Life is Art

Life Is Art is a south-Florida based non-profit corporation founded in January of 2009. Their goal is to help elevate the south Florida arts scene to a level comparable with other international artistic cities, such as New York and Paris. They do this primarily through the production of arts events: Art Shows, Fairs, Parties, Showcases, Networkers, Seminars, Workshops and more targeted at supporting south Florida artists and arts professionals. They provide opportunities for artists to grow and share their work, as well as learn about the business of being an artist and how to better make a living at what they love.

On June 18, 2011 the organization "Life is Art" will hold their fundraising party and it will be a night filled with art, music, fashion, performances and even free drinks. Also there will be a raffle for which I made a small painting (6 x 18 inch).

I made it in Acrylics and gold leaf and I called it "Life is Art".

And I apologize as this is not a great picture of the painting.... 

So if you are in Miami (or in the neighborhood) on June the 18th and want to support the arts come to the Surfcomber in South Beach, have a great time and don't forget to buy raffle tickets. You might end up with a real Monique Lassooij painting...

For more information go to: http://www.lifeisartfest.org/2011/05/28/the-big-fundraising-party-june-18-2011/

Two expositions in February!!!

Once upon a time there were two "call for artists". I entered my work for both the events... Yes I was feeling gutsy and you never know, right? 

And then I was juried into both events...

Tonight is the opening of the first event. It is the Cheesecake Pinup exposition and I have two small male nudes showing there (yes, MALE nudes.... why should all pin ups be female?). 

The show is at Galerie Jenner in Fort Lauderdale and will continue until March 31.

The second event I was juried into is the "River of Art"; an annual event organized by Life is Art here in Miami. The event is only one evening and every year 7 or 8 artists are selected to show one painting at the event. And there is my painting on the poster.... the third one from the right bottom row.

Meanwhile I am working on a new painting ...

Life is just wonderful...

A painting that I send to Holland

Last week I send a painting to Holland to a wonderful couple who just happen to be good friends of mine. They have this very special character at home and his name is Milan.

and this is his portrait of him.

 

Because I know they have received Milan's Portrait, I can now share it with you...

10 of 10 and a painting I am working on

Here is my little artwork for the book of Doreen. No the colors are actually different in the book but you know that I distort my pics so there will be an element of surprise when the owner of the book can see it him/her self.

Tomorrow I will dash off to the post office again but this time I will add something to the package. A wonderful initiative by Carmen. She has send me a book... to be honest she has send me a second book as well... I have read both of them but I will keep the first one... I just love the book and cannot part with it.
The second is a wonderful book as well. Now the deal is simple: read it and send it on... or don't read it and send it on... or (and here is a new "rule") read it and keep it... but find a nice book to pass on. That last part, I will submit myself to it and hopefully with the next shipment of the 10 of 10, I will pass on another book.

I love to read and I think it is a wonderful idea (thank you Carmen!!!)

During the last two weeks I was crazy busy and not always in the best way. But I did find time to keep painting and below is a painting I am currently working on... some of you saw the sketch on canvas in Ily's blog and here is the result so far....  it is not yet finished so it gives you another opportunity to guess what he is looking at...

MOCA Audience's Choice Recipient

Remember the presentation I did at the MOCA in Miami for the program "5 minutes of fame"?

My 5 minutes are being extended because I was chosen by the audience as the "Audience's Choice Recipient. And that results in one of my paintings being published on MOCA's website.

I am so freaking thrilled with that! Thank you everybody who voted for me in April and who supported me.

From freaking out to cloud 7

Yes, I was nervous. I could not deny it... and nervous was maybe an understatement. At the same time I was really excited about the opportunity to present my work at the MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) in North Miami.

And all my dear friends who came to support me told me that I had nothing to worry about... Excuse me? Who are you talking to? Sure, but I am the one who is standing there later this evening....

