whoever

I can learn from'

Rashad Evans

 'Acces To A Deeper Field'

acrylic on canvas
5x5cm 2x2"inch

no. 1094

Sometimes an animal enters our life with a special reason, in fact I believe mostly they do.

Maybe they come in to open your heart, like my dog Raf did for me long time ago. Or they teach you to play more in life, enjoy cuddling, or go outside and explore the world. And how wonderful it is to see a kid build up self-confidence with a loyal pet-friend on his or her side.

The fun part is, you think you pick your pet, but they just as much choose you. It's an energetic interaction.

It might even take less then a few weeks to get a bond and discover new knowledge on yourself. That's the way it went with dog Tommie en his family. They got the insight that you can't fill up a void but you can accept it for what it is and transform it into something new. It was not easy because of earlier loss but after a short while they parted ways.

Tommie went on to another family to share his wisdom. But he also remains the dog of his first friends. Not in a physical way but in their hearts he will stay. 

A nice thought to start this week with. Nothing you hold dear is ever really lost, it always comes back to you in another form.

Sometimes you just need to relax and have faith that things will work out. Let go a little and just let life happen.

With Love Lies

'Let your faith be 

bigger than your fear'

'Faith'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1093

Sometimes an animal enters our life with a special reason, in fact I believe mostly they do.

Maybe they come in to open your heart, like my dog Raf did for me long time ago. Or they teach you to play more in life, enjoy cuddling, or go outside and explore the world. And how wonderful it is to see a kid build up self-confidence with a loyal pet-friend on his or her side.

The fun part is, you think you pick your pet, but they just as much choose you. It's an energetic interaction.

It might even take less then a few weeks to get a bond and discover new knowledge on yourself. That's the way it went with dog Tommie en his family. They got the insight that you can't fill up a void but you can accept it for what it is and transform it into something new. It was not easy because of earlier loss but after a short while they parted ways.

Tommie went on to another family to share his wisdom. But he also remains the dog of his first friends. Not in a physical way but in their hearts he will stay. 

A nice thought to start this week with. Nothing you hold dear is ever really lost, it always comes back to you in another form. You can rely on that, just keep faith

With Love Lies

'You can grieve

but have faith... 
Anything you lose 
comes round 

in another form.'

Jalaluddin Rumi

 'Tommie'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no. 1092

The most lovable sign of spring is seeing butterflies again. They need sunny weather. When the sun shines, they can absorb solar heat with their wings, to warm up and fly.

Butterflies are light and frivolous the way they flutter from flower to flower. It's a joyous sight. They simply enjoy life so it seems. Makes me smile always.

To enter spring I've painted a butterfly for you today. It's one from South-America and usually when they rest they will sit upside down in a high tree. I like their graphic pattern a lot. The male can make a cracking noise, although nobody knows what it's used for. That's how they got their name.

Hope we get to enjoy lots of sun this week, 

With Love Lies

'A butterfly

counts not months

but moments,

and always has time enough'

 'Flying Blue Cracker'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

-personal collection-

no. 1091

*Note to self

If you feel good or if you feel sad, if you feel tired, energetic, doubtful, secure, proud or ashamed. Alone or together, or any other emotion. Just feel it all the way. It's there for a reason.

And then realize...

Amazing things will happen.

expect it, be ready, rejoice over it.

Enjoy your week!

With Love Lies

Amazing Things Will Happen

'Keep Smiling Deer'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no. 1090

There is a flowershop nearby my house which I really like. Antoesa.  It's run by a friendly lady which in itself is a good reason to go there. But more importantly she sells beautiful flowers a piece. If you handpick your bouquet there it's as if you see the beauty of each type of flower even more. 

We all have our different kind of beauty, and together we create a colourful mix. Sometimes we have to put in a bit more effort to see the good, but it's there in everything in everyone.

I strongly believe that looking for beauty and amplifying or magnifying it makes us more happy and better people. 

Not closing our eyes for 'reality' but focus on the good stuff at the same time. Every moment of every day of every week is about making choices, but this week in the Netherlands it's more than ever about choosing wisely.

Look for the good!

Enjoy your week!

