LOOKING BACK 2010

MERRY X-MAS

DRIVING HOME FOR XMAS...

I love the postcards illustrated by Ed van der Hoek, especially his image of the teckel driving the Mini.

Illustration: Ed van der Hoek

Lately my teckel Bobje doesn't take 'NO' for an answer when i tell him to stay in the back seat while i'm driving....If it's up to him he even takes over the steering!

Note: we were going fast while parked safely on the ferry when i took his picture..

KNITTING TREND

It has been extremely busy last month with work on various projects in my home and a short 'escape' to Copenhagen.

In Copenhagen i wasn't just inspired by the monumental city itself, 

the fashionable people and the warm xmas atmosphere... 

I was immediately in love with the knitted items in the collections of all the beautiful Scandinavian brands. 

Not only for the innovative styling but also because of the high qualities.

Knitting has been popular for a while now and has even infiltrated it's way into interior design. A lot of it in a very humoristic way.

This short film made by Laura Neuvonen from Finland illustrates just how dangerous this addiction can become!

SOFT TONES FOR WINTER

WOONBEURS 2010

The colour groups that i included here are the ones that grabbed me the most. 

Ofcourse i am a huge fan of blue's so there was no escaping that. 

But more and more the reds and oranges are beginning to intrigue me. Especially when they are used in a surprising way.

When it comes to fashion & garments, bright colours will provide nice accents to all the greys and blacks that we have seen anyway. I will get back to that later!

WATCH THIS!

These were the preparations for the photoshoot of my friend Eline's very first home decoration book called 'Eline's huis'. 

The photographer has made a cute little slapstick film of us working on the set!

Next saturday she will officially lauch the book in Lelystad, read all about it on Eline's blog!

LIGHT MUSEUM UNNA

A very special experience is a visit to the Centre for International Light art in Unna Germany. 

It's the first and only gallery in the world devoted exclusively to Light Art. 

The museum is located in an old brewery and the various artists each give new meaning to the underground spaces.

The tour through the museum in small groups is escorted by a guide. 

If you are lucky you have a private tour! 

The idea behind the art is explained in a very nice way and there is time to ask questions and discuss your experience...if you understand the German language that is..

The artists which impressed me: Jan van Munster, Keith Sonnier, Mischa Kuball, James Turell and Olafur Eliasson.

Some installations make you aware of the fact that your perception can be different to reality.

One of my favourites surely was Christian Boltanski with his work called ' Dance of Death from the series 'Theatre d' Ombres'.

NEW HOME

Every day me and my dog Bobje pass the house of one of my neighbours who happens to have a huge collection of poodles in her little 'museum window'. 

I sometimes stop to have a quick peek but i always feel a bit shy...

Than one day i was strolling around at our local antique market and stumbled upon this cute little doggie on a table full of goods. We looked at each other...and i bought it.

The neighbour i did not actually know yet, or ever meet in the street, but i rang her bell and she loved the little purchase. So from now on i am happy to announce this lonely little poodle has a new owner and home as well as lots of neighbours.

CERAMIC MUSEUM

Whenever you are on your way to some place and you have a little time to spare, make it an enjoyable ride and stop over for some inspiration. On the way to Groningen i noticed this ceramic museum in Leeuwarden. It appears to be the only museum with just ceramics in Europe! If ever you are in the neighbourhood don't think twice and have a look inside!

I'VE GOT MAIL!

Look what i got in my mail today! A very nice postcard from a friend to illustrate how the women dress at the Sister's meal festival. Quite a lot of silver! but do pay attention to the large embroideries on their sleeves. If the rice does not impress...their dresses most certainly do!

2nd HAND TREASURE

My chinese birth sign is Dragon, this embroidery was clearly waiting for me in the second hand store. When i opened it's frame i found a sticker at the back with a written text as shown on the picture below.

The embroidery is made by hand by the Miao people from Shidong. It's probably silk for it has a very nice shine to it. The little knots at the back tell that it's handmade.

The Miao people usually wear big embroideries on their coats.

Shidong is famous for it's silversmiths who live and work there. Every year around 'april-may' there's a festival called Sister's meal. Rice is cooked and dyed in 5 colours. By the colour of the rice that is served, the men can tell whether a lady is interested in him or not.

CRUEL BEAUTY

A friend of mine introduced me to the surreal world of Marliz Frencken's sculptures about a year ago, i was hooked right from the start.

The bizarre beauties she creates are detailed and highly imaginative. Each and every one of her statues is unique.

She intergrates the element of chance in her work by using all kinds of "objets trouves" from everyday life to decorative or functionless gadgeds. 

The narrow dividing line between art and kitch sculped in beautiful female beings.Just about anything seems possible in this fairy-like world of metamorphosis.

An absolute must-have for me! 

CERAMIC COURSE

This summer i decided to take part in a ceramic course. 

The art of throwing clay on a wheel was playing my mind for a long time and a great challenge so it appeared. In 8 weeks we were taught the very basics, still lots and lots to explore...!

2nd HAND SHOPPING

I love strolling around in the 2nd hand shop. 

It's exciting to just enter with no expectations whatsoever and have your eyes do the job.

There's no thinking involved, when you see it you know it...

Besides collecting decorative off-white and blue, i found very nice sober ones too. 

Nice finds from the 2nd hand shop and market..

YOGA CLASS

Today i finalized a set of flyers for a new yoga school called Pureness yoga in Bloemendaal-The Netherlands

main flyer all classes

individual flyers for various classes

business card

 made this present accordingly...

BEACH TALK...

I took this picture some time ago and i wonder what we were talking about....

DORA

I'm in love with whippets in general, i like their character, think they are elegant and funny. But this girl in particular has stolen our hearts in an instant.

Her name is Dora, she's not only a beauty to look at but has a heart of gold

My dog Bobje can be very choosy when it comes to women, but no words need to be spilled, for him Dora has the XXX-factor.....!

MEIDEN MAGAZINE

Photoshoot for 'MEIDEN magazine'in my studio

MY BIRTHDAY

Birthday flowers

When i got up this morning the view from my home in Haarlem was magnificant..

PHOTOSHOOT

Assisting at my friend's shoot for her new book

Creative street studio

BIRTHCARD DESIGN

Great fun to do!... designing both birth cards for two beautiful girls Jill and Fay

Here she is...allready 1 year old!

 Jill's got a little sister now..