Origami pixie boots - Sintlaars

Everyday in the run up to Christmas the Etsy blogs from the Netherlands, France and Germany are sharing creative projects in an advent calender. Today the 4th door was opened and this is a project  from atelier28! How to make little booties from a serviette (napkin). They look so cute decorating a Christmas dining table and are really easy to do. Here is how you make them...click on photo to enlarge:

new! mini canvas prints

I just went to pick up these mini canvas prints from the printer. I'm really pleased with how they've turned out. They are all prints made from our own paintings (oil on canvas). I stretched the canvases myself over tiny wooden frames. They measure 10 x 10cm and 15 x 10cm and look especially cute as a collection. They've now all been assembled, photographed and are on sale in my etsy shop.

windmill on the horizon: commission of a painting on a harpsichord

Last year I posted a video showing the making of the painting Francesco made in commission on the harpsichord of Jan de Viet and now the whole lid has been completed. The part on the left above the keyboard has just been assembled on the harpsichord and now the scene is really complete. It's a beautiful instrument to see and listen too. Jan de Viet has his studio in the old Townhall here in the centre of Tholen where he gives his lessons.

a vase of snow drops: painting from the art classes

We finished this seasons art classes this morning and as we approach the festive season and the days get cooler and shorter I thought this painting compliments the time of year well. It was made by Margreet from our Friday morning class. She's been working on it for the last couple of weeks and I love the colours...the warm reddy brown and cool minty green. I think the technique that she used for the background with the layers of colours works well with the precision of the vase and berries. Beautiful...

meditative landscape watercolours

Dreamy landscapes where land and water are full of the colours of the sky and the two melt into one...  This latest selection of watercolours try to capture those fleeting magic moments at the start and end of the day.

laughing-on-sea: new painting of ladies from Zeeland

A good ole belly laugh while paddling in the sea... This is a recently finished oil painting (20 x 20cm) of two ladies wearing the tradional clothing from Zeeland (Zeeuwse klederdracht) enjoying their time at the seaside!

little folding photo books

I've just had these pocket photo books made by Albelli of a few of my recent paintings. I'm really pleased with them! They are cute and small to keep in my bag and the quality of the printing is great too. Thick card with a good shiny finish and linen cover. I'm sure I'll be ordering more...

The studio kitty: new paintings

Meet our studio cat Moeki. It's nearly a year now since we brought her home from the cat shelter in Zierikzee and she is one of the family, hanging out with us in the art centre and getting in all the hidy holes. She has such a sweet little face I couldn't escape making a series of oil paintings. These are all 13 x 18 cm...I'm sure more will follow!

who ate all the pies?

I was inthe mood for pie baking last night. I thought I'd try a pumpkin pie, for the first time! I found a great recipe in the yoga journal and there was an apple and cranberry pie in there too...so I gave that a whirl. Pretty tasty!

The cafe and the butterflies: new work from the art classes

Yesterday, we had our Friday morning art class. The class is a mix of people working in watercolour and acrylic and two of the watercolour artists have been working on these pieces the last few weeks. Above is a cafe scene from Coby. It was an experiment to try it in black and white since she had already painted a beautiful serie of similar scenes in colour. You can just get lost in the detail!

And this is a beautiful delicate piece from Jannie. I love the contrast and freshness of the colours and the form of the design. It looks stunning framed in!

"Tholen's bursting with creativity" atelier28 in the news

We've been in the news a lot round here lately. A couple of people who've attended out art classes have had articles written about them. Liesbeth Romeijn has an exhibition of her work in Sint Maartensdijk. She make mainly portraits in watercolour using a limited palet of colours to emphasise the expressions in the faces. The most challenging were portraits she made of her 3 young children...because they're so honest if they don't like it!

Marianne Asselbergs' had a lovely article written about her work. She paints mainly using acrylic and has a beautiful impressionist style. Nature, and in particlular the sea, are often subjects that she gravitates to. It's great to see her work being featured!

Sjors van der Wulp also had a large feature in the local Eendrachtbode about his photo exhibition in KunstCentrum Tholen. The article explained how Sjors was drawn to Tholen for inspiration which led to his series of black and white photos. I particularly like the main photo of Sjors heading the piece!

new exhibitions: photos and etchings

We're back in action again after a wee break before the season of art classes begins. This week we're beginning and along with all the courses we have a few treats exhibiting in the KunstCentrum (art centre).  Sjors van der Wulp, a local photographer, has a stunning display of back and white photos featuring scenes from around the island of Tholen, where we live. Capturing the atmosphere of unexpected as well as everyday moments was important to Sjors. I particularly like the hen!

Some months ago I came across the work of fellow etcher Emily Riley from Portland, Oregon in the USA. I fell in love with them as soon as I saw them. They are pretty small, about 5cm square, and packed with mesmorizing detail. The expressions on the children's faces radiate a kind of magic.

The art works will be on display in the KunstCentrum for the next couple of months. We're open Tuesday - Friday 14.00 - 17.00 and Saturday 11.00 - 16.00. Sometime's we're in atelier28 a short walk away...just pop in and say you'd like to see the exhibition...we look forward to welcoming you.

art market in Tholen

Today there was a small art market on the market square in Tholen. I packed up the bike and trailer...handy living so close. We had bright, warm sunshine all day...at last some summer weather!

art market in Middelburg

We had a great Sunday on the art market in Middelburg, by the Abbey. Here are a few photos of our stalls. We were, of course, demonstrating how etchings are made too... 

We're in Veere again on Tuesday...

taking a drive to a country cottage: paintings from the art classes

We may be in the middle of the summer break but on Saturday's the KunstCentrum is still open for our class participants to continue their work. Above is Marie's latest painting of an Irish cottage. A proper chocolate box cottage!

Below are 2 paintings Steven made a few weeks ago. Made using different techniques (left: with a palet knife, right: using paint brushes). They just make me smile...

more harbour town watercolours

I've added some new harbour town watercolors to my etsy shop...I just love little towns filled with houses perched on the edge of a harbor or the sea...these new ones have sign posts pointing to 'home' and the 'beach'. 

colourful landscapes, Erasmus and an iris: paintings and etchings from the art classes

A couple of months ago I shared some art work from our art classes and in particular work from Yvonne who's now completed her first 8 week course with us. Above are her latest pieces. Both measure 80 x 100cm and exude colour. She used a natural sponge to add texture, especially in the trees. They are a joy to look at...

These are etchings from the etching class. Above is an etching from Alexander of Erasmus. After the line etching was made, the plate was treated with an aquatint, covered with a spirit varnish and placed in the salt bath for varrying dregrees of time to accentuate the hat and keep the face clear. The great thing about that contrast is that when etching ink is applied, it's also possible to add different coloured inks (as can be seen in the image top left). However, even with one colour the depth is still visible. Below is an etching from Adri that I really enjoy printed with blue etching ink. A little bit like Delft blue...?

etsy in flow magasine

It was great to see the 'Etsy Courant' in this month's Flow...hopefully we'll see a few more Dutch etsy shops!

more photos from the Historical market in Veere, Zeeland

Every Tuesday we've been demonstrating how etchings are made on the historical market in Veere, Zeeland (the Netherlands) wearing, of course, the local costume. Here are a few more photos from the last few weeks...