Setting up Shop at Singel 434 Amsterdam!

Singel 434 (front)

 artist impression (Mariska Meijers)

The last few months have been consumed by fulfilling another important part of my dream: finding the perfect spot for a store. The studio/showroom I occupied over the last 2 years was getting too small and my house was starting to look like a warehouse. But more importantly I kept getting this uncontrolable urge to have a window to the world. I was out on the hunt almost everyday on my bike or surfing the net, viewing properties.
Amsterdam has such a rich history. The Dutch Golden age was a time of ultimate prosperity, the Dutch East India Trading Company was one of the largest world powers. At this time gorgeous buildings were put up along the canals, the architecture lining the Herengracht and Singel were especially ornate.

Today most of these 17th century canal houses are still in tact and in one of these buildings I found my store!


I found some pictures of Singel 434 in the city's archives showing how the property and its surroundings have evolved. It still feels surreal that I am now occupying the ground floor of this 17th century monument overlooking the canal. I moved my paintings, pillow and tray designs, eclectic collection of furniture and accessories only last Thursday and we are really working hard to getting the space to work. It is becoming my second living room, a gigantic mood board and perfect setting to display my art and designs. A place to create new work and hopefully a new destination for those who love to be inspired.

Singel 434 in 1911

Singel 434 (in the'50s)

Singel 434 in the 1960s

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.

Introducing the Weekend PROFFER

Proffer? Is that a word? Yes it is! According to Wikipedia the word proffer is derived from Anglo-French "por-", forth, and offrir, to offer. The act of proffering involves making an offer prior to any formal negotiations.

So what does it mean when I say I am introducing the Weekend Proffer? It means that every weekend I will make a special offer regarding a painting, drawing, limited edition print or a product from my range. You can confirm or negotiate by email if you like the artwork or product. The email exchange will remain private of course.
For this weekend the proffer is a Graphic Blossom in Pink giclee. Distinctive, colourful, limited edition of 50, signed and numbered. This approximate 36x43cm giclee on German etching paper fits perfectly in a standard frame 50x60cm. Shipped rolled in a tube unframed. Normally €160, proffer price €100 including shipment! NOTE: although this is a limited edition of 50 I offer ONLY ONE giclee at this price. Interested? Drop me an email at info@mariskameijers.com

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mariska

3 Things that made my Wednesday

GENEROUS HAPPY CLIENTS

I received this beautiful blue & white teapot from a very generous and happy client. Great subject to paint and I am using it in my Studio now. It is a perfect match with my blue Ikat trays (available amongst others through my webstore, for retailers check here).

MY NOTEBOOKS ARRIVED!!!
Excited to finally receive my first note and address books from my publisher. They came out beautifully. Two designs, available in size A6 and A5.  Hardcover, bound, 144 pages (left blank, right ruled), contrasting green elastic closure and matching green lining inside. They also have a rear inner pocket like Moleskine does (available amongst others through my webstore, for retailers check here).

PAINTING
Just spend a whole day in the Studio painting. FINALLY after all the travel, tradefairs and other stuff, stuff and more stuff......

Painting away....

Believe it or not but YES I still find time to create "free" work. It is something I actually need, painting in total freedom. No time pressure, no instructions, no rules, just paint, following my instinct, boosting my creativity. I am showing you one of the paintings I am working on at the moment. It is not quite finished. I am still missing something, but I haven't quite figured it out yet. In order to find out what it is missing I have hung it on my wall in stead of leaving it on the easel. It is a great little trick that helps me to see my work from a different angle. What also helps is photographing the painting frequently while in progress. A photograph enables me to distance myself from my work and helps me to finally dare to take the decision that a works is finished (I can be my most brutal critic)!

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!

New press - Happy clients in Singapore!

Today I received a wonderful suprise in the mail, the October issue of Expat Living (Singapore) featuring charming Marilisa Busatta and her husband in front of my painting Interior with Chinese Screen. I met Marilisa when I was exhibiting in Singapore in October last year and told me that she had seen one of my "parrot in cage "paintings at a friends house in Paris and that she fell in love with my work. We had an immediate click. So thank you Marilisa and Expat Living. I feel honoured with such tribute!

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!

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"!

NEW STUDIO - DAY 8

Yesterday I had time again to play in my studio. I spend a few hours working on a new series for which I have decided to paint over work that I am not pleased with. Nothing better than recycling. I have also been rearranging furniture and creating little dispays as I am having a photoshoot tomorrow in preparation for the Dutch "Maison et Objet" de "Woonbeurs" in September. Deadline for press kit is 1st of June (...."keep calm and carry on")! In the picture a new painting I am working on inspired by Gerberas and vintage vases.

At the end of the day I went with friend Josephine to an inspiring art opening of Contemporary Aboriginal Art at Leslie Smith Gallery. I love the purity and apparent simplicity of this artform. The dedication and patience of the artists is absolutely amazing. In the picture we are standing in front of a beautiful piece by Nancy Ross Nungurrayi I.M. Thank you David (son of Leslie) for showing this work in Amsterdam!

Going in Circles

There are days that I feel I am going in circles. Too long behind my Mac browsing, tinkering with words and with one eye staring to the canvas on my easel. I am in the first place an artist and designer and find my self struggling with not enough hours in a day, trying to find the right balance between spending time on my art and designs, social media, marketing/sales, motherhood, book keeping, being a lovely man's girlfriend.... I love my work and have therefor decided to take action. I have rented a wonderful studio/showroom just 10 minutes cycling from my house where I can focus more on my creativity. No worries I will keep on blogging and reading and responding, but I will do it more "concentrated".
In the pictures my currrent workspot and the design I should have finished by now to send to my textile producer. All pictures are taken by gifted graphic designer and photographer Petra Bullee.

The Art of the Mix - Press on!

My exhibition The Art of the Mix at Eveline Interieur (Bloemendaal, The Netherlands) has received some very nice press that I did not share with you yet. Unfortunately the articles are from Dutch magazines Home & Living and Meubel so not all my blogging friends can read it. The exhibition will be on until May 10. All paintings can be viewed on my website. Which one is your favourite?

Just an Impression

I was flat out yesterday. After a show I always feel a bit drained. So I had a nice quite Sunday by banning my Mac, strolling around Amsterdam with a friend from Stockholm who flew in for the show. Lovely dim sum lunch, a bit of shopping...
I promised pictures here are just a few taken before and at the beginning of popping the first bottles of bubbles. After that the camera was left unemployed on the table between the nibbles and the glasses. Anyway it gives an impression of how the work is displayed in the store. Thank you friends, fans and family for coming!