To my dear Mum

 My parents with my son Mauk and daughter Annemarth (Easter 2011)

"That strong mother doesn't tell her cub, Son, stay weak so the wolves can get you. She says, Toughen up, this is reality we are living in."

                                                                                                            Lauryn Hill

Dear Mum,

Just to say that I am proud being your daughter. From as early as I can remember you have been strong and courageous, warm and loving, disciplined and hard working, honest and fair. You have made me and my sisters good persons by being a wonderful role model and a loving mother. I love you and wish you a happy mother's day.


xoxoxoxoxoxox

About Life....

 

source: BBC

source: CNN

While many of us may be watching the Royal Wedding, the American South East is picking up the pieces after yesterday's destructive storm that claimed nearly 300 lives. With so many consecutive natural disasters one might start questioning the life that one is leading. Life is fragile and precious, it can't be taken for granted. Do you take full advantage of your life or are you wasting it? Since I traded my banking career for an uncertain artistic path I feel my life has become more intense, more real and much more true to myself. I do my best to stay alert to live my life as best as I can.

We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.

Louisa May Alcott

Back to The Brushes with Sonia Delaunay!

 

at work on the kitchen floor Amsterdam, April 16 2011

Sonia Delaunay in Paris 1925

 
Finally! A week after arriving back in Amsterdam from my High Point Market adventure I found time to go back to the basics: painting....
First day at High Point I still felt insecure, falling back in to the habit of sellling myself short ("I am more of a decorative painter..."), but the positive feedback from designers, retailers and press made me feel confident. There is no shame in failing to be a "technical" briljant painter and "just" being a decorative painter. To speak with the fabulous artist-designer Sonia Delaunay "For me there is no gap between my painting and my so-called "decorative' work. I never considered the 'minor arts' to be artistically frustrating: on the contrary, it was an extension of my art." Sonia is one of my heroines.  She brought her art in to the every day life and therefor closer to the people and that is exactly what I am striving for. Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic recently did a wonderful posting on Sonia as there is currently a "must see" exhibition at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum Color Moves: Art and Fashion by Sonia Delaunay. Dear Sonia, thank you for moving me, Mx.

Note: Did you know that Sonia has a connection with Amsterdam. In the 30s she designed textiles for Amsterdam Department Store Metz&Co!

High Point Market: Early beginnings

  proudly presenting our modest first High Point Market showroom!

 In Bloom Green and Flamingo pillow featured in Home Accents Today

Delft Blue Teapot Tray in Home Accents Today

Purple Allium pillow in Home Accents Today

with Jesse Burkhart of Home Accents Today and Eva Roepers

 With the fab team of Bobby Berk Home

With stylish Olivia Sohn of One King's Lane

With the lovely Marisa Marcantonio of Stylebeat blog

Where to start? Just got back from my first US trade show. On the 31st of March I flew via New York to Charlotte. At the airport I teamed up with  Eva Uribe Roepers of Interdecorations who continues to do a fabulous job as the exclusive distribitor of my products in the US. Next day we had to build up our 10ft by 10ft showroom at suites at Market Square, a historic warehouse. Our first US trade show, what an excitement and oh boy what a steep learning curve again! First day I was so nervous... How will my products be received? How many people will visit our modest showroom? Will we get orders? Now being back in Amsterdam I can reveal that I feel confident and happy. We had great response from designers, shops and media. First orders have been written, new store locations will be added and Home Accents Today featured 5 of my designs! What more can a girl want.... well, we are booked for the next High Point Market in October. Thank you designers, buyers, editors and High Point Market staff for giving us the fuel to continue building the Mariska Meijers Amsterdam brand in the US. And last but not least thank you Eva, without you I could not have pulled this off, we make a great team!

Six Party Items for Spring - Guest blog on Party Resources!

 Party Resources

Today you can find me over at Party Resources a wonderful blog by Kate Todd, daughter of Dixie Todd a renowned event planner who has been creating unique parties for more than twenty-five years. Kate's love for stylish entertaining is simply in her genes so get inspired for your next event through Party Resources. Thank you Kate for having me as a guest!

The new Rue has arrived!

 All images from Rue Magazine

 
Just got back from 5 days up North (Groningen) exhibiting at a consumer fair for Interior Design. I am trying to get rid of my backlog in mails etc etc but I am totally distracted by the new issue of Rue which is simply triggering me to do completely other things :)! I am inspired, so bye dear Mac and thank you Rue I am off to my studio to paint.
Here are just a few images. For the full issue click here.

My thoughts are with Japan

Utagawa Hiroshige

 

Vincent van Gogh

 
Nature gives and takes back. Nature is almighty. Watching the images about the devastation in Japan make my daily hurdles vanish. My thoughts are with Japan.

Look how tidy mum!

 hiding stuff from the camera

 Tada! Ready for the shoot.

When I seriously think about it there are only two occassions on which  I REALLY tidy up my home. Either I have a photoshoot or my parents are coming to visit. In between those occassions I wiggle my way through wonderful piles of stuff. It is just everywhere books, magazines, clothes, Donald Ducks, shoes, boots, nic nacs.....
So today I had another photoshoot, read: major panic attack before the happy event. Frantic last minute cleaning and stuffing stuff out of sight. Just wonder if I just should let it go next time. Leave everything as is. After all I am not living in a museum and I guess I just wasn't born to be a tidy girl (although I was brought up to be one). Love you mum (and dad of course) xox.

