Art & Creativity Blog
On this blog, I write about tools and techniques for abstract art-making, about the inner journey of art, about developing a regular art practice, about creative habits, and about my own experiences with painting. Have fun reading!
Collage making: such a fun process!
Dear reader! I've been busy making collages from my own hand painted collage paper lately, and I would love to share my process. It's so much fun, and so easy! First: The collage paper The first thing that I did was making the collage paper. In this phase, I just do...
No time to paint?
No time to paint? Discover how you can start a creative practice and improve your mood and well-being today!
Sitting on a box of gold – painting as spiritual practice
Dear reader, There's an old tale, that is being told all over the world, in countless forms. It goes something like this: A beggar had been sitting by the side of a road for many years. One day a stranger walked by. 'Do you have some money?', asked the beggar?...
My favorite artists (2): Orly Avineri
In this blog post, I’ll write about Orly Avineri, an Israeli-American multi-media artist, that I admire! Take a look at her soulful work here!
Back to the Basics: Mark Making
Sometimes I like to go back to the basics, and make marks! No thinking involved, just let the hand move and let the eye explore what’s possible. Read on!
Five minute painting: forgetting about time
In this blog post, I show you a five minute painting proces. I set the timer on five minutes, and off I go. Watch the video!
Live painting demo: Floating Around
Dear reader, Today I made a painting on A4 format. I recorded the painting process, and if everything has turned out well, you can watch the video below. I actually really enjoy recording the process. It takes a bit time on beforehand (and afterward editing the...
Live painting demo: go with the flow
In this painting demo, I continue painting from a place of surrender: not knowing where to go, let the painting paint itself.
Live painting demo: Painting in Surrender
In this blog post, I’ll describe how two books of Michael Singer (‘The Untethered Soul’ and ‘The surrender experiment’ inspired today’s painting. Watch the video about the complete painting process!
Video Tutorial: Collage on a postcard (2)
Making abstract collages is so much fun, and you can do it in a fairly small amount of time! In this blog post, I’ll show you a video of the making of a postcard-size collage. It’s about 18 minutes long. Have fun watching!
How to get out of a painting slump through playing with found composition
Do you sometimes get in a painting slump? In this article, I show you how you can get out of it through using found composition with a paper window. Read on!
Why I built my own artist website (with Divi)
I have built my own artist website with Wordpress and Divi, and I’m super happy that I’ve done so. Read more!
Podcast: Planning your painting ahead or not?
Is it wise to plan your paintings ahead?’.I am tackling this question because I have been planning my painting a lot lately. And I’m wondering: is this a good idea? Listen to the podcast!
Podcast: Painting and the Purpose of your Life
Sometimes, we can wonder, if painting is our Life Purpose. Do you recognize this? We can ask ourselves: ‘Should we become fulltime artists, and earn our living with it? This podcast is all about these questions. Listen now!
Podcast: How to get out of your comfort zone as a painter
Getting out of your comfort zone as an artist is not always easy. But it is essential for your growth as a creative. That’s what this podcast is about. I will tell you my story and I will ask you questions about how you can take your next steps out of your comfort zone! Listen to this podcast and get inspired!
My favorite artists (1): Line Juhl Hansen
One of the first painters that I discovered was the Danish painter Line Juhl Hansen. I fell in love with her work at first sight, and I have been devouring her paintings on the Internet for years and years. In this blog post, I’ll let you know what I love so much about her, and I show some of her fantastic paintings.
How do you practice the Power of Now as a painter
‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle is a beautiful book about the importance of quitting the excessive thinking about the past and the future, and realizing that there is only one moment: ‘Now.’ Being in the Now does not always seem easy, but the good news is that making art can help you to step into the Now. Read the blog!
How mark-making gets you into the flow of painting
In this blog, I’ll show you that if you start making random marks on your canvas or paper, you don’t not only activate the canvas but also activate yourself! Making marks awakens your inner artist, and from there, your painting can evolve in a natural and effortless way. Read the blog!
Video: Collage on a business card #2
In this video post I’ll show you the process of making a collage on a tiny business card. Enjoy, watch the video, and try it out yourself!
Non-duality and abstract intuitive painting
When we paint from a non-dual awareness, we are dancing with our materials, and the materials dance with us in one colorful dance. Making a painting from that non-dual perspective is effortless. Every step on the road evolves from the former in a completely natural way. Read more about it in this blog!
Video: collage on a business card (3)
Making a collage of a very small size is fun! It only takes a little bit of time, and the tiny size creates the possibility to give extra attention to the small details. Try it out on the back of an old business card! Enjoy the video!
Video: Collage on a business card (1)
In this video-blog, I’ll show you how I made a very small collage on the back of a business card. Working on a small size is fun and is great for sustaining a daily art practice.
My favorite materials (2) Caran d’Ache Neocolor II crayons
In this blog post, I’ll write about one of my favorite materials: Caran d’Ache Neocolor II water-soluble crayons. I use these crayons all the time, since they give beautiful, rough marks, come in beautiful colors, make fantastic graphic marks and mix well with acrylic paint. Have fun using them!
Video: Collage on a post card (1)
Making abstract collages is so much fun, and you can learn heaps of it! In this blog post, I’ll show you a video of the making of a postcard-size collage. It’s about ten minutes long. Have fun watching!
My favorite materials (1): Golden Fluid Acrylics – Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold
One of my favorite materials is Gold Fluid Acrylics; Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, for using as the underlayer, making drips and glazing. Read more about it on my blog!
Challenge the artist-stories in your head!
When you have negative stories or limiting beliefs about art-making in your head, chances are that they secretly influence your inner artist in a sneaky way. Free yourself from limiting beliefs! Read more about it in this blog.
Why collage-making helps you to develop your art
By making collages you develop freedom in painting and mark-making, and you develop your eye for composition at the same time. Read this blog to understand why.
What to do if you don’t like your painting
If you don’t like your painting, you can do two things: focus on the product or focus on the process. Focus on the product will frustrate you, focus on the process will help you grow as an artist. Read more about it in this blog post!
Throw away the art you don’t love!
Throwing old paintings away can be difficult. and letting go of them might feel wrong. But throwing art that you don’t love away gives space and new energy! Read the blog!
The (un)importance of consistent art-making
Consistently painting on a regular basis is a fantastic way to grow your art and to develop as an artist. But don’t overdo and become you own slavedriver! Read the blog!
The power of Daily Painting: Reclaim your creativity!
If you are in a creative slump, or if you think that you’re not creative at all, daily painting can help you to reclaim your lost creativity. If this rings a bell, read this blog!
God is in the details: Found Composition vs Intentional Composition
Photographing details of your paintings helps you to develop your eye for composition and is fun to do! Read the blog!
The Power of an Art-Community
Having a community of artists around you can help your growth and happiness tremendously. Read the blog!
How I started painting – seven tips for aspiring artists
If you want to start painting, developing a regular creative practice is key. This way you will start to love the process, won’t get attached too much to your products, learn to trust your creativity and the result is that your inner artist will flourish! Read the blog!
Why art-making is the cheapest therapy ever
Creativity and art-making have a tremendous healing power. Instead of talking about your problems and fears and blockades, try art-making instead! Read the blog!
Why art-making makes you feel alive
When I started making abstract art a few years ago, I noticed a profound effect on my level of happiness and well-being. The simple act of putting paint on the paper or scratching marks on canvas gives a basic kind of joy. Read more in this blog!
How I started an art-blog
When I started painting, I immediately created a blog. I had joined a 30-day-painting-challenge and was encouraged to create a blog to present my work right from the start. Read more about this process in my blog!
Stop consuming other people’s art & start making your own!
If you love art and art-making, it can be so easy to keep looking at other people’s art, instead of making art yourself. But at a certain moment, it is time to stop consuming other people’s art, and to start creating your own! Read all about it on this blog!
The power of art-making within restraints
If you want to create it can be extremely helpful to restrain yourself in time, materials or size. These restraints free up your creativity. Read the blog!
Zentangles as a basis for abstract intuitive painting
Making Zentangles is an excellent way of getting out of your head and into the Now. You can take a Classic Zentangle and turn it into an abstract painting.