G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
When I first saw this woman standing in front of a shop window I actually thought she was one of the dummies showing the latest style in fashion. I soon realised she's nothing of the sort,she's not a dummy, she has a head. A real person full of feelings and thoughts and definitely not for sale. The spotlight should be aimed at her and not at the lifeless goodies behind her.
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
The window between the two bookcases really makes todays painting tick for me. While you can't be sure whether the man and woman are staring at the books or out of the window, I like the think the latter is true. Books are windows to another world and to me my couple is already there.
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
I love making these paintings of bookshelves. You always have to look for just the right composition, otherwise the whole painting fails. At times I feel like Mondriaan must have felt. As a matter of fact one could see the still life paintings of books as a realistic Mondriaan, if you don't count the diagonal books that is.
Hema woman waiting to get served at Hema street counter
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
Hema is a well known warehouse in the Netherlands. Almost every store has a street counter as well which offers drinks, bread and warm snacks. On my painting you see a woman standing right in front of one those street counters, waiting to get served.
I really love painting small reoccuring moments like this. It might appear as insignificant or even trivial at first sight, but I strongly believe that great truths of live are to be found in just those moments. The molehill is the mountain.
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
Todays painting started out as a scene in a bookstore, but I wasn't satisfied with the background. Even after making several adjustments it still didn't please me. Then I did something drastic, I gave the background a dark color leaving my figure bathing in light.
It now looks like the figure is standing on stage performing. It also reminds me of the wonderful works by Caravaggio or Rembrandt. That satisfies me for sure!
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
In the back of the store near the emergency exit I saw this man sitting there reading. The book so absorbed him that I don't think he would moved an inch if the place caught on fire.
Mister Etam man standing in front of clothing store
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
Hanging out in front of stores seems to be quite popular with guys. The man on my painting certainly likes it. He's standing in front of a Miss Etam store, a well known clothing store here in the Netherlands. He's probably waiting for his wife or girlfriend to return, in any case for some reason he's not willing to go inside. I thought Mister Etam would be a proper title.
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2010 Not For Sale
Yes, I know I've said I wouldn't make a high heel shoe in a while, but a close friend threw her birhtday party last night. She just happens to love shoes. As a matter of fact she has a couple of Christian Louboutins and well, I thought a shoe painting would make a wonderful gift.
I painted this one especially for her. She nearly broke out into tears when I gave it to her. That's how much she loved it. Wow. Being a painter is great!
Sportschool (Dutch for Gym) man working out in gym
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2010 SOLD
Beauty is a choice. It used to be a gift bestowed upon a lucky few, but through the aid of modern cosmetic surgery we can now transform our bodies and facial features to our own liking.
Remember when cosmetic surgery was something people almost always denied having done? Michael Jackson did so, but we all knew he had multiple operations and yes, we made fun of it.
But slowly but surely cosmetic surgery is shifting from something we gossip about to something one should be proud of. A new tool for self-improvement, an achievement.
If looking good has become a choice, then staying ugly is one too. I fear the time when people say to each other:'Look at that poor ol' thing, his nose is so crooked and his lips could use a little improvement too. I cannot understand why he hasn't done something about it.' The answer just might be:'Well, I think he's poor and his medical care probably doesn't cover it. Such a shame!'
If this all sound a little too far out, you might be right. Cosmetic surgery still has its limits. It cannot transform you into a giant overnight, but having surgery has become more and more commonplace. It has been accepted.
And if you have the means and what you want is within its limits, well, then it's no different from dying your hair or getting your nails done. It's a choice. At least the figure on my painting is doing it old school: trying to loose weight by actually working out. That's a choice too.
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
There's something about Egypt. When I look at the pyramids, temples, statues or other things the ancient Egyptians build, I always feel like there's more than meets the eye. Like they knew something that we now somehow forgot. Not just building techniques, but a philosophy, knowledge or something like that. Of course historians have some answers, but to me it somehow feels incomplete.
Then I cannot help but wonder if there are people out here today who might know. Why else would there be an obelisk at the Vatican or the Whitehouse? Why is Paris named after the Egyptian goddess Isis and why Philadelphia more or less copied its street plan?
The answer might be painfully simple, but then again it might not. Like I said there's something about Egypt.
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
Beside images words are powerful tools for the way we think. The more you read the more words you know which ultimately leads to better thinking. And since you become what you think about most of the time, better thinking makes you a better person. You're going from good to great.
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
On the topfloor of a small local shoppingmall there was a spot were you can look down to the groundfloor. I did and saw a man and woman having coffee on the groundfloor, but not together.
Immediately the term 'Koffie Verkeerd' came to mind. That's Dutch for latte, but it literally means something like coffee the wrong way, too much milk makes it wrong I guess.
To me that was happening here: they were having coffee the wrong way. Why not talk and enjoy eachothers company? I mean, they are both about the same age, sitting there alone, wouldn't it be much more fun if they actually stroke up a conversation?
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
I keep going to bookstores these days. I can't help it, I just love going there. The atmosphere, lighting and of course all the books just draws me in everytime. Ever since I kicked my tv to the curb, I read even more than I used to!
