We travelled south to our favourite region in the world: the Basque country. Mountains, waves, fairy tale cities.
We work in the mornings, then go where the surf is, let Bëor run, and work some more in the late afternoon before we set off to watch the sunset somewhere.
During one of these days, I read about the art of Jan Mankes and how his paintings are poems written in colour. There’s something about his work and this description that catches me. As I sit near the sea, I play with my watercolours to find out what it would be like to write poetry in colour.
Text continues after featured artwork
Mineral Flow
To me, this artwork tells the story of what is left behind, the residue of flow, and how beautiful the remnants are of how we lived and walked. Natural mineral watercolour on paper, 30 x 40 cm.
Writing poetry without words
At other moments, I watch as my dog plays in the sand, and my love catches waves. I wonder about the meaning of “poetry” and if our movements on this earth, if not for survival but for thriving, are not a way of writing poetry with the joy of living.
Coincidentally, I’m rereading City of Glass by Paul Auster. The protagonist follows someone through the city. As he traces their trajectory on a map, he reads a message that’s almost meaningful.
What is a seemingly random trajectory, turns out to be a secret code.
The beauty of this book, is that in the end it makes no difference. Even though the letters form words that mean something in this context, in the end it is not important.
Still, our lives leave a trace and I like the idea that from a different perspective, there is something playful, temporarily meaningful, and something connected in our ways.
Text continues after featured artwork
Oasis
The desert series starts out friendly and colourful – the desert, the mountains, the oasis and the footsteps in the sand. I’m rereading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and feel that the sands have something to say. There’s a road to travel that others have gone before.
I hope you’re doing well and enjoying the light and life of spring. And I hope your traces on this earth feel like playful poetry these days.
Custom artwork this year
I’m incredibly grateful to my customers this year so far! Above you can see three of my pet portraits, but also a soft pastel portrait that was ordered as a special ‘thank you’ gift. The last two artworks are currently in Chicago, on their way to Texas… for the last one to be gifted to someone in Australia. The wonders of the global world!
Aside from these, publishing house AnkhHermes asked me to make the illustrations inside De Tao van Verlies, and recently Rowena de Wit announced her newest book De Draken van de Verandering that carries my art on its cover!
Thinking of commissioning me for a special piece? Let me know, I love creating art for gifting! If you prefer to have a quiet look first, I have an information page here.
Moreover, I’m happy to share that City Lights has sold and found its new forever home.
That’s it for now – until the next!