Cubism

Helping start a car

Imagine all the people you walk past you don't hear because of your headphones, a task only challenging for those who don't use them (much), but please try.

For me, they're not a tool for isolation, however, it's a nice additional perk. Still, when I hear a stranger asking for attention, I anxiously give it to them.

This one time, a guy in his 'parked' car at the side of a street in Den Bosch told me that because the car hadn't moved in months, the battery died, and he asked me if I could help push start it.

I didn't have anything better to do, so skeptically, I helped him. Together, we revived the car, and while honking, he drove away.

Another person that I'll likely never come across, and even if I did, I wouldn't hear or see.

Innate hero complex

I'm talking to an art collector and explaining my art in a museum. I keep saying these cool-sounding, fascinating sentences. Any question they ask me, I somehow know the perfect response to -- they're amazed by my cleverness.

I turn the corner, and an ordinary (for Den bosch) yet beautiful building that I've looked at a thousand times before but for the first time see appears and slips me out of any other thought I might've had, in this case, what I think is a daydream.

I don't KNOW if it's a daydream, but unlike other thoughts, in all of them, I'm in scenarios where I'm a hero of some kind. It's hard to talk about because it's embarrassing and not something you remember. 

So I'll let your imagination fill in the blanks; it's either grandiose fantasies, what I should say to my colleagues or family when I see them again, or what I should've said in the past.

Seeing yourself waiting

The topic of this art piece is a boring situation. Few people get excited by having to wait. I certainly don't care much for it, but I'll try to convince you why you should.

If you're waiting and look around, you will notice something interesting, at least if you allow yourself to be entertained by the otherwise unremarkable.

This piece specifically was about waiting for the train. Nowadays, I don't take the train often, but I recently wanted to go to the office, so I had to. 

Next to the countless people, which already makes paid attention worth it (nothing else to spend it on either), I also noticed an old lady carrying four bikes, the bluest tomatoes, rain without clouds, a dog walking his human, and a flying train, all just within the one trip.

But the most intriguing thing I've ever noticed was myself on a different platform. As you may expect, I was waiting, and to my concern, I looked bored, like I wished I would be anywhere else (but I couldn't). Seeing myself in that state made me incredibly disappointed.

Pablo Picasso

Henri Matisse

The keymaker

The apartment building I moved to has an electronic lock that needs a keyfob to open. I only received one, a fact that irritated me the day I moved in, but the rent is cheap, so it's hard to complain.

One day, when I came home from a walk, the front door didn't open anymore, so I went to another that didn't open either. 

I've never felt so vulnerable. Of course, I assumed that my keyfob was the problem, and anxiously I called a keymaker to replace it, who told me I had to come over, which I did.

Surrounded by many large keys, the keymaker skeptically asked me what was in front of my apartment building. I assumed to figure out whether I lived there, and nervously, I thought and, after a minute, crying, I said I didn't know.

The keymaker, now confused, asked me why I was crying, to which I again responded I didn't know before the keymaker told me they ordered my key and I could go. So humiliated, I walked back home to a locked apartment complex.

Happily walking my life away

There are many ways you can travel to most locations you need to go, and there's only one almost universal: walking.

Even though that's an intriguing idea, it doesn't influence my love for the transportation method much.

Frankly, I struggle to understand why I love it so much -- I'm Dutch, so maybe it's because biking is just too prevalent, making walking another way to feel unique. 

My parents think I'm crazy. They also think it's weird that I don't repair my bike or get a driver's license. But I'm content with walking -- toward public transit if necessary.

Walking seems to suit me. I don't move or go outside enough, or rather, I wouldn't if it weren't for walking. There's also so much time in our lives, and a lot of it we waste on dopamine machines; walking is an alright alternative to that.

And finally (and this is a secret), it's how I find all the ideas for my art. I'm not sure who leaves them there, but throughout the city (and surrounding area), someone ditches all these great, free ideas I pick up, which nobody else ever seems to. Maybe they're all too busy to look around.

Blind Guy's World

In early February, I walked into the Citadel in Den Bosch to look at one of the great perspectives of the city. I sat down on a bench, listening to Echoes. 

A little later, a guy I had noticed a minute before found the bench. I assumed he also wanted to enjoy the view.

""I don't care much about the concrete,"" he told me. He mustn't have noticed my headphones, or maybe he didn't care, and because I didn't want to make it awkward and was severely confused, I responded, which I wouldn't typically: ""What do you enjoy?""

I was mostly confused because the perspective we were looking at contained no concrete.

And without thinking, he explained: ""Solid shapes, depth, dots. Colors do nothing for me."" Part of this seems reasonable, but sometimes, when someone gives me a subjective opinion I don't share, I can't believe them. 

Then, I knew it was time to leave. I hadn't been able to enjoy the perspective much since noticing the guy anyway, and now he wasn't making much sense.

I told him he had some good taste and that I had to go. Only when I had left the Citadel and walked next to the water I noticed he was blind -- because while flying away from the bench, he crashed into the bridge.

So, in his honor, I recreated that guy's world, or at least what I could understand from his confusing opinions.

