Hand-made is one of the trends!

This week I read an article about the trends of next year, and one small part was about the trend of hand-made articles (or "handwerk" as they say in Dutch). They think that hand-made knitting, woodwork and so on will be THE thing in the nearby future, and that makes me happy of course. On the internet it is already a trend, and there are so many designers who make really nice things, I hope it will be a trend that will last!

What I've been up to?

Hey, time goes by easily... What I've been up to? I am now at the moment preparing some paintings which will be exhibitioned in my brother's practice in Delft. I need to make a small portfolio for that with pictures, prices, information and so on.

I am doing some administration, I am working on an assignment for my aunt, I have finished two paintings which I am quite proud of (and happy to have finished... because the finishing touch took me a long time, and I would like to get on with some other ideas), I have been busy for church, and I am busy with making some ideas with textile.

Yesterday, my mind was in a sort of spin, because I had been working so concentrated that I felt a bit dizzy... But I am fine, don't worry.

The image is just one of a series of some drawing I have been doing with pastel crayons, the picture is a bit dark, but you'll get the idea.

Ok, on to work now... no I am not stressed, just spinning...

Studio

This Saturday my family is coming to visit my workstudio... so I'd better clean up, put some fresh flowers, show my paintings and so on. Lots to do!

Spectacular skies

In one of my drawing lessons (pastel crayons), we had to focus on clouds. Drawing clouds is just not that easy, so I am often looking up to see the clouds and the skies and to try to memorize the colors for when I am drawing. One evening, I stepped into my garden, and looked up, and there was this amazing sky: imminent, strange colour, fading, depth, layers... well I just had to take a picture.

Vroemm...

I have never learnt how to use a sowing-machine. My grandmother did teach me a lot of other skills like knitting, crocheting etc. but this machine... I don't know... I am just not that patient, at least that's what I thought of myself.

But hey, you never know when you haven't tried, so I am just practicing away and trying, and maybe after a slow start.. I will start enjoying it.

Just enjoying myself

Inspired by Heather Moore from South Africa, I enjoyed myself with some scraps of fabric. Fabric with which I did not know exactly what to do, but joined together in a pattern it looks kinda nice. I think about making a small children'sblanket or a bag with it...

Another try for some photos...it worked!

Here are some of the photos of my trip to Bergen, a really picturesque village, typical Dutch and also near the beach! Many artists live here and the architecture of some of the houses is extraordinary, there is a small lane which is internationally known for the houses. Hope you enjoy the pictures!