Artist Studio - Lisette de Zoete - Amsterdam

 

Lisette de Zoete's  design for the Dutch Film Museum to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the death of Austrian born German actress and style icon Romy Schneider

What a crazy, aaargh fun (not complaining), diverse week this has been so far, including a photoshoot for Sabine Leenhout's book "Plan B". Talented photographer - illustrator Lisette de Zoete is responsible for the illustrations of Sabine's book, including 20 portraits of the interviewies. I love meeting other artists like Lisette, to exchange ideas and experiences, inspire each other.
Lisette has a deep fascination for handwriting. In her work she often combines handwriting with visuals, whether existing or in the form of her own photographs. Her work is full of emotion, it gets under your skin.
Only when the book is published later this year I can reveal her illustrations and portraits for the book in my blog, but what I can share with you now is an intimate peak into her studio. Just a little taste of what Lisette is all about. Photographs all by and courtesy of Lisette de Zoete. I absolutely recommend to visit her website to see more of her work. And thank you Lisette for letting me share your world!

A Privileged Life

With writer-journalist Sabine Leenhouts

In my previous life most people I met in connection with work were lawyers, consultants and bankers. Not that I did not enjoy my corporate life but there was a definite mismatch between my head and my heart. My life now is much more in tune with my heart. I feel privileged getting up in the morning, being my own boss doing what I love most. I still meet the corporate gang but as friends and some have become lovely clients!
Another privilege in my new 'capacity' is meeting wonderful creative people with utter and complete passion for their work. Sparkling writer and journalist Sabine Leenhouts is such a person. She has a wealth of experience writing for women and lifestyle magazines and is now in the process of writing her first book called"Plan B" to be published by Bruna. The book is a compilation of 20 interviews of people that completely turned around their lives in pursuit of their passion. Last week she interviewed me for her book. It was an in-depth interview and I enjoyed every minute of it.  After she left I felt upbeat and inspired, she really understood where I was coming from.
So as you can understand I feel oh so privileged to be in Sabine's book!

The Talented Mr Wiltshire

 

aerial view of Los Angeles skyline

Central Park New York

Hong Kong

Picadilly Circus at Night

                          

Usually when I am watching TV  I am easily distracted and divert to other things. But Friday evening my attention was caught by an interview on Dutch television where TV host Ivo Niehe talked to artist Stephen Wiltshire (36). As a child Stephen was mute and diagnosed as authistic. He communicated through drawing and learned to talk at a later age. His work is simply amazing. He draws and paints very detailed city scapes. He is nick-named "The Human Camera".  Besides some images of his work I have included a video, but there is so much more on his own website. I really recommend you to watch his creative process. It is mind blowing and inspiring. Stephen has a gallery in London which will be on my to do list next time I go there!

http://www.stephenwiltshire.co.uk/london_gallery.aspx

The Art of Framing

 Orange Blossom Screenprint (limited edition of 50) - click here for the webstore

   Blossom in Lavender Screenprint (limited edition of 50) - click here for the webstore

   Mr Smith's Blossom Screenprint (limited edition of 50) - click here for the webstore

Clients who purchase my limited edition silk screenprints or giclees often ask my advice how to frame it. Framing is very personal. When you go to a gallery the framing is often done on the "safe side" because the gallerist is afraid that unsusal framing will scare off potential clients. For me bold framing is the real deal. I am not afraid of elaborate frames and coloured passe-partouts and I strongly believe that it adds character to my prints.
Here are some examples of how to make a print look stunning (to my opinion that is..).  All prints are available in my webstore  and if budget or space on the wall doesn't allow it I also have clients who frame my cards!

Treat of the Day - Vintage Yellow & White

I am sure you know that feeling. The need to get out of your house/studio/office because you have been working hard for days. The irresistible desire to treat yourself. There are many treats that make us girls happy. One of my favourites is hunting for a decorative object for my house. On a day like this I am so tuned in to my desires that I just find my little jewels: a large white ceramic vase, a lime ceramic fruit bowl and a copy of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield published by Collins. All from vintage stores around town. Curious what your favourite treats are!

Soul for my Art - NOW AVAILABLE IN MY WEBSTORE

 A SELECTION FROM MY WEBSTORE (click here to enter)

Finally! It took me almost a day yesterday organizing my new products in my webstore. I am still a one woman band (but a proud one), managing all the aspects of my mini mouse empire.  My series of greeting cards made in the UK and published by Soul UK can now be bought online. Soul UK is a lovely boutique publisher. I met the director of Soul, David Hicks (YES decor lovers that is really his name), about a year ago. I was looking for a publisher that could take my work into countries beyond The Netherlands. He loved my work and picked 20 images that have been made into a series double greeting cards which they now distribute worldwide. It is great when you encounter people that believe in what you are doing. It is one thing chasing your dreams but a whole other ball game turning your dreams into reality. Thank you Soul and thank you David!

Bag Lady

Today I am busy with updating my webshop with more products. It is giving me a real headache, but hopefully you can see the new products life tomorrow. So there is only time for a quick post today.
When I visited my parents over Easter my mum gave me this adorable vintage cocktail bag. Just can't wait for the first occasion to use it so I have placed it in my bookcase to already enjoy it!