With Love Lies

'Train your mind 
to see the beauty 
in everything'

 'Joyful Bouquet'
acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1089

Kingfishers could easily be the most exotic bird we have in the Netherlands. Those bright colors are not so common over here.

Walking near a clear stream of water you might see a flash of quick-flying blue feathers diving for fish.

It is said the kingfisher is the promise of more abundance, new warmth, prosperity and love that is about to enter your life.

So if you have the luck to see one it probably leaves you in aah.

Meeting a kingfisher, even in your dreams also tells you to enjoy life more. And teach your children to enjoy life. In real life the little kingfisher-babies learn to live their own life right after they fly out of the nest. Don't be afraid to try new things. The way a kingfisher dives into the water to catch a fish, you can see yourself diving into something new.

Don't worry, with a kingfisher around you will do just fine...

That's why I painted two today, so two people can enjoy these bird powers :-) Or if you are a huge fan and you are quick you can choose them both, they kind of belong together.

(also have a look at no.1088 HERE)

Enjoy your week!

With Love Lies

'It's a new dawn.

It's a new day. It's a new life.'

 'Kingfisher Power'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1088

Kingfishers could easily be the most exotic bird we have in the Netherlands. Those bright colors are not so common over here.

Walking near a clear stream of water you might see a flash of quick-flying blue feathers diving for fish.

It is said the kingfisher is the promise of more abundance, new warmth, prosperity and love that is about to enter your life.

So if you have the luck to see one it probably leaves you in aah.

Meeting a kingfisher, even in your dreams also tells you to enjoy life more. And teach your children to enjoy life. In real life the little kingfisher-babies learn to live their own life right after they fly out of the nest. Don't be afraid to try new things. The way a kingfisher dives into the water to catch a fish, you can see yourself diving into something new.

Don't worry, with a kingfisher around you will do just fine...

That's why I painted two today, so two people can enjoy these bird powers :-) Or if you are a huge fan and you are quick you can choose them both, they kind of belong together.

(also have a look at no. 1089 HERE)

Enjoy your week!

With Love Lies

no.1088 'Kingfisher Love'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1087

This little mouse made me wonder.

The way he reaches and stretches to get to the berries he likes best. Balancing on a twig like a circus animal on the jungle gym. Aren't we like that?

When we really long for something, we will always find a way to get there. Sometimes it takes more time or perseverance in order to achieve it, but if it is a true soul desire we will never stop.

And if we do stop trying?

Then maybe it was not so important after all or we will get so unhappy that we will probably try it again after a while. In a different way.

I wanted to paint for a living since I was very little but I made a huge detour before I realized. Everything I ever did was creative but I never felt totally at my place. I was close but not spot on. Up till now. Making people happy with the things I paint out of pure desire. Transporting energy. Being able to live from that. Pure Joy!

Thanks, thanks thanks!

And even now I'm still reaching for those juicy berries haha. Always things to wish for, but I'm blessed and on my trail.

Ok to be accurate not to say that these berries are the mouses favorite, I don't even know if mice like berries, I just painted a metaphor. I hope you like it. Those eyes full of magic and expectation. And this mouse tells us it's all about the little things, little steps can make you climb a mountain.

Stay nimble this week

With Love Lies

'Rise up nimbly

and go on your strange journey

to the ocean of meanings...

Leave and don't look away

from the sun as you go,

in whose light

you're sometimes crescent,

sometimes full.'

Rumi

 'Acrobatic Mouse'

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no. 1086

Cups and Bowls, Vases and Plates, all kinds of ceramics can make me greedy. I don't give in too often because I have a small apartment and not so much cupboard space.

Thereby I can just as easily enjoy it on a table of a friend or in a restaurant. But this cup made by Sue Tirrell I find very love-able. 

Animals as you know are a favorite but the way she draws them is fun. So if I can find this cup I will probably buy it, and if not for myself, then for my good friend Janneke who loves rabbits.

For now I enjoyed painting it just as much. I do not try to make it superrealistic but I like it to be a bit naive and skewed imperfect.

That's what I like most in people too:-)

I don't find it easy all the time but I try to love my own imperfections just as much. In Japan they have this good habit of repairing broken cups with pure gold. Don't hide it but show it.

Have an imperfect proud of yourself week:-)

With Love Lies

There Is A Crack In Everything,

That's How The Light Gets In.

