Double retroactive inspiration
A series of blogs about my favourite subject ‘retroactive inspiration’, needs an update!In an newspaper I saw a beautiful picture of a 60 years old
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Early works
In 1993 I collected pictures from newspapers of people who were in some way ‘in action’. After I had a bunch of good mugs, I played around with the copying-machine to resized the pictures to my liking. Then I stuck them together in a way as if they are looking towards you.
What about originality?
Before the start of a new painting I thoroughly search the internet for images that could be interpreted as similar to my idea. If I find one, than the inspiration is instantly quenched.
Art is a case of passing on
Some artists state that their artworks are their children. And they find it hard to sell them.I think I understand what they try to say. In some way an artwork shows features about the artist which can’t be defended or protected any more, as soon as the work is released to the wide world. Just like a child.
The simmering pot
A few days ago I saw a picture on Facebook of a building made out of living trees. The branches were led and trimmed into the shape of a life-sized church. The structure was complete open and the inside of the building was usable as a sheltered area.
How do you come up with these ideas?
This question is the most asked and the most difficult to answer. My reply is probably quite unsatisfying. Maybe people expect that I can give them one trick, a secret or a recipe. Some people may think an artist is suddenly frozen by a beam of light, called inspiration …
Real life beats fantasy
Again I saw an appearance in nature that I painted years before I had seen it in real. Or even ever thought it would exists in real.
The Eastern Cape of South-Africa
Massively hanging out and broadly sitting along the motorway apparently seems to be a regional daily activity of the locals. It is not really appealing to stop your car between them and peacefully eat your lunch. The amount of waste along the roads is really baffling.
Bosco verticale
This week I stumbled upon a picture of Bosco verticale. A vertical forest set on a building, designed by Boeristudio in Italia. Putting their image beside my painting I could add another story to my imaginary prides.
Kolmanskop the ghost town
In the silent, hot weather with a gusty wind what caused a kind of yellow/grey hazy view ‘ghost town’ was a perfect characterization. A true paradise for photographers and location scouts.
Quivers and titties
As we drive into the field of these special trees, I understand why I had to come here … they are true real-live ‘Lubeck Trees’!
Populus Flucta in real
When we visited Namibia I finally saw the social weavers in real.
Pantone colours
Today I received something in the mail I wanted to own by myself for ages. I always found it a kind of ‘tool’ not intended for me. I stole a few of them …
A TooHot painting
The PAL design contest got a funny afterbirth 😀
The organisator of the contest asked me to create a painting in commission, as a tribute to this event.
Retroactively inspired
Normally; first there is my painting … and then Mother Earth imitates me with a pale shadow of my created treasures. That’s how it happens all the time!
On my easel now
If the berries are left to weather, the lampoon turns into this wonderful delicate gauze allowing a good peek at the berry itself. I used this visual effect in a slightly different form.
Alien invasion
… My next thought was that I had stumbled across some freshly landed aliens ready to roll their way into the world…..
What about inspiration?
13 March 2008 People often ask me about my inspiration. To be quite honest, the conceptual stage of my art is often more elimination than