Shop Tales: The Opening!

In one word: wow! The official launch of the shop on the 2nd of May which also happened to be my birthday!  Celebrating an important milestone surrounded by an amazing group of people. Friends, family, business partners, clients...... I was a real cry baby that day. So many emotions.
I thought it would be best to share my friend Elizabeth Kleinveld's speech which she handed to me afterwards, handwritten on the above Picasso card.

"Mariska,

I remember first seeing you at the playground of school and hearing about all of the adventures you'd had at ABN AMRO Bank around the world. Exciting I thought. Who would have known that within 8 years you would have completely changed careers and would establish this beautiful flagship store to launch your make?
And yet if there 's anyone I know who has the determination and drive to achieve their vision, its you. The road here hasn't always been easy I dare say. It will still have its ups and downs. But you are a role model for each and everyone of us who dares to believe in their dreams believe in. And so she has - by opening this boutique Mariska has committed to her dream. Lets toast the birthday girl who surrounds us with her beauty and magic. If only we be so bold! As a famous German philosopher once said:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."

    


What is there to add when somebody says this to you. I felt tiny.....but wow also proud! Here is selection of pictures of the eventful opening of the Mariska Meijers Amsterdam Flagship Store! Thank you friends, family, supportive clients, fans...I could not have done this without you! xox

With friends Tom and Dianne Lugard

With dear friend and author Lise Goeman Borgesius

Champagne and Flowers!

With Jan Willem Loor (Schaap & Citroen Jewellers)

Camera rolling for the mini dock with artists Elizabeth Kleinveld
and E Paul Julien

With actress and director Medina Schuurman & Son

With architect friend Marcia Sookha

Small and big guests arriving by bike!

speechless... listening to speech

Couturier Peter Rommers and partner Hans Hinssen

With museum director Carine de Meyere

My adorable daughter Annemarth as bartender

enjoying a quiet moment with my love Herb Prooy

Our Store on Adore Home Magazine!

Just a quick blurb as I have to rush to a film shoot for my store (yes I know I am making you curious), but I just wanted to share the first social media attention we have received from Adore Home Magazine's blog! Thank you Loni Parker and team! To read click here.

Liberation Day!

Today is Liberation Day in Holland. Every year on the 5th of May we celebrate the end of the occupation of Nazi Germany but it also symbolic for freedom in general. Freedom is easily taken for granted when you live in a privileged country. The picture shows my mother Tine van Grootel with friends on my grandfather's decorated truck (with my grandfather behind the wheel). She is the girl with the smile on her face peering ofer the girl with the flowers in her hair looking down. When my aunt send me this picture a few weeks back I immediately recognized her. It was like spotting my daugther (and myself)!


Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry is own weight, this is a frightening prospect.
Eleonor Roosevelt

The Flagship Store is Open!

Just bear with me as I will soon post pictures on my blog about the event it is just that I feel a little tired right now(where is my social media assistant :)). Here is already one picture but for those of you who  can't wait there are more pictures on my Facebook Page!

Store Tales: Almost there!

Whaaa what was I thinking. Setting up shop in the historic city centre of Amsterdam. I received the key a few weeks back and slowly the place is starting to look like the real thing. I am learning new things everyday. I am enjoying (almost) every single minute, but I am totally exhausted in the evenings. Having a shop is such a different energy. One of the things I love most is the interaction and the feedback from my "end" customers. What is beyond all my expectations is that so far about 80% of my clients are from abroad. From Sao Paolo to Sydney from Stockholm to Tokyo....
This Wednesday May 2 on my 50th!!! ;}}}} birthday my Flagship will open officially. A new shopping destination for lovers of quirky, original home accessories, art & gifts. Most of it is my own designs, but teamed with vintage finds, photography by US artist Elizabeth Kleinveld and lamps from Paris by Mathieu Challieres with more to follow soon....(including a first peek at a Dunes and Duchess lampbase (made in in the USA) complimented with my lampshade in silk Micro Ikat (made in Amsterdam))
 

Setting up Shop at Singel 434 Amsterdam!

