Witty Art at people's homes: another Lost Bear (un)happy at home!

It's always great when a happy new owner of my artwork sends me pictures of what's now their very own piece of Witty Art. I always am happily surprised by the often creative ways in which many owners display my art at their homes. They go to great lengths of choosing the right spot or even specially creating one. 

Some know it straight away, others take a bit longer. Some will move stuff around Witty Art, others will make it blend in with their surroundings. But whatever they decide, it's always a loving, welcoming and often very thorough process. It's never random.

Over time, I have built up quite a collection of pictures of Witty Art at people's homes and/or offices.

The other day I received two snapshots by my fellow artist, theatremaker and director Irene Siekman, who purchased one of my 'Lost Bears', while they were on display during my soloshow at Hostel Ani & Haakien last autumn. I was pleasantly surprised to see this little Lost Bear being surrounded by the work of other Dutch artists: Theo Huijgens, Lody van Dulken and Karin Rianne Westendorp as well as a lovely vintage seventies' photograph of her parents.

The result is a very nice, very intimate little gallery up there. One, I think this little brave Lost Bear will be very proud to call his new family now!
 
And I absolutely love it!

Unapologetic, unfazed, uncompromised: Lost Bear stands tall and braves all!

As many of you know, 'Lost Bear' is one of my most personal series up to date. Now, most of my work is either somewhat or even highly, yet not overly personal - well, I'd like to think so, at least, otherwise no one would put up with it as there wouldn't be any room for the viewer's perspective at all! 

But, in any case, 'Lost Bear' is very close to my heart. Some people have even gone as far as stating that these drawings are, in fact, little self portraits of some kind.

So, are they? .. Well, I am not going to elaborate on that here, except that the feeling of being disconnected of the world and therefore in many ways adrift, even lost is not unfamiliar to me.

In an earlier blog, I described him as 'Perpetually Glad To Be Unhappy'. He certainly was back then, when I first created him, now almost two years ago. And he still is today. Now, that is not because he is one who likes to overindulge in drama but because he is intrinsically wired that way. It's his natural state of mind. He just isn't capable of being happy but that doesn't mean he is miserable. He's also very glad to be just who he is. 

Lost Bear has no desire what so ever to have happiness forced upon him like some kind of miracle cure. You won't see him participate in today's modern culture of 'having to be happy' at all cost, even when that means you are faking it and, with every fake smile, become even unhappier than you already were to begin with. 

I'd like to add that above anything else, this brave little Lost Bear is a survivor, none the less. He won't run. But he won't hide his pain and struggle either. He will stand tall and face the world, even if that world doesn't want anything to do with him. He will do so weeping, screaming, sobbing, yelling. He will do so laughing, smiling, grinning. He will touch you and make you smile. He will blow your mind and captivate your heart. He will do so because he is everything most ordinary people aren't.

Perhaps he's not for everyone - but he does not want to be, nor does he claim to be. Take him, or leave him, or leave him alone and in peace. But accept him for who he is. 

He is Lost Bear. Unapologetic. Unfazed. Uncompromised.

Lost and now found: another 'Lost Bear' off to a happy new home!

More wandering Witty Art found its way to a happy new home off late!And when I say ''wandering'', how can it be anything else than one of those ever wandering, glad to be unhappy ''Lost Bears''? Well, sure enough, here is another one of them little brave bears who managed to get himself a very a nice warm and happy new home. 

My dear friend Leon Keekstra, food and hospitality expert and a qualified barista trainer as well and in my home town Rotterdam also known as 'De Stadsbemoeial' (self-acclaimed City Meddler) spotted this little fellow ''Just Merrily Holding On'' during the opening of my autumn exhibition at Hostel Ani & Haakien last september. And he just to have it, so bought right there and then. 

It took a while, but the other day I was finally able to bring his very own piece of Witty Art to him - and as you can see on the picture below, he was ever so glad to receive it. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that his house will be the most welcoming for this once Little 'Lost Bear'!

Even a Little 'Lost Bear' is the colourful type in his own lost and found way

My series 'Lost Bear' is rapidly turning out to be one of my most popular ones. And I am very happy with that, as this brave little fella is really one of my own favourite Witty Art Characters, and perhaps one of those I hold closest to my heart. Now, someone once told me that most of my characters reflects various aspects of my own personality, and to an extend, that might be true but with 'Lost Bear', such is definitely the case - I have to be honest, to both you, friends and followers of Witty Art, and to myself. 

Now, there is a lot to be said about why 'Lost Bear' is so close to my heart that he actually embodies a great part of me personally, but I am still figuring out a way to share that with you, in such a way it feels comfortable for me, as an artist and as a person. But rest assured I will find a way. 

In the meantime, I can reassure some of you that not all is doom and gloom in 'Lost Bear's' world. Yes, lost he may be, but he is pretty good at the art of wandering and as I explained before in this earlier blog, he actually prefers it that way. 