Stairs At Night

Differences in light and visibility change scenes much, and not at all. It's easy to not care about impressive sights and, at the same time, to feel very passionate, maybe even emotional, about an ordinary backyard. 

More so than any changes in the atmosphere, it's a different mindset that can suddenly transform an uninteresting building into a masterpiece.

Often, a change in the scene is just an excuse to look around, and when you do that, looking for great perspectives, they, however impossibly slowly moving, even creep up on you.

And there's no way to preserve it; a picture will never capture the same feelings, as they're part of the mindset, and any description or imitation will be a weak copy (at best). All you can do is enjoy it and maybe be inspired, knowing the great impression this made on you. 

Or, perhaps I'm just bad at what I do -- here are the stairs of the Library in the heart of Den Bosch, shining bright in the dark.

Looking All Ways With My Headphones On

When I'm about to walk homeward from my weekly visit, my mom, after I've just declined her offer to drive me back, says:  ""Be careful, especially with those headphones on.""

If I wanted to die, I wouldn't do it by walking off into traffic, so, of course, I'll make sure to be careful -- looking every way imaginable multiple times. 

Honestly, and please don't tell her this, it's not the headphones that are dangerous; I can hear the cars. It's the hair that, more than my glasses, makes me practically blind.

Sometimes, I make a weird turn, and all roads start going in different directions and dimensions. I still look all ways, but it's quiet, like cars never existed, for the whole 50-minute walk.

Then, the insanity inflicted on me is more dangerous than traffic could ever be. Luckily, when I'm back home, working on my art, I'll forget all about it, and my parents, and the need to look all ways.

Vincent van Gogh

Another Bird Over Water

Don't remember or care where, but I noticed a bird flying over water. What a free creature. Do you think it understands the depths it's flying over with such ease? Few do. 

It reminded me of another time (the 16th of September, 2022) when I saw a similar bird flying over similar water, and I decided to draw it (#386).

So now, because of that loser, I have to feel unoriginal about an idea I feel strongly about. But the joke's on that guy, I never was original. Only the insane ever do anything new, and I haven't lost it yet.

And that's the key: accepting there are probably four billion other people who have had the exact idea you feel so passionate about. 

If you're lucky, you'll convince some that you thought it better.

High Water In Den Bosch

I don't know much about many things (like most people). How and why the water inside of Den Bosch goes up or down is one of those things.

Recently, it rained a lot, maybe that's why? But it often rains, and the water rarely consumes the city.

Anyway, so there was high water in Den Bosch, which I walk through frequently, and it was a pleasant sight. 

Some benches I sometimes sit on are now inaccessible because of it. And boats that typically relax on the water are now swallowed up by it.

Sometimes I think about if the rising sea level will inevitably result in much worse consequences for Den Bosch (I guess the Netherlands in general, but who cares about places you never or rarely visit).

There's nothing I can do to help that. So I won't worry about it either. Hopefully, if the water does end up swallowing us all, it'll at least be beautiful.

Finally alone

Being alone is fantastic. Or so I tell myself. 

I'm conflicted, as I refuse to engage in behavior that would result in me not being alone (because I don't want to do those things), but sometimes I get the urge to connect to others.

Even then, it's challenging to be completely alone. In my apartment, where I live alone, my many neighbors, make noise sometimes . And otherwise, the cars driving by would.

If all of those are somehow quiet, there's also still this device that puts sounds in my ears, which I could remove, but what's the point?

One of the ways to fully be alone is to go for a walk in a more secluded area. This painting is inspired by walking past the Bosche Broek. It was cold and dark, and within, I saw a tiny figure who seemed all alone. I was, and still am, jealous.

Hospital At Night

On the outskirts of Den Bosch, close to where I live, there's a great hospital called the 'Jeroen Bosch Hospital' named after the famous painter. It's hard to miss the building when I go for a stroll.

I have no emotional attachment to the hospital as I'm just not that kind of person, but I've got some memories there;

It's the place where I first saw my nephew, Valentijn, after he was just born, the place where I delivered my excrement twice, and where they stole my blood once.

And where, while doing psychedelic truffles with my friend, we got stranded on a bench because my friend was losing his mind. His father called an ambulance (even though we could've just walked). While waiting, I stared at the hospital, trying to stay sane.

I could lie and tell you this painting is about my memories. But it's not.

The extraordinary hospital, when it gets dark, shines beautifully. And that's the only reason why I decided to paint it.

If it reminds me of anything, it's all the sick people in there, some of them barely surviving or coming to the end of their lives as you're reading this. 

You might be able to make a parallel to some of Jeroen Bosch his paintings if you'd like, but instead, I let the building itself entertain me.

Kees van Dongen

Only Light In Window

This time of year is so dark here. I thought the shortest day of the year was a month before it was. I made the same mistake last year. And again, when I realized we would have another month of ever shorter days, it made me incredibly sad.

Regardless, something I now realize I've missed in the summer months is that in the dark world, the lightest parts are the insides of houses.