Singapour Mon Amour

They say that Asia gets under your skin and remains in your bloodstream. I was lucky to live in beautiful Singapore for 3,5 years. A regional job with a Dutch bank took me all over the place. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Mumbai...Asia is such a relentless source of inspiration. After every trip I came back to the beautiful colonial house in this photo (with my daughter (age 4 at the time) walking on the lawn). I had my easel on the veranda and after a trip I would paint for hours releasing the many impressions. The house (called a "Black & White") was build by the British in the '30s for their high ranking army staff. I love going back. Looking at this picture I get a bit homesick. It is the place where my creative journey started. Singapour mon amour toujour!

Pretty Spring Pictures

Sitting room of fashion designer Nanette Lepore decorated my Jonathan Adler (ELLE Decor)

Bousssac Decoration advertisement

 

Va va voom glamour: apartment of Julie and Luke Janklow (Vogue ? 2007)

Hopped on my bicycle this morning to run some errands. Amsterdam is really at its best when the sun is shining. Everyone sitting outside enjoying a latte or something stronger. The canals are already filling with small boats. Came back home really inspired and ended up trying to order my boxes filled with magazine tear outs. Problem is that I do not always remember the origin of the tear out so I do apologize if I have it wrong sometimes. Here are three pages that I associate with spring!

The Fabric of Life

Just a quick posting today as I have been busy sorting out my new cushion production which I had to bring to the sewing atelier today. The production includes cushions from my current collection and some new models I am sampling. Here some pictures to show my not so organized studio. Thank got it is Friday!

Cherry Blossom Festival

Holland has very strong ties to Japan. For over 400 (!) years these two countries have trade relations. A large number of Japanese companies have regional headquarters around Amsterdam. Since a few years the traditional spring festivity Sakura or Cherry Blossom is celebrated in Amstelveen. The Japanese community gathers, cherry blossom trees are planted, traditional Japanese music, green tea, sake, kimono's, origami, one would not imagine oneself to be in Holland. I was invited to show my blossom designs. In this picture I am with former banker and Honorary Consul-General to Japan Mr Jaap Rost Onnes.

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.

Women with Passion - Joan Sutherland & my mother

Dame Joan Sutherland (Maria Stuarda) with my mother Tine van Grootel (Anna)

Just came back from a wonderful weekend with my family. My parents live in a historic house in the South of Holland near Maastricht. It is filled with things they love and cherish. Everytime I visit my childhood memories revive big time. On the piano there is this black&white photograph by Jaap Pieper. I was about 4 years old when my mother started to study at the conservatory to become an opera singer. Single mum, 3 small kids, chasing her dream on just a scholarship. She was incredably talented but in "her" days opera wasn't particulary popular in The Netherlands.
In order to attract audience, the Dutch Opera Foundation would often engage opera stars from abroad for the leading roles. For the production of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda they engaged Australian born Joan Sutherland to perform the role of Maria. My mother was casted for one of the other main characters, Anna. She loved every single minute of her work with this beautiful star especiallly because she is so passsionate, down to earth, hardworking with a warm personality. After the production our family was invited to her house near Montreux (Switzerland). It was an amazing place,  I lost count of the amount of rooms when she gave us the house tour, but she made us feel very welcome.

Women with Passion - Carolle Thibaut Pommerantz

 

Carolle Thibaut-Pommerantz

 The book Wallpaper published by Flammarion

 She wrote a lovely dedication in my copy of her book.

An amazing Chinese wallpaper panel from Carolle Thibaut's collection

 

Carolle Thibaut-Pommeranz with "my" blue domino 

 

Carolle & moi in front of a fragment of "Les Monuments de Paris"

A week or two ago I wrote about my visit to the TEFAF, one of the world's most renowned art and antique fairs. It was a day full of wonderful encounters including one with the passionate, stylish Carolle Thibaut-Pommerantz. Carolle is an art dealer who specializes in vintage wallpapers from the 18th century to the art deco period, as well as fine contemporary artists' wallpaper. Her adventure, as she calls it, with wallpaper began accidentally in 1986 when she walked into an auction house in Paris. "I was dazzled and seduced by the variety of decors and the wealth of colours...". Well so was I when I walked into her booth. One of my absolute favourite pieces was a framed so called "domino" with blue flowers and acanthus leaves. As it happens it is also on the cover of her book WALLPAPER recently published by Flammarion. The book is an absolute must have for everyone who loves interior design. Thank you Carolle for introducing me to your beautiful world of wallpaper.

Revamping!

I have been playing a little bit with the lay-out of my blog today, in between errants, client visit, and shuffling a bit more furniture. I can't get the header quite right yet. Technical things are not really meant for me. In the picture a chair and moodboard patiently waiting to be repositioned. To be continued.....

The Kate Chaos Files - Spring Flip

My parents have always lovingly called me Kate Chaos. Yes guilty as charged. I am a creative chaotic soul, but once in a while I get the urge to create a new space for myself. At that point the beach towels come out of their hiding place as they are my tools for flipping round my furniture. A trick I learned from my mother. I am only a small girl and when I get the urge it has to be done yesterday and not tomorrow! So when there is no extra pair of hands around I am still able to move even the most impossible piece of furniture such as my oversized Empire cabinet, a family heirloom. Here are some pictures of my Spring Flip. Slowly my space is starting to look habitable again. I will share some more pictures once I have restyled in more detail.