Forgotten Places

There is something about abandoned places that that is very intriguing. A place that was once a centerpiece in a few people's lives, is now all but forgotten.

Those places are left in silence, surrounded by a sense of stillness that makes us reflect on our selves. Depicting moments in time, present and past, taking us on a journey of silhouettes and horizons of the Australian landscape. The absence of Human presence intensifies the stillness and abandonment.

My paintings of abstracted landscapes are the results of many road trips, scanning the fields searching for Forgotten Places. Capturing the essential elements of a visual and spiritual experience, eliminating unnecessary details.

Man Made Man Kind

"Untitled Yet", 50 x 100cm, acrylic on Canvas

Titles

My last show was named "Natural Order". Natural Order was a title that I found suitable for a show that was about Nature taking over. Man made objects that where doomed for slow but inevitable expiration.

Some critics though took it differently and with Global warming on the agenda I got some interesting and mixed responses. I am not sure if there is a perfect title for a painting or exhibition, but I am certainly more conscious about choosing one.

I used to give my sculptures numbers as I found titles were distracting/confusing the viewer. Titles came secondary and still do.

Should I be as clear as possible with choosing a title or decide on one that could create interesting discussions on subjects. Or should a title just be a name so we know what we are talking about?

Can a title give an extra dimension to a work, or should it speak for it's self?

I have just finished the painting you can see above and I could call it "Paddock" or "Field", but perhaps "Afternoon Delight" is more appropriate. I quite like the last one, but isn't that a chocolate brand as well?

Lost Ground

Lost Ground is a large canvas I have been working on for quite some time. It is nearing it's finishing stage and can be viewed at Anita Traverso Gallery in May 2010. Size: 197x100cm. Acrylic on Canvas.

The smaller watercolour is a study.

Size: 30x15cm, watercolour on paper.

Naked Canvas

Instead of not showing my “face” for a while because I am so flat out with working on my up coming show, I will try to keep you up to date on some works in progress and some other in-sides.

I love the, “The Naked Canvas”, as I call it. It the start of often spending a lot time in the studio. Boiling hot in Summer, like today and cold in Winter.

Before starting a lot of preparation needs to be done, starting with my road trips and recording ideas. Scanning the landscape. I noticed I am in favor of wide open landscapes with often discarded objects. I am not sure if this stems from being Dutch, having spend half my life over there. Forests are no good, unless I can see trough or over.

Stillness and space is what I am after.

I believe they are accentuated by discarded man made objects. They also need to have the right contrast in terms of Light and dark.. I will take photographs or use water colours to take back to the studio. Watercolour is great as it is fast and I feel very comfortable using this media.

To give the canvas that same Stillness, I feel the need to simplify and abstract the painting. Focus on form, contrast and colour. Not being distracted by detail and receive a direct emotional response.

February 2010 Update

For those that don't know me that well I have added a link to a video taken of my last solo show at ATG.

In the future I will add some more information regarding my Felt Sculptures and other work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-5ZZA4GELo

At The moment I am working on my next show at Anita Traverso Gallery in Richmond. May 2010. This show will be of paintings,

acrylic on canvas and watercolour.

I have completed a couple of road trips which have been my main source of inspiration. Recently I have travelled to the High Country of which I

have added some pictures of scenes that I love.