So, here's some proof of the fact that even a Lost Bear is a colourful type, in his very own lost and found way .. new additions to the series, with some added colouring ;-)
 

Another 'Lost Bear' found a happy new home in the end!

Last night, I brought this little 'Lost Bear' ('Hey! Wanna Dance The Day Away?') to his happy new home, where a very proud new owner of Witty Art welcomed him warmly. Soon, I will hope to show a picture of this little ''lost and found one'' in his new surroundings! 

Bet he might even showing off some dance moves as well ;-) 

And, if you are interested, you can find more, many more 'Lost Bears' on this blog! Also, you can read here why he's basically perpetually glad to be unhappy!

Witty Art has left Ani & Haakien after a well recevied one-month soloshow

 
Today was the very last day of my solo showcase at Hostel Ani & Haakien. A selection of Witty Art had been on the wall since the opening on September 15th and after just over a month, it was time to pick up my work and make way for new art selected by Pica Pica 010. 

Also, it's time to take the two 'Lost Bears' I sold during the opening, to their happy new homes, as I know their arrival is eagerly awaited for by their new owners. More of that, soon! 

I'd like to thank the following persons in particular: 
Ani & Haakien's Joyce Brouwer and Danielle Linscheer for their hospitality and kindness, as well as all other staff of absolutely the cosiest hostel in town, and naturally, a special mention for Diva Suzy La Cubanita! 
Marcel Kamphuis from Pica Pica010 for organising it all! 
Alrizki Marino for making such a spontaneous video interview
All those who came by and had a look at my artwork, including all guests of Ani & Haakien whom I had the pleasure of meeting and exchaging thoughts on art, creativity and life. 

THANK YOU ALL!

 

Exhibition at private art gallery Lijnbaan 140 ends after almost 3 months!

 

On October 9th, private gallery Lijnbaan 140 The Hague organised a small, but quaint and cosy closer of the group exhibtion that had been on display throughout all Summer, from July 3rd. So, nearly a full 3 months later, it was time for one last gathering of the participating artists. And still, quite some people took the opportunity to go and visit the artshow and had a good look at the art displayed, including mine. Again, that made for some good conversations and some nice new contacts.

I would like to thank owner Ellen Tuyn for all the great work she put into organising the exhibition (while running her own AirBnB at the same venue at the same time), the other participating artists for sharing their work with mine and all visitors having come and seen all of our work and Witty Art in particular!

The good thing is, she decided to keep some Witty Art herself by giving one of my precious 'Lost Bears' a loving new home - which marked the beginning of what eventually will be The Lijnbaan 140 Art Collection. And knowing Ellen's taste for good art, this will no doubt grow out to be one collection you might want to see for yourself, one day!

Great opening at Ani & Haakien last night!

What a great opening it was, yesterday at Hostel Ani & Haakien. Perhaps not that busy, mainly due to the hot weather, but a perfect setting for a nice and cosy summer opening. And the people who showed up were all extremely interested in my work, which resulted some really touching conversations about my work and even two brandnew pieces sold!

Unfortunatley, due to traffic delays, one of the singer-songwriters that was scheduled to perform, could not make it, but the very talented Maria-Josephine made more than up for that. And there is nothing wrong with listening to some striking songs brought to life in a nice hostelgarden during a hot summer night.

And then there were two people who took the opportunity of getting some Witty Art of their own. First, my good friend and acclaimed 'citycreator & hospitality expert Leon Keekstra aka De Stadsbemoeial; and then one of my favourite Rotterdam theatremakers and directors, Irene Siekman both purchased a piece from the series 'Lost Bear'. And ofcourse, they had to strike a pose next their new prized possessions, soon to be handed over to them once the exhibition is over.

Some more people have expressed interest in wanting to see the exhibition, while it still on, so I hope many of you will come to visit the loveliest and funkiest Hostel in Town: Ani & Haakien, located in one of Rotterdams finest areas, The Oude Westen (just a five minute walk away from Rotterdam Central Station). The exhibition is still on until October 19th and the good news is, the hostel is open 24/7 ...

Many thanks to:
Pica Pica 010 / Marcel Kamphuis for organising it all
Hostel Ani & Haakien / Joyce Brouwer & Danielle Linscheer for their hospitality and a special thanks to Miss Suzy La Cubanita for being the most glamorous hostel kitty EVAH!
Maria Josephine for performing
Deborah van de Beld for, well, being you & all your support
My dear feline friend Lord Westenwind for getting his fur everywhere!
All of you who showed up to share this moment with me, thank you for your support & the great conversations!

Succesful viewing of expo at Gallery Lijnbaan 140 last sunday!

