OzCloggie

Well, the good saint (Die goede sint) seemed to be everywhere, this year (around 5/6 December, 2008) spreading good-will and, as always, keeping the Dutch-born and their descendants in touch with their Dutch, heritage.

It's such a convenient way to link the children, the grandchildren and friends and family to the Dutch heritage.

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Am I the new Rembrandt? (Actually, of course not but it is fun entering the competition.)


More information....here!

(Yes. My original name was: Joop Mul.)

Like all Dutch people, I grew up seeing Rembrandt reproductions everywhere.

I was born in Gouda, the Netherlands. My parents and I came to Sydney in 1956 and, like many Dutch-Australian houses, our lounge-room, typically Dutch, features two Rembrandt prints. A young girl and a man in a helmet.

This competition is inspiring me to represent my roots and this first self-portrait is of me, in front of the entrance to the town hall, in Gouda.

Inspired by Rembrandt I am enjoying the use of the thick oil paint and my favourite warm colours, the burnt umber and sienna, alizarin crimson and yellow ochre and, particularly, the chance to 'spotlight' my face, in the 'glow' of the light, from above the door of the town hall.

Het stadhuis van Gouda blijft toch altijd ons symbool van herkomst.

Grandma Moses is said to have done it, i.e., make a career out of painting, later in life. I am determined to do that too, after retirement from thirty-seven very satisfying years of teaching, from a Dutch-Australian perspective.

On my first visit back to the Netherlands, in the winter of 1971, I joined the crowds to view the Nightwatch, in Amsterdam. Like most Dutch-born people in other lands, of course I have searched out the Rembrandt paintings, when visiting art galleries. He represents 'us', in paintings of such different shapes and sizes.

On my wall is a poster, with a picture on it, of two old men disputing, painted by Rembrandt, circa 1628. It is my favourite because my Australian-born daughter, gave me that print, after a visit to the National Art Gallery of Victoria. Where there was an exhibition, featuring Rembrandt, "A genius and his impact", in 1997.

This was an acknowledgement to me of her heritage and our shared love of art.

As well, Rembrandt's painting of the young girl has been looking back on us, from above the t.v., for so many years!

Like the man in the helmet, in the opposite corner, she's like part of the family.