Looking back on 2011

In 2011, I continued painting the series ‘Functional things on the wall’. Within the series, I experimented a lot with various techniques. In the beginning, I painted all the patterns, then I started working with stamps and stencils. In Belgium, I bought a whole stock of vintage wallpaper. I used this as inspiration and example, and in some works the wallpaper itself is incorporated, glued onto the panel or canvas. In a number of works, the original wallpaper has been preserved by only partially painting over it, while in others it has been completely painted over. Stamps and stencils are available in all shapes and sizes, and I have also had them made to my own design. I use the patterns I create on the painting with these tools as a guide, as a starting point. Achieving the result I want is time-consuming work, requiring multiple layers of paint.

1. Untitled, oil on panel, 13 x 16 cm, 2011

2. Untitled, oil on panel, 14 x 13.5 cm, 2011

3. Untitled (wallpaper made using stamps), oil on panel, 40 x 40 cm, 2011

4. Untitled, 15 x 18 cm, oil on wallpaper on panel, 2011

5. Untitled, 13 x 18 cm, 2011

6. Untitled, oil on canvas, 100 x 140 cm, 2011