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!

The Return of the Horned Beasts and a look at some Witty Art Inspirations

Recently, I created a whole bunch of new Witty Art. It's often that during those drawing sprees, affectionaly known as attacks of the Gotta Draw-virus, new characters manifest themselves in my work. And sometimes, old familiar ones reappear, sometimes having undergone some kind of make-over as their apperance has changed, due to a constantly developing signature style, the use of materials, the paper or canvas selected, etc. And sometimes just because, well, they can. 

A long, LONG time ago, while still studying at the arts academy, I developed a strong fascination for bulls, goats, deers, capricorns, any kind of horned animal or with some kind of antlers, big or small. It's hard to pinpoint where exactly the fascination comes from, but it's not an uncommon image in the history of art. We only have to think of the prehistoric rock art, also known under the more scientific name of Petroglyphs: drawings or carvings on rock, made by a member of a prehistoric people. 

When I first read about these drawings as a young child, I was immediately captivated by the boldness and directness of these images. So strong, so effective, not a trace of doubt, the artist then intuitively knew what he (or she?) had to do, where to start carving each line; and where and when to stop. Made with the most basic of tools and materials, and without having the luxury of being able to work by proper daylight, whilst working in a deep dark cave. It's that spirit of boldness and directness I try to strive for, to achieve in my own drawings - probably the fuel for my lifelong fascination for pen en ink and a strong desire to scratch and scrape on the surface of the paper, as if I were indeed carving into rock. Well, perpaps one day, I should - but that's for later. 

Another one of my earlier influences was the work of Israeli sculptor and painter Menashe Kadishman (1932-2015), who, in his youth, worked as a shepherd on Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch. According to Wikipedia, 'This experience with nature, sheep and shepherding had a significant impact on his later artistic work and career. The first major appearance of sheep in his work was in the 1978 Venice Biennale, where Kadishman presented a flock of colored live sheep as living art.^[4] In 1995, he began painting portraits of sheep by the hundreds, and even thousands, each one different from the next. These instantly-recognizable sheep portraits soon became his artistic "trademark'''

'The Sacrifice of Isaac' by Mensahe Kadeshman (1985-1987)

I remember that I visited a bookstore here in Rotterdam and found myself in the art books section, which was not unusual, although I seldom bought one as they were (and still are) bloody expensive. But, a small booklet caught my eye. On the front it had a picture of the massive iron cast sculpture of a ram's head. The image got to me and I was hooked. Hooked on the powerful image of this horned animal's head. Turns out, it was one of the many huge iron sculptures from his series 'The Sacrifice of Isaac' (approximately 1985-1987), which adresses the violence of society and the destructive forces within the so-called civilized world. It made a huge impression on me and I remember, I spent a great deal of  my time working out how to draw sheep's faces and bull's heads. More so, I remember the frustration of the result being a far cry from how I imagined it to be (sorry, no pictures available, and even if I had them, I doubt I'd show them here).

That was a long time ago. I moved out of the arts, and then, after a long time, got back into them. But up till recently, no sign of the Horned Ones. Not a single trace. Up till a couple of weeks ago. There they were, making their appearance, out of no where. And I can tell you, their presence was as powerful as it was back then. And this time, no struggling on how to draw them, capturing them turned out to be whole lot easier now. Perhaps the Horned Beasts are a bit tamer this time? Or is it only make believe and are they fooling me and being as illusive as ever. Well, only time will tell as I am determined to follow their call and explore their presence and see where they will guide me and my work.

''She Will... Always Be Your Mama'' in her happy new home - and that feels great!

My previous blogpost was dedicated to 'She Will Always Be Your Mama' moving to a happy new home. Very recently, I got the opportunity to see her on the wall of the proud new owner of this piece of Witty Art. And as always, that left me feeling extremely proud and grateful for people who show their support and apprecation of my work. By not just purchasing it for the sake of having to have it, but because they truly care about it.

And by showing they care, they are taking care of it, making sure it is displayed in the right way, in the right place. It's like a sense of belonging, somehow, and to me that matters a great, great deal.

You see, for a variety of reasons too personal to convey at this moment, or perhaps at any time at all, that feeling 'belonging' is a matter of great importance to me. In fact, I can safely say, it's one of the every present themes in Witty Art. 

