I have always been intrigued by the phenomenon of human/material existence. The existential principle of being 'alive'. So, as a result of this attraction I have chosen for a life in art. Drawing and painting were the only things that felt natural to me. After some distractions (studying Law at the University of Amsterdam, travelling S.E. Asia) I cut to the chase. I defined my goal: getting as close as possible to the source of life itself. Aware of the limitations of my brain and the shortcomings of my emotional bagage I set off to train my techniques at different Art Academies in the Netherlands. Years of meditation, more travelling followed after this and in my late thirties I finally started to feel like a person who might have something to share on a believable level in the world of art.

Over the years I had had some exhibitions here and there. The big step forward was made by hiring my own gallery/studio in the heart of the Amsterdam Contemporary Art District (Jordaan area) in 1999.  Surrounded by established galleries (like GRIMM Fine Art, Diana Stigter, TORCH, Serieuze Zaken, etc..) my work came alive. And the public responded. Having put my painters easel behind the glass window of my studio (and an open door)  I had unlimited access to the comments of interested people. Artlovers, arthaters, insiders, outsiders. All communicated. About my motives, choices, techniques, prices and so on.

Joyful, colorful work emerged. My DOGPAINTINGS and HAPPY WOMEN did very well and confirmed my growing sense of legitimate artistery.

In 2006 my daughter Lente was born. As any parent will confirm, a (maybe the) major happening in human life, besides being born and dying yourself. For about 2 years I wasn't able to draw or paint a decent work. Having a lot of 'free time' I looked after her most of the time (my girlfriend having a 9-2-5 job). And then I started to paint again. In black and white mostly. Combining my initial love for drawing and materialistic painting. Figurative, direct.

I called this work the EXISTINTENSITY series. A big change in style. Themes I used from close to my private life. Sex, love, aggression, frustration, sorrow, purity, joy, extacy and more.

So, now (October 17 2009) I have a decent quantity of paintings that are waiting to be exhibited and to be seen by a wider audience. My studio/gallery is way too small for the right exposure of these works (on average 100 : 100 cm). I am open for suggestions/possibilities but very aware of the limited space available to worldwide professional painters. Anyhow, I invite you to have a closer look and to respond to me and my work on this BLOG.

Also, I like to introduce you to my EXISTCAM PROJECT. A video-art project derived from the responce to my painting WITNESS (see picture below).

Screaming as the ultimate expression to establish your existence in life, as a human being. Please have a look at www.existcam.com, the EXISTCAM PROJECT.

Thanks, enjoy your existence, feel free to share mine ;;

Joep