Painting life - by Philine van der Vegte
I look for the things that have lasted. Farmers, agriculture, animals, people. Sometimes a landscape or a still life.  
In painting farm animals, I am interested in the raw edge of farming life. They are not pets but economic production units. Life and death of these animals are in our hands. Their beauty and muscles serve a function, and when they can no longer supply this, their life ends. This dark side tempts me to painting the large lifesize horses and cows.
I paint portraits only from life. Whatever the practical drawbacks, I feel it is better to capture the essence of a person, a landscape or an object in this way. Find the truth through watching very carefully. Capture the light. I want to catch the "human-ness" of the sitter, their vulnerability, their strength.
I paint fast, and like to keep the freshness of the first sketch into my paintings. Tone and form are key.

FRESH OFF THE EASEL:

One thousand kilos, oil on linen 200x300cm

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

September 13 - October 20 Nazomeren, Galerie De Beuken, Laren

September 14 - October 20 Figuratief NOW!, Boterhal Hoorn

October 26-27: Kunst kijken Volendam, Pius X, Zeestraat Volendam

November 10 - January 7: Visitekaartjes 2019, Galerie Paterswolde

December 7 - January 5: Kijk, ledententoonstelling Boterhal Hoorn

January - February 2020: Solo exhibition Shell Technology Centre Amsterdam

January 11 - May 9 2020: Solo exhibition Westfries Gasthuis, Hoorn

End 2020: Solo exhibition Waterlands Museum De Speeltoren, Monnickendam