"Almost Incredulous Feats in Mid Air....."

 

 Ingenious display @ Andrew Martin (Maison et Objet)

With The Zush @ NYIGF 

  Lamp Base by Dunes and Duchess

 (the yellow is just perfect with my dark grey walls!)

Happy to bump into Anna Spiro

Storefront Elizabeth Bauer

VaVaVooom from Paris to New York back to Amsterdam!
I hope I don't make you mad by just "flying by" occassionally nowadays. It is what it is, I do the best I can dividing time between creating my art and designs, building the brand, doing the trade fairs, make sure that my products turn out the way I want them to turn out and oh yes there are my children as well 13 and 16, lovely age :)). Hence this fabulous antique Circus Poster that was gracing the walls of Andrew Martin's booth at the Maison et Objet. It simply says it all!
[According to the Oxford Dictionaries  "incredulous" means "unwilling or unable to believe something" and a "feat" is "an achievement that requires great courage skill or strength"]. REALLY in all honesty I can hardly believe that I survived the last 12 months (and still absolutely LOVE what I do).

Paris was covered in my previous post and as far as New York is concerned, our second NYIGF was beyond expectations.  We have wonderful new stores on board (including one of America's iconic department stores!) which we will disclose on our list of retailers as soon as the products are delivered early Spring.
I was delighted to see Jonathan Adler (again :)), but I did not take a groupie picture with him this time (ha ha), the elegant Quintessence and Hamptontoes, wonderful client The Zush,  ELLE Decor, Canadian House and Home, Home Accents Today and many more (and I apologize about the lack of pictures, there was hardly any time...). I also took some inspiration home from the fair. A wonderful lamp base designed by Dunes and Duchess. I just can't wait to design a lamp shade to go with it but in the meantime it already looks superb as an ornament!
After the show I had a day of meetings (of course :))}} but also some time to play so I finally managed to see Elizabeth Bauer's store whose eclectic style is right up my street. The cherry on the cake was bumping into one of my favourite designers Anna Spiro!

Travelling the World

A quick update as I am busy travelling the world with my designs in tow. After spending a week in Paris for the Maison et Objet I had less then 24 hours at home in Amsterdam before flying to New York to set up for the New York Internantional Gift Fair. One wonders what the hell the organisers of these fairs are thinking when they plan these shows so close together considering quite a few exhibitors do both shows. But let's not complain. Travelling the world has its absolute perks (besides being slightly exhausted). In Paris I stayed with my team in an appartment, courtesy of one of my clients, with a fabulous view, having too many pains au chocolat and well deserved dinners in great little places. And now in New York the view from my friends' appartment isn't bad ether :). As I have promised myself for this year That I will spend more "self" time. I will get in to my running gear NOW for a run along the Hudson riverside before heading of to my first day at the NYIGF and wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

2012 HERE WE GO AGAIN! Kicking off with shows in Paris and New York

 Ikat & Fish tray based on a hand-painted design (Mariska Meijers) made in Scandinavia out of FSC certified birchwood

to be launched at the Maison et Objet and NYIGF

Oh yes the wonderful circus has started again. In full preparations for the shows in Paris (Maison et Objet 20-24 Jan) and New York (NYIGF 28 Jan-2 Feb). I am excited, nervous and still have a massive list of "Things to Do", but I Do I Do love it!
Today I received a letter from the organisation of the Maison et Objet that 'Mariska Meijers Amsterdam'  has been selected by their Committee to receive the label of Special Archi Designer which according to the letter "you receive for your know-how, your recoginized expertise and your custom-made production for large-scale projects". A wonderful reward for all the hard work last year!

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work*."

