Valta's Blog | valta.nl

  Another summer show Some exciting news! Two of my paintings, which capture details of the exterior and interior of the historic Sorgdrager House, have been selected by the Amelander Musea for a summer exhibition at the Sorgdrager Museum. I am very proud to have my work represented there with pieces titled " Bij Sorgdrager " and " Downstairs VII ". more soon   

A Gorgeous Sitter   I finally completed a portrait study of Paul. It began with a sketch I made a few weeks ago, and after putting in several hours of work today, I finally felt satisfied with the result. I hope to paint more portraits of this sitter in the future. Paul . Oil on cardboard 19 x 25 cm. View the finished painting in my  gallery . 

Zomer Vol Kunst, 2025 Edition photo credit: amelandinbeeld.nl For the third consecutive season, the Amelander Musea and the Amelander Kunstenaars are collaborating on the exhibition "Zomer Vol Kunst" (Summer Full of Art) at the Amelander Cultuurmuseum in Nes. This year, the museum's exhibition has been expanded to include new themes such as island traditions and cultural events, alongside a selection of beautiful paintings and graphic artworks from the museum's collections.  I am delighted to participate once again in the temporary group show of the Amelander Kunstenaars at the museum with my piece "Downstairs XIII" (aka the " Sewing Girl in Anchers Hus "). I am also proud to have contributed to the organisation of the show and to have taken part in the new interior design and arrangements for the permanent exhibitions at the museum.     

Back to landscape   I have long wanted to paint a seascape again. Recently, I found an old beach access photo in my archive that even features horses and riders. I decided to omit some details, including the people in the photograph, to create a calmer composition. The scene is very recognisable for the Dutch coast and especially for our island, which is also home to over five hundred domestic horses. Well, I'm quite pleased with the result. Paardenmeisjes. Oil on canvas board 30 x 40 cm. View the finished painting in my  gallery . 

Four Artists Exhibition The fourth edition of the annual Three-Day Art Show at Stalhuus in Hollum attracted a nice and significant crowd. Once again, we welcomed over 300 interested visitors, which is quite impressive for a weekend in a small village.  This year, I was pleased to invite and showcase artworks by Klaas Nobel , featuring his most recent landscapes and wonderful etchings; Mathilda van der Weij , renowned for her fabulous illuminations and calligraphy; and Kayleigh Gwen , who displayed marvellous historical costumes. I myself presented sixteen paintings from my series Hands' Private Life . Happy with the lovely reactions and interest from visitors.  Here are some impression photos of the event:

Sunlit   A portrait of my friend, family member, and fellow artist,  Mireille van Kempen .  Mireille. Alla prima, oil on canvas 30 x 24 cm. View the finished painting in my  gallery . 

  Studying  I believe that practice is the best form of learning, and master copying is the most effective to practice while studying. Since we always (aspire to) learn, I find that copying a masterpiece that inspires you is an excellent method to achieve this.  In essence, master copying is not about creating perfect replicas; instead, it's about gaining a deeper understanding of artistic principles and techniques. It's a valuable tool for any artist seeking to improve their skills and expand their knowledge.  From time to time, I will update this post with my new master copies. Here is the latest one: May 2025 After J.C. Leyendecker painting "Couple on Deck Chairs. 1904" I have been fascinated by the works and biography of this great Golden Age artist for a long time. Recently, I finally read a beautiful book titled simply, "J.C. Leyendecker", written by Laurence S. Cutler and Judy Goffman Cutler. His name and influence were most prolific; his private life...

Studying   "Are you so in love with yourself that you paint self-portraits?" "I won't paint myself; people might think I am too proud." Have you ever heard comments like those? Well, I certainly have.  Practising is what really important to develop your painting skills. As I now begin exploring portraiture, I need to practice painting heads, figures, and faces as much as I can.  Making master copies of the works by painters you admire is a great way to learn. However, at a certain point, you need to create your own work, preferably painting a model with whom you have a personal or emotional connection. While we all have family and friends, there is little chance they would spend hours sitting for you in the light and setting you would want to capture. Sometimes, you are lucky enough to take or find a photograph of them that fits your portrait plans.  That's if you are lucky. What if not? Fortunately, there is a brilliant and simple solution: a self-portrait....

  Back to Hands This time, not my own hands but a study in black and white after a picture (actually a still from a reel) by an unknown to me author. I wanted to explore whether and how it is possible to combine a monochrome image with a colorful detail in oil paint. Cheers! Let's sarcastically call it "In Whisky Veritas". Alla prima, oil on canvas 24 x 30 cm. View the finished painting in my  gallery . 

   Two Rooms at Two Castles These two paintings were done entirely with palette knives, without the use of brushes. While recently re-reading the famous book "Alla Prima" by Richard Schmid , I came across his advice to practice more with a palette knife. This idea seemed both fantastic and daunting at the same time:   "...There is no limit to what can be done with a knife. The best way I know of to learn how to use it is to lock away your brushes for several weeks and paint only with a knife. I warn you that it will be extremely frustrating at first, but don't give up. The difficulty is normal. If you haven't used a knife before, you will feel like you are crippled - like a right-hander doing everything with the left hand or vice versa. However, it is worth every ounce of pain and effort. The ability to use a knife well is like having a whole new language..." So, I needed to try it out, and I must say, it is not only tricky and frustrating but also great fun...