Sightseeing and setting up the apartment

We were settling into our apartment and decided we needed a few things.  As usual I write a list...desk for art, folding chair, tray for kitchen and patio table and chairs.  I told our landlady that we were having a party for my birthday and she lent us two chairs that she said we could keep on the patio...check got chairs.  We ride off to the hardware store to pick up the rest.  On the way we find a door that could be the desk and we just get some folding legs for under and that should be okay.  Arnt puts it under his arm and starts heading off on his bike.  I spy another pile of stuff (like New York you can put larger stuff out on the curb once a week) and in the pile is a desk for art, folding chair, tray for kitchen and patio table! I am not kidding...so we put down the door and took the rest!

Our Mantle

Folding Chair

Patio Table

Here are some photos of art we have seen so far...

 

Love this so much!


ARNT, ROB, SHARON AND I ABOUT TOWN....

Arnt as public art

Ride through Vondel Park

At the library

Gals wining in the window

Boys praying to the beer god!

Rob too big for boat!

Doorways have protectors

A visit to the oldest church in Amsterdam....

No nails in the stairway

Lots of wood in the ceiling and stone crypts in the floor.

 A trip to Zaanse Schans to see the windmills and old town....

An oil windmill and a sawmill windmill.     

Sawing up the log.

Making klompen

I got me a big pair of klompen

The end of a great day!

How did I get to be 60?

The first day of my 60th birthday started out great.  Rob and Sharon who came to be with us in Amsterdam and to celebrate with me came over and we all went to the Van Gogh Museum.

Stopped at a tree on our way home. 

We had a typical Euro lunch at our apartment....olives, CHEESE, sun dried tomatoes, great baguette, beets, beer and wine.   We had organized that we meet at the American Hotel for the beginning of the Birthday celebrations....the four of us walked over and met up with Rob and Rina.  As Rob and Rina were trying to figure out our table at the restaurant we said..."surprise it is a canal boat trip".  So we all jumped on Paradis and met our captain Ronald.

 

Paradis

Captain Ronald

Arnt driving boat

                   We picked up some lovely snacks to go with our Champagne and white wine!

                                    The gang cruising the canals...boats, bridges, architecture!

NEMO the Science centre

Amsterdam architecture

Film Museum

Bridges

 

Canal View

Typical Dutch Boyer

Indiaman Amsterdam replica

Canal work boat

After the canal boat ride we went back to our place and Arnt and I made supper for everyone.  I received great gifts...maple syrup from Canada, tomato, parlsey and marjoram plants for my deck, spices for my cupboard, homemade jam and sauce, a Van Gogh puzzle of the Almond Blossom painting to keep me amused, two purses, a journal and a great book, ...spoiled!  60 is not so bad....thanks to everyone for all the good wishes and fun times!

At Home in Holland

After a couple of hiccups we are finally in our new apartment.  The plane in London had "technical difficulties".  A bit unnerving to take off in a plane that you know that about but it was fixed and we were an hour behind.   We were pulled from the line in customs and almost were refused entry due to a technicality, but we made it.  Jet lag is not so bad but we needed a couple of days to just think about nothing after all the planning, packing, etc.  Our bikes are here and we are happy just to ride around shopping at out door markets, flea markets, watching boats and getting to know Amsterdam.  Our apartment is even better than we thought but alas not one piece of art on the walls (they are cement)....we will fix that somehow.  My studio is going to be set up in our large bedroom which opens up onto our deck.  I just have to get a table which will be a challenge on how to transport it here on a bike.  hmmm!  The following photos are some first impressions. 

Must get cheese!

For Evan

Souvineer Store

Flea Market Ball Gowns

How to move your stuff!

Rehearsal for symphony on a bridge..note floating audience seating.

Advertising!

Love those shutters.

Arnt too!

Outdoor market lunch purchases.

Taymor Industries Commission

Installed my commission of 4 big pieces for Taymor Industries corporate head office.  They started in the east side in 1948 and are still a family run business.  When the president told the employees that an installation of art was going to happen on Friday a couple of the employees asked what kind of paintings they would be.  She said you are going to be surprised.  They were!  Lots of great feedback and using their product was fun for them.  The head of the locks department said he could use my piece as a teaching tool.  I used basically the same product but made each piece individual for the separate departments.  
 I found the commission very challenging but so worth it.  I also want to acknowledge the help and support I had from my husband Arnt.  Some of the pieces were quite technical to assemble but with his expertise we figured it out.  Cutting faucets in half would not have happened without his experience. 
 When I showed the pieces at First Saturday Open Studios it was interesting to see who responded to which piece.  A lot of people recognized the progression in my work which is great for any artist to hear as it inspires one to create more art.  I am completely happy with this project.

Reflections

Ode to Mondrian

Waterflow

Lock up your Mandala

Ode to Bill Thomson (they did not order this one but I could not resist!)

Reception

Faucets Department

Locks Department

Bathroom Department

ARTWAY! www.theartway.ca taking a mixed media course with Denna Erickson.  My last class of 9 is tomorrow.  I went into the course wanting to know more about paint and how to get texture.  I definitely learned that.  I know some tricks for texture and I have now embraced the many colours of brown (for any of you who know me it is was not my favourite colour) and can now mix a few colours.   See my first two paintings below.  My next goal is to be able to sit in front of an old wall in Amsterdam and try to replicate it.  Will see how that all works out! 
.
 My commission of 4 large pieces is half way there.  Two done and other two designed and ready for assemblage.  I will be very nervous for the unveiling but pleased with my progress so far.  I will post photos of the final pieces here when they are finished.

Six weeks until our big move to Amsterdam for 6 months.  I will be reporting on our trip in my blog.  Going to try to do it once a week but every two weeks for sure

Artwork photos are all by me from my trip to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.
Bells: 24" x 24" wood panel, plaster, paint, matte medium transfers,  matte varnish finish, glass marbles and urchin quills.
Hand: 16" x 16" wood panel, plaster, paint, pour medium transfers, metal snowflakes, encaustic finish (wax).

BELLS

BELLS (detail)

HAND

HAND (detail)