Colin Powell 

*and in my case also tears sometimes Mr Powell :)

Bye Bye 2011, Hello 2012!

with my kids Annemarth and Mauk (26 december 2011)

For the last few weeks I have been quiet on all fronts: Blog, Facebook, Twitter...... Mid December I just crashed. Exhausted, in bed with the worst flue in years. My body forced me to take a rest, but my mind kept wandering, especially about all the things that have happened last year and how to go forward.
2011 has been a year of enormous growth. We did our first trade shows in Highpoint, New York and Paris, added more product ranges and designs, received great media coverage. I met inspiring people, including Jonathan Adler and Maxwell Gillingham. More designers and retailers support the brand Mariska Meijers Amsterdam and last but not least the social media support has been fantastic. But in between successes I had many doubts and insecurities as well. Am I good enough, can I keep up with the pace...... I have had days that I felt I was all over the place, losing focus. I just so much admire colleagues who just seem to manage everything effortlessly. I could make a long list of do's and don'ts for 2012.....I could but I won't.....

What I envisage for the New Year is that I will continue to believe in myself. I will continue to do my best every day to the best of MY ability, whether it is being a mother, (girl) friend, daugther, sister, artist, designer, marketeer, employer.... I will not worry (too much) about what others say about me. I will continue to trust my heart and gut feeling and be grateful for all the support and positive feedback I receive. I will continue to embrace life with all its ups and downs and be happy with the choices I have made.

Thank you for your support and patience and I wish you all a wonderful 2012, making time to chase your OWN
dreams!

"Man, alone, has the power to transform his thoughts into physical reality; man, alone, can dream and make his dreams come true." Napoleon Hill

The 2nd edition of HeartHome magazine has arrived!

Huge compliment for editors-in-chief Carole King and Arianna Trapani and art editor Daniel Nelson for yet another "tour de force". The 2nd edition is filled with fabulous (holiday) inspiration and interviews with even more fabulous inspiring people like bird of paradise Zandra Rhodes, Design Sponge's Grace Bonney and ELLE Decoration's newly proclaimed Designer of the Year Mr Lee Broom!!!
pssssss For this issue I worked with the HeartHome team on a feature on my wonderful hometown Amsterdam (on which I will do a separate post).
It is a must read so click here and absorbe!  Note: all pictures in this post are via HeartHomeMag

Museum Talk

 Charles in a Striped Jersey (Henri Evenpoel, 1898)

Mauk in a Striped Jersey (hallway @ home)

 

new facade Stedelijk Museum

 

inside the new exhibition hall @ Stedelijk Museum

One of my Eclectic Interiors (100x100cm, oil on canvas)

on show @ Wereldmuseum Rotterdam 

Last week was all about museums for me both as visitor and exhibitor.

VAN GOGH MUSEUM AMSTERDAM

At the Van Gogh Museum I saw Snapshot. Painters and Photography, 1888-1915 an exhibition that zooms in on artists' everyday live. On show are phothographs and paintings by George Hendrik Breitner, Pierre Bonnard, Maurice Denis, Henri Evenpoel, Henri Rivière, Felix Valloton and Edouard Vuillard. The exhibition gives an great insight on the creative process of these painters. 

My favourite of this exhibition is a painting (and matching photograph) by Evenpoel "Charles in a Striped Jersey". Dated 1898, but looking so unbelievably modern and touching (Charles was his illegitimate child). I went back twice to study this wonderful painting and made me laugh at my own attempt a few years back to paint a portrait of my son Mauk (in a striped jersey). I guess I will never become a portrait painter....
The exhibition will run from 14 October 2011 to 8 January 2012 at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam(and in Washington from February to April 2012, and in Indianapolis from June to early September 2012).

STEDELIJKE MUSEUM AMSTERDAM
Our "MoMa" closed for many years for extensive renovation, to be re-opened in 2012. I was lucky to get a sneak preview last Friday when the spectacular white main entrance façade of the Stedelijk Museum was officially revealed by means of a lightshow (and meeting the architect Mels Crouwel of BenthemCrouwel).

WERELD MUSEUM ROTTERDAM
In connection with the exhibition Future Pass two of my paintings will be on show and the Museum store has added my designs to their collection. The exhibition will run from December 8 to March 11, 2012.