Anyway, I was the first one to present my work. I took a deep breath... the lights were off, the beamer on, the microphone was working and I... went on a roll. I talked about Holland -born and raised- and my first nudes that I painted here

I moved on to the "Fresh from the Fridge" series and then I actually heard a whisper from the audience "look how beautiful"... I was so relieved and realized that people were actually enjoying my work and my presentation.

Then I continued with the last 3 paintings in which I tell the story of my transition from Holland to Miami. 

I was glowing and so happy, especially when I received compliments for my paintings and my presentation. I was completely on cloud 7.

Click here if you want to view my latest work "Transitions".

5 MINUTES OF FAME

5 MINUTES OF FAME, a series that is part of MOCA by Moonlight programming, allows local artists to explain how and why they create their art.

Guess what? I am presenting my work on April 14, 2001.



I feel I have still a millions things to do and my stage fright is creeping up with each day passing. I get nervous just thinking I will do a presentation (yes actual talking) about my work in front of a group of people.

Yes, This painting by Edvard Munch really captures my mood : WHOAAAA!

Circus is fun!

Circus is an inspiring theme to paint and I had a lot of fun working on my painting.

Last night the opening of the "Circus Circus" group show at the Windisch-Hunt was also fun.
A large number of people came to the show which was filled with creations of more than 20 artists, each with their own interpretation of the theme.


And the evening was fun because...




There were acrobats...



And Acrobats...



And more Acrobats...



And good friends to see your latest work!

CIRCUS CIRCUS

The Gallery Windisch-Hunt Fine Arts in Coconut Grove had another great idea for a show: "Circus Circus".


And this is my entry for this show: "Hoops".



The show will start on February 6, 2010 at 7 pm and will continue throughout the month of February.

Come down to the Gallery to see my painting and many more Circus related work at the
Windisch-Hunt
2911 Grand Avenue
Coconut Grove, FL 33133

ART BAZAAR DECEMBER 5, 2009

And a few more paintings that will be for sale at the Art Bazaar, including a Brown Pelican as I will support the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station with every sale I make.

Hope to see you there!

"Fresh from the Fridge" goes to The Mutiny Hotel

Here are some of the paintings that will be for sale at the Holiday Art Bazaar on December 5, 2009.




















Besides the above paintings from the series "Fresh from the Fridge", I will put several nudes for sale.

10% of my sales I will donate to the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. This is a wonderful organisation dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in and around Miami's Biscayne Bay.
I have visited their facility several times and I have seen the great work they do.
(http://www.pelicanharbor.bizland.com/)

So if you are in the neighbourhood and feel like doing a bit of artistic Holiday shopping and at the same support a great cause, please come to see and buy my work at the


Holiday Art Bazaar
Exclusive, One Night Only, Meet the Artists, Buy Art!
Type: Music/Arts - Exhibit
Network: Global
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: The Mutiny Hotel, 2951 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133

Fresh from the Fridge

When I knew I would have a solo at the Focaccia Rustica in Coconut Grove, I also realised that this would not be the place to hang nudes. It is after all a family restaurant. And this implied that I had to come up with a new body of work. To be honest, I went blank at first. For days I stared at two empty canvases and all that came to mind were nudes.

One afternoon my partner asked me why I didn't start painting and I replied: " Paint what? I have no other subject on my mind than nudes."

He suggested to go out and look around the house, to see if anything would inspire me. But I am not a plein air artist - ok, I never tried it and the large amount of hungry, bloodsucking mosquitoes outside doesn't make it very inviting for me to try a landscape out there.


Then he said to me: "Why don't you look in the kitchen, maybe there is something in there that will give you ideas."

And so I did, not that I am normally so obedient, but I was blank and he tried to help me. I opened the fridge... nothing yet, no celestial flash of inspiration. Then I opened the vegetable drawer in the fridge and I saw a variety of fruits and vegetables, each with their own colours and shapes... and there it was... my source of inspiration: Fresh from the Fridge.


I know it will be a great show, ....if I can save my models from being eaten.