Yesterday's exclusive viewing of private gallery Lijnbaan 140's exhibition proved to be quite a success, with an interested crowd of visitors showing up in the afternoon and even one piece of Witty Art sold! One of the new 'Lost Bear' drawings went to one extremely happy new owner that afternoon. Now that he's no longer lost, but found, we wish him all the best in his happy new home.

Viewers expressed a genuine interest in my artwork, asking a lot of questions and exchanging thoughts and ideas on the images and characters on display. Something, I always really enjoy, as I love listening to what others think of my work and how they perceive it. Some more viewers came dropped by later that afternoon and their response too, was very open and enthusiastic.

The exhibition can be seen during the whole month of July. Lijnbaan 140 opens up by appointment only, though, so in case you want to drop by, please give owner Ellen Tuyn a ring beforehand: 06-48275148. She will be more than happy to show you around in person.

The exact address is Lijnbaan 140 (naturally), Den Haag (The Hague). You can get there by public transport easily via HTM lines 2, 3 and 4, stop MC Westeinde.

Witty Art proudly on display at Lijnbaan 140, The Hague

 
So, yesterday I went to The Hague to prepare my part of the exhibition in private artgallery Lijnbaan 140. It all went very well and extremely smooth as it turned out to be a perfect combination of both my work and that of Ellen Tuyn, the gallery's owner and a painter herself. Even though our styles and techniques couldn't be any different, we came up with a perfect arrangement for our artwork, which is complemented by the glass sculptures of Heidi van de Water; scrap art creations by Karin Nolmans and delicate porcelain art by Maya Wuhrmann. 

There will be an exclusive viewing of the exhibition on Sunday July 3rd from 11 to 14 hrs, Lijnbaan 140, Den Haag (The Hague).

After Sunday, Lijnbaan 140 is open by appointment only. If you want to visit the exhibition, please contact gallery owner Ellen Tuyn on her mobile: 06 48 27 51 48.
The exhibition will run untill he end of July. 

The selection on display as of tomorrow consists of seven older works, created back in 2014 and recent drawings, created recently over the last couple of months, even this very week! There's seven 'Singles', all of them shown during previous exhibitions but never together in this particular line up. 

Besides those, there is also a selection of new works from my series 'Lost Bear'. To be precise, ten in total and off them were created just earlier this week, especially for this exhibition! 

Also on display, in their very own special corner of the exhibition: a couple of smaller two-pieces and three-pieces from what is now called the series 'Lost My Bearings'. The latter, in fact, is more or less a spin-off of the 'Lost Bear'-series, but I will write more about that in a separate blogpost.

For now, I am looking forward to what no doubt will be a great opening tomorrow, and a chance to introduce Witty Art to some new friends and followers, as well as re-encounter some older ones!

New additions to my series 'Lost Bear', created especially for Expo Lijnbaan140!

May I proudly present to you all: ten new additions to my series 'Lost Bear', all made earlier this very week - when this picture was taken, the ink was barely dry! These ones were specially created for the art exhibition in private art gallery Lijnbaan140 in The Hague, which will open on coming Sunday July 3rd from 11 to 14 hrs. So looking forward to that!

Mijn selectie voor de expo in Lijnbaan 140 Den Haag is bekend!

(this post is in Dutch, more information on the exhibition in Lijnbaan 140, please click here)

De laatste dagen ben ik ook bijzonder druk bezig geweest met het selecteren van werk voor de groepstentoonstelling Expo 2.0. Dit is alweer de tweede expositie van Lijnbaan 140 te Den Haag, na de succesvolle eerste openstelling op 8 mei jl., inclusief een mooie selectie van Witty Art!

Na het doorslaand succes van de eerste openstelling op 8 mei jl. organiseert Lijnbaan 140 Expo 2.0 en nodigt iedereen van harte uit daarbij aanwezig te zijn!

Wanneer? Zondag 3 juli van 11.00 tot 14.00 uur
Waar? Lijnbaan 140, Den Haag.
Meer info? Bekijk de eventpagina op Facebook

Lijnbaan 140 presenteert: 

Verrassende en veelzijdige glaskunst van Heidi van de Water; scrap art van Karin Nolmans, die met restmaterialen kleine figuren maakt met wie je je direct verbonden voelt; de kleurvolle schilderijen van Ellen Tuyn, vervaardigd met diverse materialen; en natuurlijk Witty Art, met een selectie van eerder en nog niet eerder vertoond werk. Waaronder in ieder geval een selectie van Singles uit 2014 en zeker een aantal uit mijn serie 'Lost Bear'. 

Ellen en Karin zijn beiden verbonden aan Stichting Miaw (Make it art worthy) aan de Noordwal 18

Kun je a.s. zondag niet, de werken zijn tot het einde van de maand te zien op afspraak. Voor het maken van een afspraak, neem contact met op Ellen Tuyn van Lijnbaan140 via: 06 48 27 51 48.