Anyway, to know that my artwork belongs somewhere, makes me one happy artist, and all the more motivated to keep on creating more Witty Art!

'She Will... Always Be Your Mama' spotted and SOLD!

Just posting some random selection of work I created over the last two months - with one of the artworks pictured above even being sold without ever having been on display, except on Instagram, where it was spotted by a long-term Witty Art follower! Apparently, she had wanted to purchase one for a long time, but was never really able to make choice (a dilemma I've heard a lot of Witty Art fans going on about) - untill she saw this one: 

Now, this buyer is a devoted mother of two herself, and knowing the great pride and joy she takes in her kids and how protective she is of them, yet also carefully encouraging them to make their own mistakes and learn from it, slowly letting them out from underneath her wings, but always there and prepared to cover them up if need be - I can see why she was instantly drawn to this particular drawing. 

And yes, I did make this drawing with the echo of my own mother firmly in the background, an vivid image of the powerful bond between a mother and her child, as I myself, the youngest from a family of six, always knew and for always will know, that 'She Will Always Be MY Mama, no matter what...''.

So, I was one extremely happy and proud artist when I got to hand over this piece of Witty Art to its happy new owner, as this moment, for me, added a new layer to the drawing, a new chapter to its story. And from here, it will continue to grow even further. Well, who's the proud mama now, huh?

 

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!

De PDF van mijn Straatnieuws-interview is online!

(for my English followers, please scroll below for a brief summary of this blogpost)

In een vorige blogpost schreef ik over het interview met mij voor Straatnieuws Rotterdam-Den Haag, het maandelijkse magazine over, met en voor dak- en thuislozen. Goed nieuws voor diegenen die 'm gemist hebben: de voorlaatste editie van Straatnieuws, met daarin het interview met ondergetekende, staat nu online!

De PDF is nu beschikbaar via de Straatnieuws-website of hier op dit blog.

Voor diegenen die liever meteen het interview met mij willen lezen, zie hieronder of download de PDF er van hier op dit blog.



Nogmaals veel dank aan interviewer Kim Meeuwissen voor de kans om mijn verhaal te mogen doen en het respectvolle en integeren wijze optekenen daarvan. Want, het is zeker niet altijd makkelijk om zo open en eerlijk over mijn situatie te kunnen, te mogen zijn. Hoewel ik altijd positief probeer te blijven en mij realiseer dat mijn situatie niet onoverkomelijk is en het altijd stukken erger kan, is het net zo goed een continu uitdaging om de kop niet te laten hangen en vooruit te kijken.

Zonder de steun van een aantal bijzondere personen zou ik dat ook niet zeker niet gekund hebben - en nog steeds niet kunnen. Want het is nog niet gedaan. Ik ben zeker op de weg terug, en uitermate gemotiveerd om te blijven ondernemen en vanuit dat ondernemerschap bij te blijven dragen aan weliswaar ludieke maar ook maatschappelijke relevante projecten, zoals ik doe met en voor Studio PuRRR, Dogparade010, Stage Alliantie en 010StageMarktplaats, Radio Brasa, de Zorgvrijstaat Rotterdam-West, etc.- ik ben er nog niet.

En bij alles houd ik in gedachten de inspirerende quote uit de zogenaamde speech van auteur J.K. Rowling voor de jaarlijkse meeting van The Harvard Alumni Association in 2008, getiteld: “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination,” at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association:

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

En daar kan ik me alleen maar een volle 100% bij aansluiten - net zoals bij al het overige uit deze speech, die het belang benadrukt van durven en kunnen falen; en van de verbeelding als bron voor nieuwe inspiratie en inzichten. Bekijk de volledige speech hieronder.



For my English followers: In a previous blogpost I wrote about the interview with me that was published in the Dutch version of 'The Big Issue''': the monthly paper Straatnieuws Rotterdam-Den Haag, a magazine published on behalf of and sold by homeless or vulnerably housed people. Now that a new issue has been released, the edition featuring my interview has been published online, too. Unfortunately, this interview is in Dutch only for now, but I am working on a translation or at least a brief summary of it in English.

But, what I can and will share with you now, is the fact I drew much inspiration and strength from a quote from author J.K. Rowling, when she delivered her Commencement Address, “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination,” at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association:

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” 

Speaking from having been and still bouncing back from my very own rock bottom, I could not agree more.