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend. I am flying off to London!

 

Black Friday teams up with the Weekend Proffer

Being Dutch I am not really familiar with Black Friday. Wikipedia says: "
Black Friday is the day following Thanks Giving Day in the United States, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas Shopping season. On this day, most major retailers open extremely early, often at 4 a.m., or earlier, and offer promotional sales to kick off the shopping season.
So Black Friday teams up beautifully with my recent tradition of the Weekend Proffer. I am offering my giclees and screenprints (any design) normally €170 (ex shipping) for €120 (including shipping, even international!). If you are interested send us an email at info@mariskameijers.com.
For more designs check our webstore but to receive the deal order by email! Wishing you all a Black but Happy Friday!

Belated Weekend Proffer & British Interior Design Magazine Heart Home

Working weekend with Arianna Trapani of HeartHomeMag 

 

and with Carole King of HeartHomeMag

Photographer Wouter van Ierssel at work

for HeartHomeMag at Bridges (Sofitel The Grand Amsterdam)

Belated Weekend Proffer In Bloom Green tray table

Oh yes I did not forget about the Weekend Proffer but I was having a wonderful time working with the team of British online Magazine HeartHome on a feature for their next issue (to be launched December 8). Their next issue will be filled with so much inspiration and holiday goodies so mark your diaries!
The belated Proffer is the In Bloom Green tray table, hand made in Scandinavia made out of FSC cerified birchwood (65cm) with a foldeable black metal base. Normally €325 now €260 including shipping. If you are interested drop me an email at  info@mariskameijers.com. There is only one available at this Proffer price!

Thursday's Pep Talk: Isaac Mizrahi on fashion and creativity

"..as a matter of fact a lot of my design ideas come from mistakes and tricks of the eye because I feel there are so many images out there, so many clothes and the only ones that look interesting to me are the ones that look slightly mistaken ofcourse or very suprising.."

    ISAAC MIZRAHI

When I am having a lunch break at my desk one of my favourite habits is to tap into TEDtalks.
After watching one or two talks I always feel inspired and full of positive energy, ready to take on the rest of the day. Today I saw a 2008 funny, inspiring, uplifting talk by Isaac Mizrahi. This made me also go to his website which besides his collections includes a videoblog and web-i-sodes. Mizrahi is so much more than a fashion designer and thank got he is not striving for perfection!

Isaac Mizrahi on fashion and creativity | Video on TED.com

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......

Dark but Happy Monday!

 

Monday morning, outside it is a bit gloomy, inside I am enjoying my (new) dark walls (above just a sneak peek, soon more about revamping my house on the blog). Have to say I have had the most fantastic, relaxing weekend since ages. Friday I had the honour attending the 5th Stars, Food & Art event at Sofitel The Grand in Amsterdam. A culinary feast/charity event organized by my friend Lise Goeman Borgesius of Clafoutis. 6 chefs, in total 13 Michelin Stars, including Sergio Herman, Jean-Andre Charial, Erik van Loo, Giovanni D'Amato, Lucas Rive and Emmanuel Renaut. Yes I confess I am a food groupie!

Have a beautiful week everyone!

 Cake of Piece, Sergio Herman***

 More deliciousness...

  Proud of Lise!

 Having a groupie moment flanked by 4 Michelin stars Lucas Rive** 

and Eric van Loo**

Sporting Arts - The London 2012 Olympic Posters Unveiled

Sports and arts unite as the 2012 Olympic posters were unveiled at the Tate. An impressive group of British artists, including Tracy Emin, Bridget Riley and Rachel Whitebread are responsible for the designs. To see all go to BBC News.
Which one is your favourite? I find it hard to choose!

The picture below was my painting for the Dutch Ladies Olympic Hockey team which was also used for cards handed out by the team in Beijing in 2008 where they won Gold.The painting was auctioned for the charity "Spieren voor Spieren".