Gone with the Snow

Trying to pack my bag to catch a flight to Innsbruck. I am debating what to take with me. I love a bit of glam like Audrey Hepburn's in this photo (from the movie "Charade"), but it is not very practical when you have a ski fanatic boyfriend who throws himself done the slopes at too many miles an hour. My fur hat stays at home this year and on the helmet goes. What we sacrifice for love :-)).

"I'd Do Anything" - Lena Horne

I was brought up with music. While my mother was on tour with the opera company I would spend hours with my dad listening to records, especially the sounds of the 40s and 50s. I found this beautiful simple performance by Lena Horne on YouTube "I'd Do Anything". Just click on the link below to see and hear Lena. Merry Christmas!

Lena Horne's christmas gift

Diva genes

I am excited. Tomorrow I am joining my family to celebrate Christmas. Our family has a strong bond, but we all lead busy lives so we don't see each other often "en groupe". I am especially looking forward to seeing my mum.  She is an incredible person. She used to be an opera singer. Divorced with 3 small kids she studied opera at the conservatory in Maastricht which she finished "cum laude". As a child I was privileged to see many of her performances in great productions such as Rigoletto, Hofmann's Erzahlungen and Aida.
I would often be seated next to the fireman behind the stage and I had free access to the dressing rooms. How I admired all the costumes, the buzz, the drama......and the goosebumps I got from standing ovations.This photo was part of the promotional material for Donizetti's Maria Stuarda where my mother sang the role of Anna, Maria Stuarda's nurse. Dame Joan Sutherland performed the role of Maria Stuarda!  

Another Room to Manouver

This morning I saw a black chair in an old copy of House&Garden. I am often triggered by just one object. I start painting the object and build the rest around it. This is the result: another room to manouver.

Room to manouver

I collect, tower & pile stuff. I just can't help it. My house is like an over-sized mood board. I hardly have room to manouver. I admire people with empty houses and just can't figure out how they do it. I need my stuff. It inspires me, it is part of my life. I did this water colour sketch today, sooooo me!

Christmas on my mind

We are getting closer to Christmas and I am slightly panicking as I still need to do all my Christmas shopping. It is a mystery to me why I am always postponing this type of shopping. Tomorrow is another day. At least I finished the sketch of my Christmas stocking.

The Age of Innocence

As we are all rushing towards the end of yet another year I am having a moment of reflection. This childhood picture catapults me back to 1969. Oblivious of the life ahead of me.
Now, beyond the stage of innocence, I can only say that I love my life.

Black & White

I  do not consider myself  a black & white person, neither in my thinking, nor in my art. But as with many things in life there can be the occasional deviation....About 2 months ago I was going through my image library with UK publisher David Hicks of Soul. He stumbled on this charcoal sketch of Japanese slippers and chose it to complete the selection of 20 greeting card designs. Today I received a box with the cards including the black & white slippers. Well  David I have to say they look so amazing, that I might deviate again!   

Creative pact

Here is a snippet from last Saturday's edition of Dutch newspaper "De Telegraaf" ("VROUW" supplement) featuring the culinary greeting card box I designed for 3 Michelin star chef Jonnie Boer of the Librije. I love the challenge of commisioned work, a creative pact between the client and the artist.

Stock Interiors

The things we do to get from where we are to where we want to be....Becoming a brand takes time, endless sowing, being out there in different ways so your potential audience gets to know you. Today I had a modest sales exhibition at Stock Interiors in Amsterdam. People have crazy schedules, December being the most straining for our social diaries. Despite that we had a fun crowd with a lot of enthousiasm for my products (and sales of course :-)). Thank you Jeroen and Leonie Stock for your great support! www.stockinteriors.nl

More groove

Pondering on groovy masculine interiors. Pffffffff can I do masculine I wonder and even if I could....should I?
I am wondering why I am even pondering about this. I will just continue what I like to do: explore and discover!

Groovy Baby

"Groovy baby" that is all I have to say today!

Soul for my art

I am excited as I have signed on last month with UK publisher Soul, a "boutique" publisher that have now created a range of single greeting cards for my label "Mariska Meijers Amsterdam", with notebooks, wrapping paper and gift tags to follow shortly. Here is a design of one of the cards.

Time to Cook

Another water colour I did yesterday titled "Time to Cook". Amazing how much fun you can have with painting details....

Interior with Union Jack

Again a rainy day. Perfect as I need to create more work for my upcoming exhibitions. After yesterday's hard work on the eclectic interior in oils,  I feel "light" today working with my water colours. This one is ready to be framed.

Eclectic Interior

Almost done with one of my large interior paintings. Colour can be quite intimidating for some people especially when there is such a bold mix. Can't wait for the response next Sunday when I exhibit this piece for the first time at Stock Interiors.

Malva's flowers

Today I had inspiring conversation over coffee with Malva. She brought me these perfect little white lilies. Translated from Dutch they are called "South Wind" lilies.  They cheer up my studio on this grey day!

Indecisive

There are days that I am sooooo indecisive. This painting keeps changing form, colour and composition. A shrink would probably have a field day analizing all the different stages. I need to stop changing as it will be exhibited at Stock Interiors next Sunday!

David Hicks II

Another touch of David Hicks. A page from Maison Francaise. The picture was taken in 1978 in David Hick's interior design store in London. He designed everything from the furniture to the ceramics. A real candy store. I will have MY candy store at some point! davidhicksfrance.com