Singel 434 (front)

 artist impression (Mariska Meijers)

The last few months have been consumed by fulfilling another important part of my dream: finding the perfect spot for a store. The studio/showroom I occupied over the last 2 years was getting too small and my house was starting to look like a warehouse. But more importantly I kept getting this uncontrolable urge to have a window to the world. I was out on the hunt almost everyday on my bike or surfing the net, viewing properties.
Amsterdam has such a rich history. The Dutch Golden age was a time of ultimate prosperity, the Dutch East India Trading Company was one of the largest world powers. At this time gorgeous buildings were put up along the canals, the architecture lining the Herengracht and Singel were especially ornate.

Today most of these 17th century canal houses are still in tact and in one of these buildings I found my store!


I found some pictures of Singel 434 in the city's archives showing how the property and its surroundings have evolved. It still feels surreal that I am now occupying the ground floor of this 17th century monument overlooking the canal. I moved my paintings, pillow and tray designs, eclectic collection of furniture and accessories only last Thursday and we are really working hard to getting the space to work. It is becoming my second living room, a gigantic mood board and perfect setting to display my art and designs. A place to create new work and hopefully a new destination for those who love to be inspired.

Singel 434 in 1911

Singel 434 (in the'50s)

Singel 434 in the 1960s

Thank you Press in Amsterdam and New York (and my Mum)!

 commisioned water color of Dutch Interior for Residence (MariskaMeijers)

Editor's letter with my water color sketch

 

Ikat and Daisy birchwood trays in NYC&G magazine

 and on the NYC&G website

 With publicist and political scienist Mei Li Vos

 at the Esta Magazine event

Oeps, I completely forgot to post some new press on my blog. I posted some of it on facebook and can't remember if I tweeted. TOO many things to maintain! Anyway I am proud to share this wonderful artist profile in Dutch magazine Residence which since the arrival of editor in chief Jantien Nunnikhoven has become an absolute gem. Jantien also asked me to do an illustraion for the magazine with the theme "Holland's Glorie". Thank you Residence, Jantien and team for the wonderful exposure!
And then to my big suprise I received a message from my brother Bobby Berk in New York with a picture of NYC&G magazine (New York Cottages and Gardens) where he spotted 3 of my birchwood tray designs in Zoe Settle's article "Best in Show" about the NYIGF. Checking the magazine's website I saw my trays featured again. A big thank you NYC&G and Zoe!
Last but not least I attended an event yesterday organized by Dutch magazine Esta. I was selected out of 150 nominees to compete with 2 other talented women for the "creative" woman of the year award.
In a 2 minute presentation we had to tell why we are the best. Oh bummer it is something I do not like at all but it had to be done. There is something about talking in public. I am good with words, or at least I think. Writing is fine, an interview for a magazine or even the various TV appearances I had so far went all just fine, but standing in front of an audience....It is nerve wrecking. I have this "huge potato" in my throat when I speak and I tend to get emotional because it is oh so personal. Well I didn't win, I guess I am just not a Jack of all Trades but I am proud that I did it, speak I mean. Thank you ESTA and editor in chief Ellen de Jong I am already grateful for the nomination and congratulations to the winner film editor Elsbeth Kasteel!
Not sure whether you want to read what I said or at least what I wanted to say, because I forgot bits and pieces in all my nervousness but here it is.....(and I dedicate these words to my mother, love you mum!).

"My name is Mariska Meijers, mother of 2 kids. I live and work in Amsterdam as an artist-designer. I have my own label, including home accessories that are sold worldwide in (department) stores like Galeries Lafayette in Paris and Neiman Marcus in the US. You must think WOW what a success when you hear this, but what you don't know is that this part of my life only started a few years back.
I come from an artistic family. My mother was an opera singer. For hours she would practice to perfect her part in upcoming productions. As a child I joined her many times to the Opera and I would sit backstage next to the firemen, listening to my mother, goose bumps especially when the audience bravoed her. She could touch people with her voice and I felt that I wanted to do something like that too. Touching people. But life turned out very different. I did not choose an artistic education but went to law school and became a corporate lawyer for an international bank. But I did love that job for a long time and forgot all about my creative ambitions as a child. I travelled the world business class in high heels and suit. But a few years back I started to feel empty and the emptyness grew into a big black hole that could have swallowed me. I got out, in time, by myself. Got rid of the job and started all over again. Brush and canvas, no training, no track record of any kind in the art and design industry. Over the last 5-6 years I have been building my brand. It started with painting and from there I developed various product lines such as stationary, pillows, trays with much more to follow. Sold in over 15 countries already. A bumpy but wonderful road. I am proud that I am now in a position to touch people with my decorative arts like my mother did with her voice."

