Six months ago my family and I became the owners of a farm in the beautiful east of the Netherlands. Surrounded by woods and nature, I've found a wonderful place to paint and make sculptures. For inspiration, all I have to do is look outside. Nature has always been my source of inspiration, and actually living in the middle of it still feels like a dream every day. We've already renovated a small part of the farm. It has become a lovely place where my family and I can retreat. Soon we'll start the big renovation, in which the original part of the farm will be turned into a large studio. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Recently, photographer Danielle Nieuwenhuizen came by to take photos of my life here on the farm. She captured the light beautifully and edited the photos in a way that goes so much further than an ordinary photo.
Carina Kroeze at the farm, photographed by Danielle Nieuwenhuizen
At the moment I'm busy with a number of portrait commissions and with starting new paintings. I like working on several canvases at the same time. I love building up a certain layering in my paintings. For that, a canvas needs to dry in between, which is why I start several at once. By applying multiple transparent layers, a painting gains more depth and life. You can see this really well in my latest work of the wren. In some places there's barely any paint, in others I've applied paint with the palette knife. It's exactly that contrast that makes it so much more fascinating.
A painting of a wren
In some places there's barely any paint, in others I've applied paint with the palette knife. It's exactly that contrast that makes it so much more fascinating.
This season is truly my favourite. It's as if everything is waking up again, and life is getting going once more. The trees are in blossom, the birds are busy with their new lives, and how lovely that, just before Easter, four chicks were born here. With their cheerful cheeping in the background, painting is a real joy. In this place I'm even more aware of the wonders of nature, and that makes me want to capture them on canvas even more. It's so nice to share this with others and to notice that they enjoy my work and my view on life too. Making the world a little more beautiful – there's no better goal.
Thank you so much for reading my first blog post. Lots of new things are going to happen and I'd love to keep you posted. I wish you a very happy Easter, and see you in my next post.
Curious about my work? Take a look in my shop, where you'll find my paintings, sketches and giclées.
The photos were taken by Danielle Nieuwenhuizen – do have a look at her website.
Love,
Carina Kroeze
