studiojune

For her online magazine La Vida Curacao, writer and editor Susanne van Sambeeck interviewed me about art journaling and what it means to me. We had a very pleasant conversation (like always) and she wrote it down, with this article as a result. I felt honored and happy when it came out! Really nice to be part of this issue of La Vida. If you like tropical, Caribbean and stylish, check out the magazine at www.lavidacuracao.com. If you would like to know more about my art journaling and the workshop on April 1, check this page or my Facebookpage Peace of Art.

My heart skips a beat for all things creative. That’s what I have been feeling like for a long, long time. However, there were times that I really didn’t know how to express all of this love and creativity. But then, I found the perfect way; art journaling! After developing my skills – and my stock of art supplies! – for some years, I’m really happy to announce I will teach a workshop on April 1, 2020. To a small group of creative minds, at Curacao Coworking in Pietermaai; to inspire, motivate and share creative ideas.  Will you join us? I would really love to have you there! Read more on the Peace of Art page and on my Facebookpage. Feel free to contact me by e-mail or social media.

On Curacao, we have many talented artists. Some of them show their creative genious on the walls of long forgotten buildings, mostly downtown. There are angels who seem to have arrived straight from heaven, so real and so beautiful; birds are staring at you from a bunch of bricks and colors pop from a formely unfamous stairway. I truely love these paintings, each and everyone of them. It’s a great way of connecting with your audience, and bringing art within reach of everybody.

Sketch from my journal, september 2019

What made me think, is the way people use these masterpieces for their own good. It’s common practice to pose in front of it, take a snapshot and post it on social media. Not only are people standing in the way of the true artwork (half of it isn’t visible anymore), they also profit – in some way – of the very hard work that has been done by somebody else. Maybe artists don’t mind, I haven’t actually asked anyone yet, maybe they love it. But in my opinion, social media could get so much more interesting if we show our own work, our own lives, our own colors, doodles and thoughts. Surely they’re not all masterpieces, but at least they tell us something new.

They can be huge, they can be small… Once in a while, you find yourself in a magical moment, where nothing else matters. A short escape from worries, fears, and everything around you; witnessing something wonderful and miraculous. When I look back on these two moments, they are so different and yet so very much the same. They took my breath away – and made me wish the feeling would never end.

This has been on my mind for a while. The power of nature. I know there are tons of theories and explanations on the effects of being outside and enjoying a natural environment. I could do some research and try to explain, but probably it wouldn’t be the best explanation and I doubt if you would read it till the end. So I will just share some of my thoughts on this.

Connecting
Living our busy lives, most of us don’t go outside all that often. Focussed and a little tense, keeping an eye on the clock, we try to get as much work done as possible. We see the blue sky through the open window and switch back to the screen, Facebook-blue once more. Appreciation is being expressed by just one touch on the digital heart – the word love has lost a lot of its meaning and value. Real life conversations are interupted and paused for apps that need to be answered. The focus is on Whatsapp green, instead of the trees that surround us.

Not appropriate
The nice thing is, when we do go outside, digital connection seems inappropriate, at least for most of us. Calling, apping, liking make way for laughing, running and hiking. You might say a lot of people are still glued to their screen when they’re outside, but that’s mostly when they’re still in town or on a cultivated beach. Once you really go outside, into the mundi or walking along the shore, most of us feel their Apple or Samsung should at least stay in their pocket.

True colors
Being outside means experiencing some real blue, real green and a lot of fresh, sandy or salty air. Sunkissed or covered with sand; those are the best ways to relax profoundly. When you spent time outside together, good chance you will have a great conversation and experience a real connection, no wifi required. If you walk alone, the connection might even be more intense. You will see some true colors, not only on the outside.

Flowers popping up
When I sit down with my sketchbook without a plan on what to draw or write, I have taught myself to start something anyway. Most of the time some flowers pop up. The shape and repetition of the leaves are so beautiful in their simplicity, it is calming for the eyes and nourishes the soul. That goes for leaves, feathers, coral and many other gifts of nature. The shapes and repeating lines are a huge source of inspiration. For masters in art centuries ago, and for many of us today. Patterns are the perfection of nature. Once you pay attention to it, it will astound you. A highly skilled designer must have been at work.

Make art in the mundi
The last few years I have been developing my sketching and watercoloring skills, to my great pleasure. Quite some art journals have been filled with thoughts, sketches, paintings, collages and doodles. While on vacation, I bring out my journal to sketch and watercolor a beach, some flowers or any other scene. Outside, surrounded by the power and pleasure natures gives us. Loving it. It is something I would like to do more, here in Curacao. Who wants to join?

Some thoughts I want to share with you today. Maybe it’s the Christmas spirit that is already getting to me; it’s about values, love and respect. If you can relate, please let me know. To be honest, if you don’t agree, my question is to let it be and move on without telling me. Because this is not a matter to discuss, this is just the way I see it.

My statement
You don’t have to be born on Curacao to be a part of it. You don’t have to be raised by Antillean parents or be a ‘real’ Yu Korsou, to love this island.

Living our life
This is my life, right here, right now. On Curacao. Yes, I was born in the Netherlands, but that was then, this is now. My children were born on Aruba and Curacao, and I am still grateful for the caring hands that welcomed them when they came into this world.

Photo www.discoveringcuracao.com

My kids play at the beach and in the mundi, we have dinner outside, welcome some rain now and then, we soak up the sun; we enjoy the gift of Caribbean nature every day. The Chuchubi makes many hearts sing, mine too. The love of my life unfolds here, this is the place where we create unforgettable memories for our family album.

How we see things
I have profound respect for the elderly and can only hope that I may grow old like them. Sometimes I feel a little jealous when I see how people are supported by loving sisters, brothers, uncles and aunts; because once moved to the other side of the world, meant leaving most of our family behind. Many people living here, know how that feels. We live an honest life and try to meet all the demands placed on us; as parents, as a child, as citizens in this society. We have respect for everything alive, fellow human beings and animals too. We are open to the opinions of others and listen when someone tells us something. With more than average interest we listen if someone wants to share insights in local culture or takes the effort to explain traditions.

We do not violate laws, we hand out a helping hand when someone needs it. Respectful greeting when meeting somebody or entering a store, is something our children have learned early on. We participate in this society without fierce criticism and try to make the most of it, every single day.

Like a ‘real’ local
We sing along with the national anthem and have conversations in Papiamentu. We developed habits that are completely ‘in sync’ with the island, but would raise eyebrowes in the Netherlands. We speak with pride about Curacao and cheer along when the island has positive press coverage abroad.

But…
Nevertheless, officially we cannot call ourselves Yu Korsou. It’s a title worn proud by people who are born here. And like many other things, I do respect that as well. But I was wondering, could we come up with a nice name for all those people like us, who have been living here for many, many years and are giving this country lots of love? There has to be something out there better than Makamba.