Mykonos

Pink Rock: We spent a lot of time with the various artists in and around the beautiful home of Alexander and Tzima. The vernissage of the exhibition White Water also took place here. I combined this setting and these memories in this painting. The pink rock is the landmark of the house, prominently visible as you arrive. It always made me smile because it contrasts so much with the surroundings, yet it fits perfectly. The chair, a recurring element in my paintings, always makes me pause for a moment—or literally sit still—to appreciate and reflect on where I am. Look closely, because this painting is full of small hidden details.

The chair is a sign of taking a break in life. Looking around and overlook where you are and what you have. Standing still. Appreciating what you have.

Detour to Discovery: During my trip to Mykonos, I always took the same route from the house where the art show was held to my accommodation. But at a certain point, I noticed an adorable little chapel, one I hadn't seen before. This, of course, meant I had taken a wrong turn... And that's how this piece "detour" came to be. It’s just a little reminder that a wrong turn can sometimes lead to unexpectedly beautiful discoveries.

Free Bird: I’m grateful for where I am and what I do. Being a painter, doing what I love every day, and finding inspiration through travel has always been my dream. This makes me feel freer than ever, and that freedom is symbolized by the bird on the house—the free bird. The house it rests on is shaped by white strokes, which could also be seen as clouds. Or maybe it's a white wave—though I’m not hinting at the Mykonos show "White Water." ;) @blackgallery @Alexander

With this painting, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me in any way, helping me get to where I am now. And we're still only at the beginning…

Mykonos View: An open window, like an open door, represents a new beginning for me. It symbolizes an unknown path toward the future. This particular window was in the heart of Mykonos. We stood there, searching for our way, when my eyes were drawn to it. It probably wasn’t the kind of picturesque window you'd expect in Mykonos, nor one you’d typically see in a painting. But I’m not drawn to the conventionally beautiful; instead, I’m captivated by things that personally attract me. I like to portray what’s often considered "ugly" in a beautiful way. I don’t actually see these parts as ugly—they fascinate me. I'm still figuring out exactly what it is that draws me to them or why.

Lost in Mykonos: Mykonos came with a challenging start. My suitcase got lost right from day one, with all the consequences that came with it. Despite everything, I always try to stay positive, but there were certainly times when I struggled to do so.

In this painting I captured these emotions by contrasting colours. With its warm orange dominant base color, the piece radiates a cheerful vibe that feels lively and also reflects the dry landscape and the heat of Mykonos.

This stands in strong contrast to the cold shades of blue, with the water part dripping down like a tear. In the bottom right corner, I’m standing with the scooter I used to explore the entire island—happy and cheerful, a bit disoriented with my hair tangled, and almost blown away by the strong wind.