Leonard Cohen

Team Blue-

'Blue Rabbit Ceramic Bowl'

 - after Sue Tirrell

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

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.1084

This weekend was bird-counting-day in the Netherlands.

I must admit I did not count any of them, but I am fond of looking at birds all the time. 

Some time ago I had the flu and from my bed I could see 5 little tomtits flying by my window back and forth. It looked as if they were playing 'tag, you're it'. It made my time in bed much more fun. They reminded me to live my life as playful as possible even if it is with intense fever. So I just enjoyed my extra 'time off'.

Another thing I never will get enough of is the magnolia flower. I've painted them in so many ways and for me they symbolize that 'the new' is coming. The first sign that spring is on its way. So these two combined, the tomtit and magnolias celebrates life in a beautiful way.

Hope you can enjoy nature this week.

With Love Lies

"In Order To See Birds
It Is Necessary
To Become 
A Part Of The Silence."

Robert Lynd

 'TomTit With Magnolias'
acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1083

Today is no.06 in Bagel's series

Did you know today is the chinese new-year? Every year has a zodiac-sign that is to believed to predict the energy for a full year. This year 2017 is the year of the ...

no it is not the dog, it is the rooster.

But just for fun listen what the rooster has to say:

"I am alert

Ready to take action

The first on the scene

The last to leave

I take chances

But I am precise

Nothing escapes me

I am always prepared

I never give up or in..."

So now you know how to behave in this year,

Bagel already knew, look at her standing:-)

So today as the first day of this rooster-year, go for it, no delay, you know what you want, stop hesitating.

And remember- if you can dream it you can do it.

Good Luck and Enjoy

With Love Lies

 'On Top Of The World'

-Tribute to a dog named Bagel-6

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no. 1082

Today is no.05 in Bagel's series

Mostly we assume our dog knows we love him or her,

but maybe the same goes for people

It works better if you sometimes tell them in actual words. Of course showing them extra attention works great too. And with dogs food works probably best haha

But seriously, it might sound strange, but try to tell your dog what you like so much about him or her, really feel it inside and in your minds eye show them pictures of precious moments together.

And even if it does not work it will give you a better feeling anyway.

The same could work with your partner, family, friends or colleagues. Personally I think we can not say enough positive things to each other. Especially in this day and age...

Make it a friendly day today

With Love Lies

'You Know I Love You'

-Tribute to a dog named Bagel-5

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no. 1081

Today is no.04 in Bagel's series

Dogs and children, not always, but mostly a great combination. They both love to play, see adventure in everything, are the best of friends, and dogs are the best secret keepers in the world. Tell them your innermost stories and you can be sure they won't tell anyone.

Bagel and young Finn are also true comrades, Finn will show all of his pokemons to Bagel, and Bagel looks at them patiently. But the best time they share together on the beach. How fortunate they live nearby and can go there nearly everyday.

Which dog does not like the beach? The vast emptiness, a large sandpit. Perfect to explore, dig holes and have long runs. With some imagination you could think Finn and Bagel are together on the moon accompanied by their long and thin shadow-friends.

Use your imagination just a little bit more today, and if you are sitting in a tl-lighted officespace I know it's hard... but maybe... that one plant standing there, transports you to a lunchbreak in the tropics haha :-)

With Love Lies

'Together On The Beach'

-Tribute to a dog named Bagel-4-

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch

no.1080

Today is no.03 in Bagel's series

When I'm starting to paint I rarely make a sketch, I just start somewhere on the canvas and the painting evolves almost by itself. The same goes for the colors I use. It's mostly intuitive what fits or doesn't fit. 

We are often affected by colors in many ways without even realizing it. It's even in the colors you wear. Do you recognize that some colors look good on you one day and look terrible the next? 

The color that goes well with Bagel is Turquoise, and to me it is no surprise. This color stands for contentment, peace, protection, happiness and sympathy.

Way to go Bagel:-)

Look for your favorite colors today, and if you need any of the values written above take a long look at Bagel's painting:-)

With Love Lies

'My Name Is Bagel'

-Tribute to a dog named Bagel-3-

acrylic on canvas 5x5cm 2x2"inch