Tea in the City

Abstract Neon with Teapot and Tea Cup (oil and gold leaf on canvas 40x40cm)

Sipping on a cup of tea right now, taking a moment to relax  is exactly what I need.  Constant chaos here in the house, the kids bustling in and out, friends visiting, finishing paintings that will me on show over the next few months at various locations in The Netherlands and Belgium. First exhibition of this year is already up and running at Tea in the City in Amsterdam.


Just moving to a new location, Tea in the City sells a wide range of teas and accessories to have your tea with style. Evelyn, the shop owner, one of my first clients has done a wonderful job with her new shop located in the southern part of Amsterdam on the Beethovenstraat.

Just inside of Tea in the City

My painting and products feel right at home! The exhibition features works highlighting the beauty of traditional Delft pottery, Asian ceramica, sweet cakes, and of course, tea! The paintings dot the staircase and are mostly shown in the salon upstairs.

While the exhibition is running, my pillows and trays will be brightening the window front against Amsterdam's grey skies!

Our New Window Display

Maybe just a sweet little tea tray to serve tea and biscuits on! Yum.

Miami Snippets

 The A Team: Bobby Berk, moi, Eric Garcia (store manager BBH Miami)

and Eva Roepers

 with blogger Catherine Michelena of Inspire Bohemia and her mum

 happy clients

 with Chef Charles Harris, Adelaide Price of DWR West Palm Beach

and interior designer Sandy Napoli Cowper

 all smiles

 Bobby Berk Home and Mariska Meijers designs make a great combo!

 more happy clients....

 with Dutch colleague artist-designer Alexander Tempel 

of Artists not Armies

Alexander Tempel, Eva Roepers, Daphne Plug and blogger-interior designer

Natasha Haastrup Huang of Northern Light

I know that it has almost been a week since I returned from Art Basel Miami so finally here are some snippets from my show. On the way in I had huge delays because of the weather conditions in Europe. Being rerouted via Boston made me miss the Vogue party at the Raleigh Hotel (boohoo), but the most important thing was that I arrived in time for my own event!
Once in Miami I received a warm welcome from handsome, energetic Bobby Berk, founder of and creative brain behind  Bobby Berk Home, who together with Eva Roepers of Interdecorations hosted the cocktail and viewing party. I had a wonderful time, meeting interior design bloggers, shop owners that carry my products and clients, but even friends and colleague artist-designers from Amsterdam!
With only 4 full days in Miami I had a packed schedule both business and pleasure. I am grateful to my US distributor/agent Eva Roepers and Bobby Berk for all their wonderful arrangements and support!

Art Basel Miami & Bobby Berk Home

Well it is all set. Eva Roepers of Interdecorations who is doing a fabulous job at representing me in The States will be hosting a cocktail and viewing event during Art Basel Miami together with Bobby Berk Home on December 2nd.

Urban chique Bobby Berk Home is smack in the middle of Miami's design district. The store features a great selection of hand selected items from around the world showcased through faultless design vignettes. Bobby Berk Home also has  Flagship store in trend setting Soho, NYC.
As you can imagine I am delighted to stir a cocktail (or two) with my bold, colourful artwork and designs at such wonderful location. Thank you Bobby and Eva! And...if you are in Miami at that time please join us (rsvp eva@interdecorations.com)

Southern Delights - an impression

nervous before speeching (I am just better with my brush)

handing the first card box to Francoise Oostwegel

 elegant Judith Oostwegel with my proud mother

 well deserved glass of wine :)

all my paper products "spinning around"

with Chef Hans Snijders celebrating his 30th anniversary as Chef of Chateau Neercanne

With Chef Vincent van Vierzen of Kruisherenrestaurant

It was a busy but wonderful weekend. Here are some impressions of my exhibition at bookstore Selexyz Dominicanen. The location is just amazing! In connection with the exhibition I created a culinary card wallet for Camille Oostwegel Chateau Hotels and Restaurants. Inspired by delicious recipes of Chefs, Hans Snijders of Chateau Neercanne, Otto Nijenhuis of Chateau St Gerlach, Vincent van Vierzen of Kruisherenrestaurant and Roland Vincken of Restaurant Pirandello I made 5 paintings to illustrate their culinary art! Charming Judith Oostwegel and artistic daugther Francoise were guests of honour.
Maastricht is so much worth visiting and if you do, staying at one of Oostwegel's spectacular historic hotels is an absolute must!

