Dance between two countries #4

Note #4 – The Nomad

“My studio is wherever I am,” it said in capitals on an advertising lightboard. I often cycled along it and let the text buzz around in my head.
The lightadvertising was an artwork of an artist from Hengelo.

Even though I found it a beautiful text and a nice thought, it did not mean so much for me.
My studio was the same for years, always situated at the same place in Hengelo.
I lived and worked in Hengelo for six years.

In the 11 years that followed my studio moved 10 times. There were more beautiful and less beautiful places, large (a gymnasium, a canteen) and smaller places (half a yurt, a gazebo…).

This summer I made a mobile ‘second studio’ in paradise (Andalusia), which could expand from an Ikea plastic storage box, to several square meters on a piece of ground with dry grass, ants and sun spots in the shade of an almond tree.

Several times I thought of the light-advertising text.

I noticed that it started to fit me …

And last week, at the symposium in Spain, where – besides the fact that I wanted to make two paintings in 5 days – I worked in a public space where people came along all day, it began to fit like an old coat.

My studio is wherever I am.

Back in the Netherlands, I am tired but satisfied and I am looking back on a very good week.

A symposium where I met many new people. Artists and visitors.
A week full of beautiful conversations and encounters.
A mix of cultures.

A first experience of perhaps many more symposia to come.

Because, even though I was quite hesitant about it, because I thought I could only work well if I have no one around me, I saw it as a challenge – a trial period.

The ultimate test case for a hermit-like-artist like me.

I am happy with the outcome. I worked hard, but also enjoyed equally hard – or possibily even more.

And I conclude: The thought that I must be alone to paint, just sits in my head.

Like the thought about my studio…: