Cruz Del Sur Painting

Swiss born Dutch Artist, lives and works currently in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The quote "I don't like to paint what I see, I like to see what I paint" is often attributed to the abstract expressionist painter Hans Hofmann. Hofmann was known for his unique approach to color, form, and space, and his teachings have influenced many modern artists. This quote reflects his belief that the act of painting is not just a replication of the visible world but an exploration of the artist's internal vision and creativity. Early age on I had a talent and passion for drawing and painting. I paint colorful and mostly abstract. First self-taught, but later in my life attended art classes at the College of the Desert in California with a famous art teacher David Einstein who used to live together with Andy Warhol in New York. One of my paintings at the time "Beach" was featured in the Palm Springs Art Museum and drew a lot of attention. The ways of painting are unfathomable, they follow their own logic and end in dead-ends or lead into surprising new territory. Usually I have quite a battle with the white canvas. As an eternally seeker, there is always courage needed to leave the comfort zone and advance to unknown terrain. I love vibrant juxtaposing colors but any single brushstroke requires a new decision. My work is done with acrylic paints, sponges and brushes mostly on canvas. I draw inspirations from everyday life, often things, structures, nature, architecture that initiate a new idea. The mix of graphic and chaotic elements determine whether or not to be in my art. Most of the time I work out of the moment. Sometimes I have a picture in the head for days until it calls for an implementation on to my canvas. Not infrequently, I rework the existing work several times to create space for new objects. I always have to work on several canvasses at once in case I get stuck with one. My pauses in individual works can last hours, days - sometimes months or years. One step forward, three sideways, two backwards. At each crossroads, the direction can be changed, stopped, walked straight or turned back. Self-doubt, self-criticism are my constant companions. At a certain point the painting comes alive, takes on a life of its own and reveals itself. And when my inner voice explains the picture to the finished work of art – I finally stop.