Photo's courtesy photographer Linda Ruepert

Silence is Holy!

I know, (again) I haven't been blogging for a couple of days but all for a good cause. I am preparing for my next exhibition in Selexyz Dominicanen in Maastricht, according to The Guardian one of the world's most stunning bookschops. The vernisage is this Sunday and the exhibition will continue until December 31.
Above you see the area where my work will hang (in the picture it shows an exhibition of artist Klaas Gubbels, a man who I much admire!). This former church was redesigned by Merkx+Girod architects. I am glad that my work has powerful colours, otherwise it would just disappear in this amazing space!

A Day at the Fair

Today was the 4th day at De Woonbeurs. I can highly recommend the experience of particpating. The learning curve is steep, but amazing. The fair is open to the public except yesterday which was for the trade only. The reason I picked a fair open to the public is that I find it important to see the response and get feedback from the (potential) end customer. What I am really happy about is the amount of people that recoginze my work and know the story behind it. It confirms that I am on the right track. The translation of 4 years of work to 12 square meters has definetly not been in vain. It is a modest start which tastes like more... The video gives you a flavour.

Keep Calm and Carry On!

The current state of my booth. Keep calm and carry on!!

My first ever interior decoration fair. Yesterday did not go as planned, was that something to be expected? I promised myself to stay calm and I did. When we arrived at the fair the booth was far from ready for styling.  Here is a short video update.

Monday at the Studio

Here is work in progress. This painting will be one of the works that will grace the wall of my booth at the upcoming interior design fair "Woonbeurs" here in Amsterdam!

News from the Studio

 A glimpse of the new project

The week has passed in a blizz. I have been working non stop on a new project. 5 small oil paintings that will be published as boxed notecards with fabulous recipes by some excellent Dutch chefs! I will disclose more of this project soon which also includes a new exhibition at an exciting location!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Miami Update

The team: Eddy Prieto, Rebeca Suarez, moi, Eva Roepers

Impression of the Studio

Monique Libier (Dutch consulate), Dutch consul Arend Gouw, moi, Eva Roepers

White Knights

White Ladies: Monique, Cheryl & Karen

with Jonathan Auty (Director of Sales, East @ DWR)

with Maria Juliana Garzon (editor Glamour)

In love with each other and with my painting

"Conversation Piece"

Well it is done! The first step into the US has been taken with my opening event yesterday at the Coral Gables Studio of Design With Reach. My agent Eva Roepers of Interdecorations did an amazing job together with the studio proprietor Rebeca Suarez and her team. My paintings, screen prints and pillows were beautifully displayed throughout the Studio. Great food was served by raw food bar & grill Tarpon Bend and we had wonderful crowd, including guest of honor Dutch consul Arend Gouw. I feel exhausted today but happy and confident about the next steps! Here are some pictures to give you a little taste.

A big thank you to everyone who has supported me. I am grateful!

 

Miami here I come!

Just packed my suitcase for Miami. It includes a new dress I bought today at candystore Holt Renfrew, designed by one of my heroines Diane von Furstenberg (it was on sale mom!). Here is a glimpse of what I think I will be wearing on Saturday  for my opening/cocktail party. Of course I have a few more options packed as I can get so indecisive, especially at those moments I NEED to be ready. Expect a detailed posting on my exhibition at Design Within Reach (Coral Gables studio), the cocktail party on Saturday and my other Miami adventures!
Apologies for the quality of the pictures. No photoshop on my sister's laptop.