Part of...

This is a small part, a close-up of the paint structure...

of quite a large painting (70*100 cm):

I have made this painting some years ago, it is nice to work on a larger scale. 

Of course it is quite abstract and energetic, it will not be everyone's cup of tea. 

But it is for sale, let me know if you are interested.

This is the beginning...

of a new painting, first layer.

Inspiration from the museum

Museums are a good starting point for inspiration. To see the techniques, themes, styles and colour use of other painters often leads me to new ideas.

This time it was the Singer Museum in Laren. 

An exhibition of paintings made in the art community of Laren.

There were several paintings made by Isaac Israëls, I really like them. He almost always paints people, in a very loose manner and with lovely colour schemes. I love this painting:

Another painting which drew me closer is this painting (picture is a part of the painting) 

by Jan Toorop:

The subject of two girls in local costume near the beach, having a conversation, is interesting.

As well as the technique. Here you see how it was presented in the museum.

ETSY made local NL: finally some pictures...

The first edition of ETSY made local in the Netherlands was great! 

So nice to see more than 50 shops together (almost 60!) and meet the makers.

The large greenhouse on the edge of the city was filled with visitors, family, friends and sellers.

We had a knitting table, a table for drawing and colouring, there was pizza, coffee and soups.

People were coming and going all day.

#etsymadelocalinnl

EVENT - Etsy made local in Utrecht November 25th

ETSY made local in the Netherlands!

A handmade and vintage fair in my neighbourhood,

organised by me and my teammates Marijke and Inge,

welcome!

There are about 60 ETSY-shops presenting their creations and finds,

we have a knitting table, a wrapping-service, coffee from the Babescoffee,

snacks and soup from Abbie's soup and Deining in de kas.

Mysterious Scotland

Autumn in Scotland was beautiful... 

the evening sun shining over the village of Torridon.

All shades of green in a valley filled with deer:

Holiday impression

When I am on holiday, I only make quick sketches or some small watercolour paintings.

I prefer to hike and make lots of pictures.

We spent some weeks in Scotland,

and the autumn colours were amazing. 

Views on lochs and coastlines were beautiful.

And now it is back to work!

Paper art - CODA museum

Another museum I visited is the CODA museum, 

every two years they host an exhibition for paper artists.

An impression of this year, starting with my favourite:

an artwork made by Miriam Londoño from Colombia,

refering to the refugee crisis,

drawings from pulp paper were pinned to the wall.

This one is made by Kumi Yasmashita from Japan,

first I saw coloured paper, and then I saw the faces.

I am not sure who are the makers of these,

but I liked the sculptures and graphics.

Traditional Dutch knitwear

Repaired jeans, ripped up jeans,

it seems to be a trend.

In a museum on Dutch history and crafts I saw this made and mended knitwear, 

of original coloured wool,

like they made it in earlier days.

It has a special charm to it, I think.

It was lying there on a chair, in an old farmhouse where they showed the life of a craftswoman.

Here are some pictures:

Castle fair

Castle fair, September, Sypesteyn, the Netherlands.

I love the gardens around castles,

so was happy to spend a day on the art fair with my paintings and drawings:

Heather, fog and cobwebs

Mushrooomss

Autumn has arrived, and so have the mushrooms:

In all colours, see these purple ones:

Or camouflage brown:

And the one of  the fairy tales:

Time flies

In April I was working on this painting, before the renovation of the studio,

I am looking forward to the time to be painting again.

Maybe the end of this month... yeah!

Painting in progress, ZIZOlabel

Quick drawing by heart

Made some quick drawings in my sketchbook,

just let imagination and impressions come out of your pen.

Often quite surprising...

I love ETSY

I love the ETSY-platform for makers,

the world can now see my paintings,

and it has led to some really nice local contacts.

With our local team we are now working together to organize an event,

visiting city studios, creative hubs...

I love making, and I love the craftmanship.

Here is my shop on Etsy. 

Jungle garden

Fruit harvesting continues... after raspberry's and black berries, now pears and apples are on their way.

Hey, the grapes are almost ready as well:

It has been very busy, so I could not spend so much time in our garden, and it has turned into a wild flower jungle! I left it to the insects and bees.... which is okay for this year, I just don't have the time.

In the front you see some beetroots I planted... snowed in by weed and flowers.

Fruits in abundance

Pfew, fruit harvesting time!

August is the time when all fruit is ready to be harvested: apples, pears and berries.

So hard at work in our garden.

Staying put...

I read a nice article about long-term views and contributing to the place where you live,

very inspirational,

so therefore:

©ZIZOlabel

made with watercolour and permanent marker

Holiday is...

Making art together :).

Ingredients: time, inspiration (cats and meadows), 

one watercolour paintbox (#winsorandnewton),

several brushes and paper.

Inspiration: nature's patterns

My eyes see patterns,

here in my garden,

rythmic and beautiful: