Valta's Blog | valta.nl

Going on with (female) hands Thinking of autumn and the fun that nature on our island brings to those who can appreciate it, this time I tried to paint the hands that are busy with some pleasant labor.  I still believe hands are the most expressive part of a human body when it concerns a story to tell, an emotion, a feeling. I think it's hard to imagine the person in this painting is unhappy or sad, or angry. I rather could imagine she is smiling. Couldn't you? That's what intrigues me in human hands, that's why I like to paint them.  I tried to keep my brush strokes loose (still very uncertain about it and must learn a lot) to achieve that impressionistic touch.  View the finished painting in  my gallery .  

What Are You Reading Now? Another one in the Hands' Private Life series is almost finished, this time with a female figure on it. It seems that I also like to paint books (unconsciously). Nice that people keep reading real books even though it seems to be getting more and more old-fashioned. Let's call this painting so. Painting female hands is really challenging, but I did enjoy the process.  By the way, can you guess what language the book is written in? View the finished painting in  my gallery .  

  Narcissistically Yours The first painting in the new year is almost finished. I am now experimenting in combining a hand painting with a human face in the mirror. "Experimenting" seems to be a safe word when you don't quite know whether to love or to hate the result.  This is also my first attempt at making a self portrait. Naturally, I am not satisfied with it at all, but people around say they could find some resemblance. Plenty to learn yet, that's the good news. I hope I'll be making some more soon.  So, this was another painting for my little project Hands' Private Life. More to come.    View the finished painting in  my gallery .  

To speak is a sin Socialising in public places is what I am never going to learn properly. Often hoping for a nice contact, sometimes forcing myself into small talk and still missing opportunities, behaving eccentrically or too reserved and finally leaving, too late or too early. For a long time I thought I was the only one, but am I?  "...Ordering drinks at the bar...", that old PSB tune keeps spinning in my head. "...And once in a while, a smile, if you dare". This was the last finished painting of mine this year. Can't say I am quite satisfied with it. But it's now time for a glass of whiskey.  Anyway, wishing you all a happy New Year! View the finished painting in  my gallery .  

  Ameland Art XL Proud to work on this project for the Amelander Musea.  There are now art shows in four museums in three villages on our island.  25 professional and non-professional artists from Ameland are exhibiting their works until the 8th January.  One painting of mine is on show, too! As a part of the Amelander Kunstenaars exhibition.  Come to see and to enjoy!

  Cosy dark nights So happy we've got some Christmas trees in our garden . This year we used some branches of the old fir to decorate the house for the festive season. And if you know what scent the fir branches have... Our house is now full of that wonderful scent of my childhood. I was so happy, that I even suddenly felt the need to paint a small interior with the guirlande made of those branches, arranged on the mantelpiece.  Well, here it is, the Christmas Time, oil on canvas board 25 x 25 cm.   View the finished painting in my gallery .  And have yourself a merry little Christmas, everyone!

Most lovely sitter Time to involve Chester again!  ...The moment when a human tries to greet an (unknown) dog is often quite exciting for both. Will it be an unconditional friendship or will you remain suspicious? Animals often feel and know instinctively and they are always sincere. And I was once taught that the best way to dispel mistrust by a dog is to simply offer your open hand and let it be explored calmly. Don't pet the animal over the head, because they won't do it to you either. That was a lecture about greeting dogs. ☝😁 But back to the painting, I love painting my best friend Chester very much. I think I need to paint him more often. It's the fifth in the series of my Hands' Private Life project. So, let's call this one Friend or Foe?. Oil, canvas board 24 x 30 cm.   View the finished painting in my gallery

Going on with the Hands project Thinking of the great and timeless influencers, I tried to combine my favorite still life techniques with a hand portrait. It was quite a challenge, but I really enjoyed making this painting. No idea what meaning one can draw from this picture if any. I am going to call it Counterproposal. My usual limited palette of oil colours, alla prima on 25 x 35 panel. View the finished painting in my gallery

Kunstmaand Ameland 2022 Happy to exhibit with Amelander Kunstenaars during the annual Kunstmaand show on our island. Proud that more than 5.200 visitors have now seen my paintings. Lots of artworks have been sold, including two paintings of mine. These two are getting their new home in Drenthe and in Friesland. Also happy to be now the owner of an artwork by a very successful fellow artist living on our island, Wybe Jansma. His unique ceramics with beautiful colours and shapes and the special North Sea design were totally sold out, so I am a happy owner indeed! And I am still happy to support this amazing group of island artists by providing them with online services. This is an ongoing voluntary project which I am quite proud of and which is still growing. Only during this year almost 5.000 people worldwide visited our website. That all together make it something to celebrate! Proost!🍷 🔴 sold 🔴  sold 😇 bought

Y ou should be dancing I am going further with painting hands. This time it could perhaps be a tale of some feelings. Yearning, doubt, excitement, waiting, desire, impatience, temptation, rest, seclusion, yes and no, - possibly all "you can eat" on a dance floor. My usual limited palette of oil colours on 24 x 30 canvas, alla prima. View the finished painting in my gallery .