Our house, over nine hundred years old, overlooks an even older orchard. Across the street from that orchard is a beautiful Maison: an ancient two-story house with an attic. It has stood abandoned for decades. It is very popular with the Dutch: many are only too eager to buy it. Unfortunately. The house is family property and there is no way it will be sold. The grandfather of the farmer in the village lived there; it seems impossible for him and his family for someone else to move in.
The grandeur of this house is undeniable. Despite the fact that it is on the verge of collapse. It reminds me especially of houses found in the paintings of Vincent van Gogh. He was therefore my inspiration. To give the Maison the grandeur, the mystery with which it is surrounded, I edited the original photograph.
Since about 1974, I have been involved almost daily in photography, drawing (charcoal, graphite, conté, chalk, ink), painting, watercolour and/or collage making. In all these branches of visual work, I have tried a lot, found my own way, but.. Read more…