Reviving an old hobby
After having written the two books on decision making I needed to do something else next to the scientific research and I remembered how much I liked the painting classes as teenager in the grammar school. We were free to paint whatever we wanted and for three hours I got completely immersed in the world of colours and forms. Although I was not satisfied with my products, every year I got a price and my father was very proud of me because he believed that I inherited his artistic talent which he relinquished for a regular profession.
Although I knew I had not his talent, - he could draw immediately what he saw and put it in perspective-, I decided to paint at a lower level. Perhaps I could learn something under the guidance of an artist.
Although I knew I had not his talent, - he could draw immediately what he saw and put it in perspective-, I decided to paint at a lower level. Perhaps I could learn something under the guidance of an artist.
The atelier in Amsterdam
First of all, I started to paint when we got more space in our house in Amsterdam. There were many white walls and I thought that I could make the rooms more attractive by copying some paintings I liked and decorate the walls. An example of my efforts is shown at the side. Since I enjoyed again to paint, I looked for a teacher to learn more.
It was quite easy to find an atelier in Amsterdam where people practised their hobby. Most of them were middle aged women and some of them went there mainly to talk so that frequently the teacher wandered whether she gave a conversation or a painting class. Since these persistent talkers did not get the hint, the teacher became very rough with them and they left the atelier. The people who remained had an interest in painting and we stayed there for years in a pleasant atmosphere. We even met each other privately at dinners and parties.
First of all, I started to paint when we got more space in our house in Amsterdam. There were many white walls and I thought that I could make the rooms more attractive by copying some paintings I liked and decorate the walls. An example of my efforts is shown at the side. Since I enjoyed again to paint, I looked for a teacher to learn more.
It was quite easy to find an atelier in Amsterdam where people practised their hobby. Most of them were middle aged women and some of them went there mainly to talk so that frequently the teacher wandered whether she gave a conversation or a painting class. Since these persistent talkers did not get the hint, the teacher became very rough with them and they left the atelier. The people who remained had an interest in painting and we stayed there for years in a pleasant atmosphere. We even met each other privately at dinners and parties.
We tried to paint figuratively. On the basis of some photo or picture we drew the object on the canvas. Thereafter the teacher inspected the drawing and made eventually corrections and then we started to paint with oil colour. The mixing of the colours was quite natural to me, but I needed advice about shadows and light.
So everyone produced several paintings and when it worked out well, we congratulated the person.
So everyone produced several paintings and when it worked out well, we congratulated the person.
The atelier in The Hague
When we moved in 2001 to The Hague, I had to look for another atelier. There the people only went for painting. The atmosphere was more professional. Since the teacher was a graphic artist I took the opportunity to learn more about drawing and perspective. I never had dreamed that I could draw correctly with charcoal skulls, a man with a violin or even buildings in the right perspective. I liked it to learn how this could be done. Some results were not so bad. But I also realized that my drawing capacities were limited. I never would reach virtuosity and above all, I missed the colours.
When we moved in 2001 to The Hague, I had to look for another atelier. There the people only went for painting. The atmosphere was more professional. Since the teacher was a graphic artist I took the opportunity to learn more about drawing and perspective. I never had dreamed that I could draw correctly with charcoal skulls, a man with a violin or even buildings in the right perspective. I liked it to learn how this could be done. Some results were not so bad. But I also realized that my drawing capacities were limited. I never would reach virtuosity and above all, I missed the colours.
The atelier in Barcelona
When we moved in 2006 to Barcelona I found another atelier with a professional teacher. The first three years I participated in a group of persons who were all above seventy years. Arriving there, they first kissed all the participants, then they started with painting and once in a while, especially the folks above eighty, joked quite provocatively about daily life as they were teenagers. When I told them that we just had visited Madrid a little Catalan lady looked quite worried at me and said that in Madrid there still lived the Moors and one had to watch out for them. The teacher looked a bit embarrassed at me, but then we all started to laugh.
When we moved in 2006 to Barcelona I found another atelier with a professional teacher. The first three years I participated in a group of persons who were all above seventy years. Arriving there, they first kissed all the participants, then they started with painting and once in a while, especially the folks above eighty, joked quite provocatively about daily life as they were teenagers. When I told them that we just had visited Madrid a little Catalan lady looked quite worried at me and said that in Madrid there still lived the Moors and one had to watch out for them. The teacher looked a bit embarrassed at me, but then we all started to laugh.
In this atelier I really improved my painting capacities thanks to the teacher and I still enjoy it. The last picture I made is presented below. These are two dancing insects. Some other paintings are shown on my website: https://decisions-saris-gallhofer.weebly.com/paintings-of-irmtraud.html