GRRRR, WOOF WOOF!!

Two weeks ago I was sitting on a bench waiting for the bus to come. Just minding my own business trying to solve a Sudoku. An old lady sits down next to me and says: "Hello!" with a cheerful voice and tries to hand a flyer to me.

"No, thank you. I am not interested."

"Do you have the Holy Bible?" (same cheerful voice)

"No, I don't."

"Let me read you from the Holy Bible."

"Please don't, Mam. I am not interested."

"But I have to read to you. To save you."

"Do not read to me, Mam, and please do not save me."

Of Course she takes her bible out of her handbag and flips it open at the chapters of Revelation and starts reading out loud from it.

I, on the other hand, return to my sudoku and decide that nice looking "reli-grannies" are at the same level as mice: they look nice - some even cute - but in reality they are a pest.

To make a long story short, after her reading to me we ended up in a little argument and the conclusion that we will both end up in Hell: she for not respecting her fellow human beings and I  because I am not saved.

A few days later I am waiting (whole different location) for the bus to arrive. I see three reli-grannies coming towards the bus stop. One walks to me with her arm stretched to hand me a leaflet. I turned towards her and start to growl. Softly first, then curl my upper lip, growl louder and finish it with a nice aggressive bark.

The woman jumps back, puts the leaflet in her handbag and returns to the other reli-grannies.

IT WORKS! Hallelujah!

From now on, whenever one of the reli-grannies comes to near me, I will bark at them. No more discussions, no more patiently telling them that I do not wish to be saved. From now on it will be:

"GRRRRR, WOOF WOOF!"

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.

Fake new moralists

In the capital of Belgium, Brussels, is the Academy of Arts. As it happens in the same building as the Academy is an elementary School. The two schools each have their own entrance and students don't mix at all.

In April 2010 a Public Worker of the city of Brussels entered the Academy and "castrated" all the male nude statues there. These gypsum statues were used as models for the art students. The reason why he did this - according to "De Telegraaf" a Dutch newspaper - was that he didn't feel it was right that the children of the elementary school could be exposed to male nudes. 

(Note: the two schools had two separate entrances... exposure how?)

When I read this, I was furious. Here is an example of the fake moralists who think it is OK to destroy other's people property because it doesn't suit their "new" morale. What's next? We have to cover all the nudes in the Sistine Chapel? Maybe wrap a cloth around the David of Michelangelo?

Why do they feel it is their right to impose their fake new moral upon us?

10 of 10 - second artwork

Here is my artwork for the 10 of 10 book of Carmen. I cut out some pieces so Carmen will still have some surprise left when she gets her journal back in October. For now she will have to fill in the blanks.

Looking at her beautiful work in this journal I wanted to add in a certain way and I went for an Art Deco theme. I live in Miami and I see the Art Deco Architecture practically every day. How can one not be inspired? 

Talking about inspiration, maybe I will surprise one of the 8 journals / bloggers with an artwork about Holland... you know windmills, cows, tulips...the works..lol

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!

HAPPY EASTER !

Outside the sun is shining. 

I am hear the Hitman is cooking in the kitchen and it smells really good.

I hope your Easter is just as wonderful as mine!

HAPPY EASTER!