Sweet Dreams

Okay, confess, soooo tired I am off to bed, but I am not going to zzzz without leaving something to inspre you. The French oh la la ils avont un style que j'adore! From my files: this bedroom featured on the cover of Maison Francaise (Octobre/Novembre 2007). Sweet dreams x

Moodswings

 moody detail of my appartment

Just a quick one today. Since my move to the new studio cum showroom, my appartment feels a bit empty. I have been moving around furniture, trying to get a bit organized in my newly gained "territory". I am missing my artistic clutter and have to find the right balance again. It will come I know. My interior is ever evolving and with big changes it ususually takes a while before I am perfectly satisfied again with the new arrangements. In stead of decluttering I will reclutter. That is in the end what makes me happy. Off to my studio now to paint!

.... and don't forget to enter the give away over at The Decorista!

Colour Palette: Purple-Yellow-Turquois-Red

People often ask me about my creative process. Where do I get my inspiration from. How do I choose my combination of colours. Inspiration is all around me. My brain stores impressions, I collect things I find attractive, whether it is a piece of packaging, a vintage book or beads. I hardly ever make sketches before I start on a painting or design. I mix a cocktail in my head with all the ingredients I want to use: colours, objects and patterns. I don't follow rules but simply follow my instinct
To visualize I took a snapshot of some items that inspired me for my Red blossom oil paintings and pillows: coral coloured beads, Tiffany blue box, Aqua di Parma egg yellow box, vintage books in purple & yellow (altough I found the yellow "David Copperfield" after the process but bought it of its closeness in colour to the egg yellow of Aqua di Parma) and to conclude the result: a "Red Blossom" swatch in satin silk. Curious to know where you get your inspiration from!

And to my followers, especially the new ones. Thank you for all your lovely comments on my blog and sorry I haven't responded to you all yet. This bee is still busy working on her 1st of June deadline for a press presentation for the Dutch "Maison et Objet"!

Je suis partie a Paris!

Picasso on Louvre's scaffolding (1998)

My son in front of museum Centre Pompidou (2006)

My kids playing at Place des Vosges (THE recommended antidote for Disneyland Paris) (2006)

 My friend Don having his espresso at Cafe Hugo, Places des Vosges (2006)

With friend Lise at Cafe Hugo (2008)

Packing my strappy pink Lanvins...(2010)

 (2010)

Taking the TGV to Paris today. It is spring, I feel like a little dog wildly wagging my tail, because I know I am going to play outside! Staying with lovely friends Lise and Thierry. The schedule is filling rapidly. On my list of must-do's is to visit the first time retrospective of Yves Saint Laurent at the Petit Palais. I remember as  teenager the first ever perfume which I got from my parents was YSL's Rive Gauche. The other must do is Didier Ludot's vintage (couture) boutique in the arcades of the Palais Royal. Other ports of call are Cafe Hugo at Place des Vosges, Hotel Costes for lunch, Bon Marche, Colette...... I could carry on forever. So it might be a bit quiet on my blog over the next few days but bear with me as I will have plenty to show and tell when I am back. In the meantime just a few pictures taken over the years.... a tout a l'heure!

Inspiration: Purple & Yellow

interior design by Charles Rutherfoord (images WOI) 

    one of my purple & yellow inspired paintings Blossom & Waves (40x40cm, oil on canvas)

 Two of my silk pillow designs

Over Easter the colours purple and yellow have kept me busy. Egg yellow, like in the packaging of Aqua di Parma and deep shades of purple. I simply love their richness. In my files I found some old tear outs  from The World of Interiors showing some interior shots of a house designed by Charles Rutherfoord. Although I have used the colour combination before in my paintings and designs I feel I would like to use them again.

Red vibes

The World of Interiors -Rug by Odegard

 Portrait of Guus Preitinger (the artist's wife) by Kees van Dongen dated 1911

Wallpaper "Japanese Floral" by Florence Broadhurst

I was digging through my "archives" yesterday as I am trying to decide on the colour scheme for my booth at the Dutch "Maison et Objet" in September.  I love strong colours but I can not say that I have one particular favourite. Red is vibrant and warm, but it can be very dominant. However if applied in the right manner it can add the right punch whether it is in interior design, art or fashion.

Spaced out by winter

No this is not a movie still from an SF film, it is simply art on a mountain in Austria. I am currently enjoying yet a bit more winter in "Zillertal". Going down the slopes empties my mind making room for new ideas.
I will soon let you know what kind of ideas were born on these snowy mountains.

Just a slow day

Some silly stomach virus has been bugging me so I haven't been able to put a lot of energy into my work today. But there is always a positive side to things. It means that I have been sitting down peering into books and magazines, playing a little with swatches and strands of yarn. Tomorrow I will be behind my easel again bursting with new ideas.

Kaleidoscope

On the last day of my Toronto trip I finally had time to do a bit of culture and went to the Textile Museum of Canada on Centre Avenue. They had an amazing exhibition of antique quilts curated by Max Allen. What a craftmanship. I feel inspired by the patterns and have already started to make sketches to use in my paintings and textile designs.

Florence Broadhurst

I am reading "Florence Broadhurst, her secret & extraordinary lives" by Helen O'Neill. I came across her name because I saw her amazing wall paper designs in a magazine. I love reading about other artists and designers, to find out what drives and inspires them. The story of Broadhurst is indeed extraordinary as only at the age of sixty!! she launched herself as a designer, founding a high-end wall paper design studio. I am a big believer in reinventing, innovating oneself. This is what keeps me passionate and full of life.

Mae West

Walking in the French Quarter in New Orleans this Summer I found a great little store named after its owner Nadine Blake. One of the things I picked up was a series of cards with quotes of Mae West, hand printed by Nadine's husband. "I used to be Snow White but I drifted" was one of them. I love quotes, especially when I can relate to them.