It has been a while since updating this Blog. Today I updated the website and added some new works that were still missing.

In my personal life a lot has happened. Kids all have their own places to stay and I started living in Dordrecht. A beautiful town with a lot of art and music, and a lot of water around this Island in the south-west of the Netherlands, but still close to Brabant :-).

In November 2025 I got surprised by the request from an old colleague of mine from ODME/Toolex time, when I was working in procurement for Optical Disc Mastering Equipment. He wanted me to paint his partner in a very colorful setting. He showed me an example of what he was thinking of and the combination needed to be made with photo's from his wife Jacqueline. In that period I was still recovering from surgery and radiation therapy, so I told him that it could take a while before finishing.

It was no issue and every now and then he kindly asked about the status. Finally last weekend on Mothersday he was able to give the painting to Jacqueline. All day I was curious as to what she would think of herself seeing back on canvas. So I was pleasant surprised when I got her kind reaction late in the evening. 

Good evening Jolanda,

How do I even begin… The image you had of me when you painted my portrait truly left me speechless. I have never seen myself in so many colors before, as I’ve always been more of a black-and-white person, so it completely flabbergasted me.

Thank you for opening my eyes to the beauty of your art, and for making my day so much more colorful. You are truly an artist with an incredible eye for detail. I am deeply grateful and humbled by your work.

It was such an honor that you took the time to bring me to life on a canvas that will live on forever. For that, I will always be grateful.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Jacqueline

You can imagine, it took a while before I could sleep after that. It gives me great joy, to see a work finds its way to someone who really connects to the painting. 

On to the next challenge....