 

My parents (Christmas 2011)

In Respectful Memory of Marieke van den Heuvel-Wessels

Bright, cheerful and intelligent. Only a few characteristics of Marieke Wessels. I met her for the first time in 2003 when I became head strategic client marketing for ABN AMRO's wholesale division. She was part of our team, the youngest member but she was more grown up than most of us :)).
We worked intensly together but she was also part of my personal journey in the pursuit of my passion. It was her dream as well that when the time would be right to evolve in a more creative direction.
In May 2009 she called me that she was in hospital and that "things" were not looking good. Marieke was diagnosed with cancer. Shortly after that she started a blog "Ik wou dat ik een toverstafje had" which translates "I wish I had a magic wand". The blog is a wonderful written testimony of a feisty girl with an enormous stamina. Unfortunately her spirit was conquered by her unreliable body.
Yesterday I attended the funeral. Marieke (as we know Marieke) had to have the last words as she spoke to us in her good bye video. Dear Marieke YOU will not be forgotten and YES I promise I will live every day to the best of my ability and enjoy! I wish your husband Lukas, your parents, brother, parents in law and other family and friends a lot of strenght. Until we meet again in your creative heaven xox

Tea in the City

Abstract Neon with Teapot and Tea Cup (oil and gold leaf on canvas 40x40cm)

Sipping on a cup of tea right now, taking a moment to relax  is exactly what I need.  Constant chaos here in the house, the kids bustling in and out, friends visiting, finishing paintings that will me on show over the next few months at various locations in The Netherlands and Belgium. First exhibition of this year is already up and running at Tea in the City in Amsterdam.


Just moving to a new location, Tea in the City sells a wide range of teas and accessories to have your tea with style. Evelyn, the shop owner, one of my first clients has done a wonderful job with her new shop located in the southern part of Amsterdam on the Beethovenstraat.

Just inside of Tea in the City

My painting and products feel right at home! The exhibition features works highlighting the beauty of traditional Delft pottery, Asian ceramica, sweet cakes, and of course, tea! The paintings dot the staircase and are mostly shown in the salon upstairs.

While the exhibition is running, my pillows and trays will be brightening the window front against Amsterdam's grey skies!

Our New Window Display

Maybe just a sweet little tea tray to serve tea and biscuits on! Yum.

California Dreams: a week in pictures

touching picture of Meryl Streep and Colin Firth in the LA Times

I feel spoiled. I spend a whole week in California. Nooooo I have not been star gazing in LA during The Oscars (but could not resist watching it live on tv of course, especially being in the same time zone for a change). I have been hanging out in small beach towns North of San Diego. My daily routine started with a run on the beach. It keeps amazing me how many surfers are already in the water early mornings. What a luxury it must be to hit some waves before going to work. Californian lifestyle in these smaller beach towns is so laid back it just forces you to go in lower gear. And that is exactly what I did. A week of relaxing, thinking, planning, dreaming whith the soothing sound of the Pacific in the background. I even managed to finish a book that I bought at my favourite bookstore in New York, The Strand. An out of print book "Sonia Delauney: The life of an Artist" by Stanley Baron. It has been a fab week, California dreaming!...... and now back to the Amsterdam circus :))

In the Window of......Galeries Lafayette, Paris!

In Bloom Orange in the window (picture courtesy Galeries Lafayette)

 More bloom in the window (picture courtesy Galeries Lafayette)

What a start of the weekend! We just received these pictures from Galeries Lafayette. YES I am proud to see my designs in the windows of iconic department store Galeries Lafayette in Paris. What more can a girl wish for (besides the moon :)). Have a wonderful weekend, mine will be bubbly for sure!