A Peak at New Work

Creating some new designs for silk pillows with a more graphic look. All my designs are created by hand. I am hopeless when it comes to all these fashionable computer programs like Illustrator. So everything I create is painted or drawn first. This little bird is part of my new pillow range. I will receive the first proofprints of the fabrics in two weeks time. So excited, can't wait to look and feel!

The Cluttered Mind

There are days that my head, and my house and studio for that matter, feel so cluttered that I have to start editing. Focus is an amazing quality, so is the ability to have a clean desk or a house that looks like a showroom.
On those 'cluttered' days I just wonder how other people do it. This photo shows you a corner of the living room of my previous house. The photo is by Henny van Belkom for Dutch magazine Joie de Vivre. The painting in the background was the first one I ever bought. They say that an interior tells a lot about a person....

Loot of the Day

Books can be such a source of inspiration. I love to spend time in bookshops browsing and of course I usually end up buying. Today's loot consists of out of some wonderful out of print books. One of the books is the second edition of "Pattern Design" by Lewis F. Day dated 1933. On the inside of the dust jacket it says: "It is a book invaluable to students, describing as it does, the anatomy, planning and evolution of repeated ornament, and showing how designs should be prepared for the manufacturer". Day was a leading pattern designer in his time and I will be proud to be his student!

Give me a head scarve baby!

The publisher's den

 

Today I was invited to the office of one of Holland's leading magazine publishers Sanoma Uitgevers. Every year Sanoma organizes the Woonbeurs (the Dutch "Maison et Objet"). I am excited as I will be presenting my new textile designs at this 10 day event from September 25  to October 3  (location: RAI convention centre  - Amsterdam). The Woonbeurs attracts around 80.000 visitors which is a fantastic  turnout considering Holland is only a small market. Although I have exhibited my products in previous editions of the Woonbeurs, this time I have my own branded booth as a mini playground.
In this picture I am showing a corner of the Sanoma office space just to show that the publisher does not rule from an ivory tower or over-styled office. Stacks of files, papers, snacks and...people that work hard to make their magazine a success. Thank you Sanoma for the warm welcome today!

Back to Business

Bye bye Austria, hello Amsterdam! The ski holiday was great. I feel completely regenerated. This month my exhibition at Eveline Interior will open on Saturday 27th of March. I did this little water colour impression of one of the current displays in Eveline's shop.

Artistic Dreams

I am still enjoying my ski holiday with the family. Spending the entire day outside, sliding down the slopes, enjoying Austrian food and wine makes it all  a great recipie for a good night sleep. Last night I dreamt about work and the challenges ahead of me. It made me wake up hungry this morning. Hungry to create, so on top of my to do list when I am back in Amsterdam will be a visit to my favourite art supply store Van Beek Art Supplies near the Rijksmuseum. The store has this great old fashioned atmosphere with its large wooden counter and shelving and high ceilings. The staff is always friendly and helpful. Just can't wait!

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.

My Home Unraveled

The world of interior design/lifestyle blogs is just amazing. There are many wonderful blogs and slowly I am finding my way trying not to get to addicted. Blogs are personal and inspiring. A while ago I came across Irene Hoof's Bloesem blog. Featured by TimesOnline as one of the best design blogs. A popular part in her blog is "Let's get Personal" where she takes you inside houses and working spaces of designers. On Valentine's day she posted a tour of my atelier-apartment in Amsterdam. Thank you Irene for inviting me on your blog!

Elegant by Elegance Part II

In one of my postings in January I wrote about the photoshoot I had for women's glossy Elegance. The March issue is on the shelves with the result. Two pages with interview and photo and a visual introduction in the editorial. I am styled by Birgitta Gadellaa in a sleevless Caroline Biss top as it is the spring issue. My arms are as white as the snow that is falling right now :). Happy snowy valentine's day everyone!

In Bloom is blooming!

Got the new issue of More Than Classic in today, a popular Dutch interior design glossy. I feel thrilled that they featured the green silk pillow of my "In Bloom" collection amongst beautiful brands such as Designers Guild and Dior.

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.

Tales from the Webstore

I have a headache today. Not because of last night's lovely Tuscany red, but since yesterday my webstore is finally on line. Dealing with technical stuff always gives me a headache. It is just not my cup of tea. The store is still in a very modest form with just a few of my products such as silk pillows and greeting card boxes. Have a look at webstore.mariskameijers.com and let me know what you think!

Yellow & Black - Sweet as Honey

How attractive and inspirational can a colour combination be. On first sight one might think yellow & black is not the most obvious cocktail of colours. It has been on my mind since Anna Spiro's blog post last week showing an image of the Dedar showroom at Maison et Objet (source: Sonia Arriola - image: Katherine Kostreva). It is not that it is a "new" combination. Look at bees, bugs, leopards, NewYork City cabs, the exquisite yellow lamp find on Good Bones Great Pieces , an ad for Raoul Textiles (World of Interiors, April 2004),  my beautiful friend Monique in her yellow outfit or a detail from one of my older designs. I simply see it everywhere. Inspiration is where the mind is. Next week I will show how this yellow & black infusion has inspired some new work!

