Happy Holidays & Upcoming Blog Posts 2016!

We are approaching the end of the year, so this is a good moment to give you a sneak peek of my upcoming blog posts and my creative ideas for 2016!

My Hometown “The Duke’s Forest”
In January, my family and I will be visiting our hometown ‘s-Hertogenbosch—literally ”The Duke’s Forest”. This city has a rich history and is located in the southern part of the Netherlands, just a 60-minute drive from Amsterdam. I’m really looking forward to seeing my family and friends, but also to visiting the old historic town as well as some interesting new urban development projects. More about “The Duke’s Forest” will follow in February of next year!

‘s-hertogenbosch (The duke’s forest) in the netherlands

The Poetic Landscape: 3-Day Studio Workshop
I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to participate in “The Poetic Landscape: 3-Day Studio Landscape Workshop for Pastel & Oil” with Barbara Jaenicke in the end of February. During this workshop, we students will learn how to add “the magic…the poetry” in a painting. I can hardly wait to explore “The Poetic Landscape”.

“Barbara Jaenicke holds Signature Memberships in Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society and the Pastel Society of America, is a member of the International Association of Pastel Societies Master Circle, and is a popular workshop instructor throughout the US”. ¹ For the curious readers, who may want more background about this great artist, feel free to visit her website at barbarajaenicke.com.

Portrait Painting
Besides my inspiring art classes at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, where I’ll focus on still life studies and landscapes scenes, I’m also eager to learn more about portrait painting. Since my visit to the Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton Township, I’ve been more and more interested in how to capture human figures and faces in a loose and gestural style. Although I’m very happy with some of my figure studies, I’ve noticed that capturing the facial expressions is another field of work—so here I see a new challenge for myself for 2016!

Creative Challenges Make Life Interesting!

My Traveling Paints
I’ve seen beautiful places in the US this year, which has given me lots of inspiration for my paintings. I still owe you my “traveling paints” of my fall foliage trip to Vermont & New Hampshire and my visit to Washington DC to check out the Cherry Blossoms. And for 2016, I hope to have the opportunity to visit more inspiring places, so stay tuned!

Fall Foliage Vermont & New Hampshire, Cherry blossoms Washington DC

It’s almost 2016!
I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank YOU for reading my blog and for all the positive comments, feedback, and support I’ve received! I very much appreciate it—keep reading my blog, sharing your thoughts and enjoying my art!

My family and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a creative 2016! (drawing: Anne-Fleur)

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Footnote

1. http://barbarajaenicke.com/about