Stop Sign woman standing standing on streetcorner Leidsestraat Amsterdam
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
On the Leidsestraat in Amsterdam I saw this woman standing in front of a store. Perhaps she's taking a rest, or just waiting for her friend who went into the store to show up again. In either case, I thought the sign was quite symbolic: we all need to stop and take a moment to think about where we're heading in life. Little moments like this reminds me do so every once in a while.
Outside woman standing in front of building near the Spui in Amsterdam
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
And we're outside again, looking at a woman standing in front of a building near the Spui in Amsterdam. It looks like she's looking straight back at us, but perhaps she doesn't. I wonder what she's thinking though.
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
I forgot which store this is, but I remember standing on an escalator when this scene suddenly appeared. I like this view from above, you can clearly how many cd's there are and how hard it must be for the woman to pick her favourite.
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
LA Art Show
From Rembrandt to Ruscha and beyond. I'm proud to announce that for the third time in a row my work can be seen at the booth of Amstel Gallery at the LA Art Show in Los Angeles. The centerpiece of the citywide Los Angeles Arts Month, returns to LA's renowned Convention Center from january 19-23.
The 16th annual LA Art Show showcases over 100 prominent galleries from around the globe showing a dazzling array of art from old masters to cutting edge contemporary artists. It will kick off with an Opening Night Premiere Party on Wednesday January 19 with attendees like museum patrons, political dignitaries, collectors and celebrities.
I will show some of my latest larger sized hyperrealism paintings. More information about the LA Art Show can be found here.
Red Hat man wearing Red Hat in public library Amsterdam
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
A man wearing a red hat is flipping through some pages of a magazine in the public library of Amsterdam. I love how the red is dancing around, showing up in all corners, but still the man's hat pops out. kind regards, Gerard
White Cubes man searching for books in public library Amsterdam
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
Living in a free society with much to choose from is wonderful, but it can be a bit overwhelming at times. There's isn't enough time to read every book in the library so you have to be choosy. I think our lives are filled with decisions like this, some are tough while others are quit easy. Too much choice isn't necessarily a good thing, but still I wouldn't trade places with someone living in a society where there's no choice at all. kind regards, Gerard
Another World man reading a book in public library Amsterdam
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
What could be better than sitting down in a comfortable chair and just start reading? Forgetting about the outside world for a minute and getting lost in a whole different world for a change. kind regards, Gerard
Top Corner man studying in public library Amsterdam
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
Likewise my painting One Level Up todays painting Top Corner is situated in the public library of Amsterdam as well. As a matter of fact, Top Corner is situated just a level above One Level Up. I like the strange effect of just seeing the man's face towering above the wall with books. To his right you see his laptop and handbag.
kind regards, Gerard
Bearded Man Woman Viewing Portrait Of Bearded Man Getty Museum
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite ± 2.3" x 2.8" or 6 x 7.3 cm 2011 SOLD
The second oddment this weekend shows a woman viewing a portrait of a bearded man in the Getty Museum in LA. It's really fun to paint something this small and still achieve a certain level of realism!
If you're interested in purchasing Bearded Man just send me an email with your best offer and the painting might be yours.
I decided to call my extremely tiny paintings oddments again like I used to in the very beginning of my blogging days. These paintings are about 2.3" x 2.8" or 6 x 7.3 cm in size and usually done on left over pieces from larger sized panels.
Todays oddment shows a close up of a woman enjoying Vincent Van Gogh's Wheatfield With Crows. Rumor has it that this is the last piece painted by Van Gogh right before he went insane and committed suicide. This isn't true according to art historians, but I can clearly see why people like to think so.
Wheatfield With Crows really is an eery painting with the vibrant darkblue sky and the crows flying directly towards you. It might not be the final painting done by Van Gogh, but is sure is symbolic for the nearing end. It definitely is my favourite piece by him!
My larger sized painting I keep talking about is finally completed after more than 2 months of hard labour. I'm now thinking about how to present this work the best way I can.
If you're interested in purchasing Crows just send me an email with your best offer and the painting might be yours.
One Level Up woman studying in public library Amsterdam
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
The public library of Amsterdam has splitlevel floors, at least in some sections. It's just great, you have a stunning view of the ground floors of the library and when you look the other way you just might see something like todays painting.
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
A man sitting at his desk studying his books one late night. The scene is beautifully lit by some artificial light which gives the whole painting a certain mood I defenitely like.
G. Boersma acrylics on masonite 6" x 6" or 15 x 15 cm 2011 SOLD
Do you know how hard it is to pick up a magazine you like at your local bookstore? The interesting ones are always placed at the back row. It really is annoying to get one out without wrinkling the pages!
I'm honoured to announce the new video clip Absolutely Absurd by The Proov. It features 2 of my paintings!
The Proov represents Hip Hop, from a jazzy, dusty, funk feel to electro resonance. Absolutely Absurd is a brand new track taken from their forthcoming album Off-the-Cuff. And I'm doing the cover art!
Happy New Year and I sure hope you enjoy this song!