Winter Wonderland

When I got out of my bed this morning I was pleasantly suprised to see it snowing. I decided to go for a run in the Vondelpark. It was still quiet and the sun was peering through. I took my small camera with me. How I just love my city.

The Kate Chaos Files

There are things that we somehow never learn. As a child I was quite chaotic. My parents lovingly (or desperately) nicknamed me Kate Chaos. So once in a while I try to a be good girl and start reorganizing my clothes, nick nacks, books and magazines. Especially magazines are a "big problem". I have loads of them, some over 10 years old. Still in one piece. It would be easier if I just rip out what I would like to keep and throw the rest away. Whenever I start doing this I usually get stuck on the floor between the piles, browsing, reading, my head filling with inspiration by which stage I go back behind my easel.   The piles of magazines remain on the floor, not always short term. Today while doing my "reorganizing" I found this stunning interior of decorator Tino Zerduvachi's Parisian appartment.  Photographed by Jacques Dirand for The World of Interiors (June 1999). Some interiors never go out of style.

Mr Smith's Chair progressing

Have to say that this painting is starting to look "groovy". Everytime I use that word my daugther corrects me and says "Mum can you PLEASE use the word "chill", "groovy" is just too old fashioned". I still think "Mr Smith's Chair" is more groovy than chill!

Work in progress

Hardly time for blogging. Flow is the word of the moment. Nothing better than attacking a fresh canvas. 15 plus paintings for my exhibition "The Art of the Mix" opening March 27 at Eveline Interieur in Bloemendaal (The Nethetherlands). Keep you posted on the progress!

I wish I was a Window Dresser

Who doesn't love Bloomingdale's Flagship in New York. At the moment they are having a contest  "Bloomingdale's Big Window Challenge". Interior designers, Eileen Joyce Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan and Eddie Ross have created 3 dwellings in the shop windows. My absolute favourite is "The Modern Woman by Eddie Ross for ELLE Decor".

Go see all 3 inspirational windows at bigwindowchallenge.apartmenttherapy.com

To Judge a Book by its Cover

I possess a lot of books. They are a great source of inspiration. Usually I buy a book because of it content, but there are occassions that I buy a book simply because I am attracted by its cover. This cover is from an art catalogue for Braque's exhibition at museum Boymans in Rotterdam in 1956. It is so simple yet attractive that I keep it on display.

"There is only one valuable thing in art: the thing you cannot explain."
Georges Braque 

Elegant by Elegance

What a week it has been. In between painting, grocery shopping, book keeping, working on new textile designs, dinner dates, running in the park, catching up with my sister, laundry and breathing I also had a foto shoot for Dutch women's glossy Elegance. What a luxury, a team of 5 fantastic people to dress me up, powder my nose, doll-up my hair! Here I am with photographer Harold Pereira who made me look beautiful through his lens.

It is all about hats

We have real winter weather for a change. So hats are a vital item. Problem is that somehow my hats keep vanishing from the face of the earth. In this picture my last hat purchase, a Missoni knitted piece. Hat where are you going with that girl....

Women at Work

Not a lot of time to post blogs this week as I am doing some last bits and pieces for my exhibition in Maassluis (Netherlands) at gallery Barbara Joy Smit. Barbara is a hard working gallerist with great eclectic taste. She profoundly believes that art should be accessible, for everyone to enjoy. Her gallery is beautifully setted in the historic centre. If you are in the neigbourhood this Saturday do join us for some art and a glass of wine! (photo by Henny van Belkom)

A touch of Dutchness

I love my house. It is warm and bohemian with touches of "Dutchness": the Delft blue pottery I use in my paintings, my bright orange hallway and bunches of fresh flowers around the house.  Picture by Margre Mijer.

Daddy's girls

Yesterday I was interviewed by Karin Kuijpers for Elegance, a Dutch Women's glossy. It was a very personal interview including questions about my background. In one of my previous postings I showed a picture of my mum in her diva Opera days. Today I would like to share a picture of my fantastic dad in his 20's, dashing Airforce officer, chain smoker, all the girls chasing him. When he met my mum she was divorced, 3 little daughters aged 5 (me) and 3 (the twins), still studying opera on a scholarship, no money. He could have taken the easy road, but he fell in love with these four girls, he moved in and never left.

Colour in my Kitchen

I am in flow, finishing work for my exhibtion at Barbara Joy Smit Gallery in Maassluis opening Saturday 16th of January. One of the paintings I have been working on today is a detail of colourful kitchen (oil on canvas 40x120cm). The kitchen only exists in my mind. As with a lot of my work I mix an imaginary cocktail of favourite objects, patterns and colours which I translate to my canvas. The painting still needs some work but it is getting there definitely!

Ready, steady....go!

Yes, I am back from the snowy mountains. No postings on my blog during my stay in Austria as there were some technical hick-ups. Pity as there was plenty to blog about. Here is one: on new year's eve the Austrians wish each other "Einen Guten Rutsch ins Neue Jahr" which freely translates to "have a good/safe slide into the new year". With this photo of Marylin Monroe sliding down a desert hill in bikini and high heels I wish you all an adventurous, fulfilling and happy 2010!

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!