On a walk through my city Haarlem , took pictures and so now a few painted and drawn . Haarlem has beautiful and nice and romantic almshouses, very nice to try to capture them creatively. This is one of the most picturesque hofjes,
The Haarlem hofjes are special. Rustic courtyards, with beautiful small houses. For those who look closer, the historical details tell the story of Haarlem's rich history. Beautifully decorated facades with coats of arms show how rich benefactors had houses built for poor, single women and widows as early as the 14th century. In those days they could not fall back on government support. With a weekly allowance of about five cents, a monthly jug of butter, some meat and fuel for the stove, these women lived very simply. The old water pumps and reliefs paint a picture of their existence in the Haarlem hofjes.
The hofje van Guurtje de Waal is one of the most picturesque hofjes in Haarlem and was painted here with watercolor and East Indian ink. It is a romantic and atmospheric picture.
                                
 
                                I have time to draw and paint more after years of volunteer work for the St. Care Foundation The Gambia. Inspiration I got in the Gambia where I also lived. The colors, the population and life is a great source of inspiration. But also the quieter.. Read more…
 Portrait of an African woman with gold. Hand-painted.Ineke de Rijk
Portrait of an African woman with gold. Hand-painted.Ineke de Rijk Portrait of a woman hiding.  Hand-drawn.Ineke de Rijk
Portrait of a woman hiding.  Hand-drawn.Ineke de Rijk Portrait of an African woman with headdress. Hand-painted.Ineke de Rijk
Portrait of an African woman with headdress. Hand-painted.Ineke de Rijk Abstract figurative portrait, Dame Blanche. Hand-painted.Ineke de Rijk
Abstract figurative portrait, Dame Blanche. Hand-painted.Ineke de Rijk Portuguese Fishing boat on the beach in the Algarve.Ineke de Rijk
Portuguese Fishing boat on the beach in the Algarve.Ineke de Rijk Terrace in a Parisian street.Ineke de Rijk
Terrace in a Parisian street.Ineke de Rijk Autumn in Montmartre.Ineke de Rijk
Autumn in Montmartre.Ineke de Rijk Judas medal 1. Hand-painted watercolourIneke de Rijk
Judas medal 1. Hand-painted watercolourIneke de Rijk Watercolour of pink peonies, abstractly painted.Ineke de Rijk
Watercolour of pink peonies, abstractly painted.Ineke de Rijk Geishas and kimonos 1. Portrait hand-painted.Ineke de Rijk
Geishas and kimonos 1. Portrait hand-painted.Ineke de Rijk Geishas and kimonos 3Ineke de Rijk
Geishas and kimonos 3Ineke de Rijk Geishas and kimonos 4Ineke de Rijk
Geishas and kimonos 4Ineke de Rijk Watercolour of a pollard willow in blue and silver.Ineke de Rijk
Watercolour of a pollard willow in blue and silver.Ineke de Rijk Blue with gold orchid.Ineke de Rijk
Blue with gold orchid.Ineke de Rijk Abstract impression of bulb fields.Ineke de Rijk
Abstract impression of bulb fields.Ineke de Rijk The Golden Tears .  Portrait inspired by Gustav Klimt.Ineke de Rijk
The Golden Tears .  Portrait inspired by Gustav Klimt.Ineke de Rijk Portrait of a Zeeland girl in the golden rays of the sunIneke de Rijk
Portrait of a Zeeland girl in the golden rays of the sunIneke de Rijk Portrait of a man reading a letter. Watercolour, hand-painted.Ineke de Rijk
Portrait of a man reading a letter. Watercolour, hand-painted.Ineke de Rijk Woodland nymph in the style of Gustav Klimt ( 4 )Ineke de Rijk
Woodland nymph in the style of Gustav Klimt ( 4 )Ineke de Rijk Helige Lotus -3 Japandi / Wabi SabiIneke de Rijk
Helige Lotus -3 Japandi / Wabi SabiIneke de Rijk