Reflecting on Imperfection

pictures: brochure Hermitage museum, Red Room by Matisse, Interior Paintings by Mariska Meijers

This weekend I was struggling with my painting. There are days that I see every imperfection in my work. The hairs of my paintbrush that have settled neatly in the dried oils, crooked lines, uneven colouring...On those days I just have to take a step back from my work. It has never been my intention to strive for accuracy in my paintings but on those days I feel that nothing that I do is good enough.
Best remedy in such case is some fresh air and a museum visit. So I hopped on my bike yesterday to visit The Hermitage Amsterdam. Yes! In case you didn't know St Petersburg's Hermitage has a Dutch baby sister. The current exhibition is "From Matisse to Malevich" (until September 2010). Matisse is my absolut hero.  Standing in front of his Red Room with all its  "imperfections" made me smile again.

Cluster Wall

I have always been fond of this picture.  Taken in September 2005 by photographer Margré Mijer. At that stage I was still working for a bank and dreaming of a full time artistic carreer. I needed pictures to market my first solo exhibition in Singapore. I look so happy and proud in front of my first cluster wall. Now 5 years later I am well on my way as an artist and designer. Doesn't time just fly when you are having fun!

The Art of the Mix

Today some new work was photographed for my upcoming exhibition "The Art of The Mix" at interior design store Eveline Interieur (Bloemendaal, The Netherlands). I just love doing eclectic interiors. Playing with colour and patterns, juxtaposing objects. Painting interior portraits is like therapy. Otherwise I would be reinventing my house every other week!
This painting is done in oils and measures 80x100cm.

Artist Studio - Amsterdam

Pictures - Rogier Veldman for Staalmagazine

An artist needs space so they say. I have had 3 different studio's in Amsterdam but somehow I have never been able to settle in to these spaces. My house is where my soul is, it is my oversized inspiration board. Surrounded by all the things I love I accomplish my best work. Here are 2 photo's of one of my previous studio's. It was the typical romantic run down place but I kept missing my "stuff" around me.

In love with the Fenton Sisters

Pictures: source Vogue Living Australia

Yesterday's treat was the February issue of Vogue Living Australia (unfortunately it always arrives late in Amsterdam). I became hooked on this magazine when I was living in Singapore. I love the modern-colourful-eclectic style which I believe to be so representative for Australian interior design. Reading Vogue is like taking an imaginary inspirational trip back. This time I fell in love with the wonderful Fenton&Fenton stores of Lucy and Emma Fenton in Melbourne. Makes me want to hop on a plane right now to visit!

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