ferf - 2022 - biography

On August 15, 1958 at 2:30 p.m., my mother painted this painting It made such an impression on me that I decided to become a painter

In 1964 I went to the art academy in Haarlem ( Academie ‘63 )

In 1968 I signed up for an artists' scheme of the municipality (BKR). I also obtained a diploma to be able to teach at high school. In order to maintain my absolute independence as an artist, I decided to terminate the BKR scheme. I thought it would be more useful to earn a living by teaching young people the value and usefulness of art.

In 1969 I met Maria. We decided to live together. Each of us is going to teach for a few days to dedicate ourselves to art on the remaining days.

In this way, I also have time for another art form: writing for theatre. Directing, designing costumes and sets, acting.

In 1974 our son was born.

1975-1981 writer of short plays (Het Feuilleton ) for the theatre (De Engelenbak ).

In 1976 our daughter was born.

1981 Maria falls ill and is no longer able to teach. I decide to paint and teach and leave the theater. I start my diary paintings. A quick sketch of every day, some of which are worked out in a larger painting.

My poem (Het Brommerlied) was set to music by my brother Jacques and is being performed.

I am writing the libretto for Jacques’ opera : Een Tantologie

In 1987 I started a series of portraits of people I see on the street, at work and so on. I teach myself to remember the main traits and to work them out at home.

I am reading the book 'Painting with light' by the cameraman from the time of the black and white film John Alton. I will involve photography and film in my visual work.

In 1992, the children's opera 'De Pianojuf' ( music Jacques, libretto myself ) won an award at the ISCM competition. Jacques and I are invited to attend the premiere in Warsaw.

In 1996 I made my first attempts to use photography in my visual work. I photograph and develop the photos myself, including color photos.

The opera by Jacques and me 'De Bijlmer Opera' is performed in a theater in Amsterdam.

In 2001 I became a member of the artists' association 'Werkplek' in Tiel.

In 2003 I finally stopped teaching at secondary school.

I am going to delve deeper into the use of the computer in my visual work.

In 2009 I wrote the libretto for the opera 'Major Taylor' that Jacques composed

In 2010 I became a member of the artists' association 'Arti et Amicitiae' in Amsterdam.

Now I use 3 techniques in my visual work: 1. Fragments from paintings. These are scanned and put into the computer. 2. Photography. These are also put into the computer. 3. Editing in the computer. Using filters or drawn by hand. The result can be printed on different materials and in different sizes. Shown as a slide. Or printed in a book.

In 2015 I was invited to participate in a festival in Mons. The city is cultural capital of the year and wants to draw attention to the presence of Vincent van Gogh in the Borinage.

In 2016 I was asked to attend the presentation of the books I wrote about the first house where van Gogh lived and the Marcasse mine where he worked. This was followed in 2017 by an invitation to stay there briefly as an artist in residence and to organize a final exhibition of my work.

In 2018, the 50th anniversary of the Bijlmermeer was celebrated. Jacques and I were invited to organize a screening of our opera and also to hold an exhibition of my visual work and books.

In 2020 I make 2 books with poems.

Due to illness I only work from home.