Why Draw Buildings?

I come from a land of nature, New Zealand. In New Zealand much art is based on the natural world. You are surrounded by the remarkable beauty of nature. There is an opportunity every day to explore and experience the outdoors and the environment within which you find yourself becomes a power influence on ones’ work.

Perhaps one of the other reasons I am so drawn to recording buildings is that I lived through the major earthquakes in New Zealand in 2010. A series of earthquakes destroyed a good number of our historical buildings. This was a great tragedy.

One of the few ways in which we can record those buildings is through art and photography. While earthquakes are not a concern here in the Netherlands (although Groningen will see the loss of some of their historical landmarks) I believe it is important to create a historical record of some of the countries iconic buildings. Drawing these buildings firmly grounds me in my surroundings.

I spent a number of years in a new home, a home full of people and history and architecture – human creativity in the form of beautiful buildings. That environment influenced my art. Society influences art and art in turn influences society. So what I show today is a foreigner’s view of different scenes within the Netherlands, a foreigner’s appreciation of the beauty of human creativity in the form of buildings. An ode to the architects of the Netherlands.

The buildings are precious symbols of human endeavour and progress and represent history, art and philosophy. These buildings represent the culture, and the mind-set behind that culture. 

Drawing and painting the buildings provides me with visual knowledge of my surroundings. I get to know the place, the people, the culture – a sense of the place through drawing. It allows me to think deeply about the differences between New Zealand and the Netherlands. 

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HAPPY-ARTING!

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