Royal Attic Sale!

 

images all from the Sotheby's catalogue

Our Royal Family will be holding an attic sale. Sotheby's Amsterdam will be auctioning over 1600 lots, including furniture, porcelain, glass, silver, paintings and drawings which encompass the long and varied history of the Dutch Royal family. Many come from the Palace Soestdijk where Queen Juliana lived throughout her married life, while other items come from the attics of other Royal Palaces. Only a small number of the pieces were acquired by Queen Juliana and her spouse Prince Bernhard, and by far the greater share was accumulated over the last 150 years from Kings Willem II and III, Queen Emma and Queen Wilhelmina. Many of the works still bear inventory marks and labels to show their origins in the seven Royal Palaces and Royal Residences throughout the Netherlands. The sale is for the benefit of charity. For details of the auction click here.

Fresh start of the week!

It is 9 a.m. here in Amsterdam. Kids just went off to school and I am sipping my first latte. It is cold outside but the sun is shining. I feel happy and I am looking forward to this busy week :). I hope you do too! Here are some snapshots from my sitting room in its current state.

In to the Neon: Part II

A while ago I shared my new upcoming pillow designs in Neon. At that stage they were still hand painted designs. Today, after a wonderful week in the snowy mountains, I received the new production from the atelier. This is just a quick snap shot. The new range will be available soon through my webstore, printed on 100% linen.

Growing Pains

Why is it that I never choose the easy road. Okay fine I took the decision to chase my artistic dream, but why for god sake didn't I just stick to my brush. Paint, exhibit, sell, paint some more...No that is just too simple when your name is Mariska Meijers. She just loves to complicate her life, she wants to build a business by extending her designs to products. Oeps, products means production, the type she does not have experience in, nor does her law degree fit that bill. Mariska just jumps and jumping can cause major headeaches when your landing techniques are not that flawless. Last week she finally called in the support troops and what a difference it has made already.
Today she is writing her blogpost with a mountain view and is enjoying a ski holiday with her children and friends while business continues with the wonderful talented support of others!

Global Activity!

lampshade and base sample (note: the white stripes 

will not be part of the final design!)

Almost everyday I "go" around the Globe. "Mini Me" needs to face the consequence of growing. I am not complaining, I love what I am doing, but if I could only steal some extra hours here and there wouldn't that be just fabulous.  Currently I have two exhibitions, one in Singapore and one in The Netherlands. There have been some wonderful new additions to store locations selling my products. For example Ada&Darcy is the first shop in Australia to carry a selection of my products. In the US we have added amongst others the Museum of Art shop in Fort Lauterdale, Anchor Cottage in Suttons Bay (Michigan) and Azul Boutique in Coral Gables (Miami).
I am working round the clock in preparation of my first trade fairs such as High Point first week of April. And....I picked up my first lampshade and base samples that I am planning to take to High Point. I found a wonderful lamp shade and base Studio nearby. The husband handcrafts the lamp bases (ceramic) and his wife makes the shades.
Last but not least I would like to thank my blogging sisters Kerry of a Tranquil Townhouse, Louise of Table Tonic, Kerri of Driftwood Interiors and Charlotta of Space of Inspiration (did I forget someone?) for blogging forward the donations of the beautiful table linen by Yvy&Piper and colorful screenprints (by me) the proceeds of which will go fully to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal. If you are interested in supporting this good cause by purchasing any of the items kindly contact ivyandpiper@hotmail.com.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend! x

With a little bit of help...Keep Queensland's flood victims in your hearts!

 Mr Smith's Blossom | limited edition screenprint signed and numbered

How quickly do we forget disasters when we are not a victim. The water is gone, but many Queenslanders have lost their homes and businesses. They need to rebuild and donations to the  Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal are still very welcome. Together with Ivy & Piper we have made a donation of screenprints and linens the proceeds of which will go fully to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal. You can also read about this donation in Ivy & Piper's 2011 Love Issue. If you are intersted in buying any of the 5 colorful limited edition screenprints (numbered and signed) or Ivy&Piper's beautifully crafted linen items please mail to ivyandpiper@hotmail.com. You can also help by blogging this forward! Thank you x

 Ivy & Piper's 100% linen beautifully monogrammed

napkins

Blossom in Lavender screenprint,

how stunning it looks when framed!

New press: Ivy & Piper's Love Issue 2011!

click here for IVP-TV - interview with stylish Diane Bergeron

I was over the moon when Melanie and Elizabeth contacted me a while ago for an artist feature in their Love Issue 2011. While we were working on it the flooding disaster struck Queensland. 

Since I started blogging I have become more and more connected to Australia because of some dear colleague bloggers. They make me feel that there are no boundaries, no oceans that divide us, no time zones. Sitting here in Amsterdam, watching the devestation on TV made me want to do something so I spontanously donated 5 screenprints and send them over to Ivy&Piper. All proceeds go towards the Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal. If you are interested to purchase one of these limited edition screenprints email to ivyandpiper@hotmail.com.

Going back to the wonderful content of Ivy & Piper's Love Issue 2011 make sure to read it. The issue includes bio's and interviews with design icons like Carleton Varney, Jamie Herzlinger and Diane Bergeron. Every single page is simply delicious!