I might have missed this because I don't go outside that much when it's late, so I don't see the darkness in the summer, or because during the summer, people have a lot of time to realize it's getting dark, so they often close their blinds, and somehow they forget to do it when it's dark earlier.

The result is that now, during my walks, I get to look around and see all the fascinating rooms inside all the buildings. 

End Of The City

"Everything ends, though hard to identify, even cities do, but it's easy to tell that one of my favorite walking spots is on the edge. 

It's not the most peaceful spot in the surrounding area, but probably the quietest while still, maybe technically so, inside of the city. 

There's this great perspective on the beautiful city of Den Bosch, with just before it a highway bringing many people anywhere they need to go. At the same time, if you turn your head, you see this endless sight of birds and green. Which likely isn't inside the city anymore. Who cares about borders anyway? To me, it's the most meaningful part of the city.

And then I get bored and go to the ugly but functioning neighborhood not too far away, happy to be back and to see the many ugly and angry faces."

Coach's Garbage Containers

"When I quit playing basketball, I had played half my life. One afternoon, I realized that the sport cost more effort than I could care to put in. And as I do when I conclude somewhere or with something, I left the game behind: I haven't touched a basketball since or talked to anyone I used to play with. 

A couple of coaches trained me over the years, and honestly, I mostly don't remember them or what they taught me. Whatever it was, it certainly isn't that helpful anymore. 

But, probably my favorite coach, maybe the best, is whose garbage containers this painting is about.

It's pretty interesting, though also very obvious and predictable, how you can meet people you've known in the past in unexpected ways. I hadn't thought about him in years and certainly didn't expect to meet him again.

So apparently, my old coach is an artist who painted these garbage containers, which happened to be on this street I travel past quite often. 

And now, every time I walk by, I take a good look and think about my old coach and basketball, all the people I played with, and how one day, like the sport, I might drop any art I do as well.

The art has meaning, which I connect with, but the context about who created it and how it relates to me inspired me to make something of my own."

Highway

"Humans spend so much time on highways in cars, going to many places, and most often coming back too. While on the road, the perspectives are fascinating but repetitive. But if you're wasting your time away, traveling huge distances, you might as well enjoy whatever repetitive sights you find.

Convincing yourself that the tedious elements of life are fascinating is a superpower that I wish I could tap into more often.

But honestly, now that I don't live with my parents anymore, being in cars is a rarity, let alone being on highways. If I do happen to travel, it's often by train, but I mostly don't go anywhere.

So this painting is more about my perspective when I walk past the highway at the edge of Den Bosch, gazing into the endless roads, enviously thinking about the countless people going by, many of whom I might never see again, who are riding their cars going to many fascinating, or so I presume, places and coming back."

Beautiful Boring LIfe

Like everyone, I'm addicted to keeping myself entertained, meaning I almost always have some video and music playing. Even that often isn't enough, so I also frequently find myself scrolling through social media. 

I like walking, it's another good way to keep myself busy, though even while walking I'm always listening to something. Sometimes, often but not always, while sitting on a bench or during a walk, I remove my headphones, and I sit, look, and listen.

And it makes me feel some weird way that I don't know how to explain, but the best I can do is to call it the beauty of our boring lives.

Tree In Field

While sitting on one of the great benches of Den Bosch, reality hit me; I was out of ideas for things to paint, which often happens as I paint a lot. 

Actually, honestly, I had already realized this at home, which was the cause of this particular walk. It took this bench to inspire ideas, so I wanted to give it more credit.

Nonetheless, after some time walking, I found a bench worthy of sitting and sat down. I documented six ideas over fifteen minutes of concentrated sitting. The two previous paintings were conceived here, and the next three ones will be, and obviously, this one was also.

This idea was about my surroundings at the time. I looked forward and noticed a lonely tree in this intensely large field. It wasn't a great or meaningful idea, but a good enough excuse to paint anyway, so I wrote it down. 

That's the 'meaning' of this piece: a beautiful tree in a massive field from a fascinating perspective that hopefully makes you feel some way.

Art inspired by the tranquil benches of Den Bosch. A testament to the beauty found in simple walks and the muse they provide. A homage to moments of reflection and creativity.

The Bench

Going for walks is one of the best hobbies I've got. It's undefeated not only because moving is healthy for a human (like me) but also because it's a great way to waste time, listen to music, and get ideas for art. 

There are many benches around Den Bosch with beautiful perspectives, or at least sights that have me convinced of their beauty, which is one thing I definitely do thank this city for.

Often while out and about I find myself sitting on one of those benches, with or without a piece of paper and a marker, looking at those beautiful sights. 

It's all meaningless and a waste of time, yet still mesmerizing and, more importantly, inspiring for my next piece of art I can waste even more time on.

This piece is dedicated to none specifically but all of those benches I've sat on before and will sit on in the future.

Explore Zen Dageraad's evocative street scene, where colors narrate a tale of dusk, shadows and a solitary stroll, unfolding layers of soft nostalgia.

Street, Shadow

Embark on a serene yet evocative journey with Zen Dageraad's intimate portrayal of a simple, everyday moment transformed into a vivid narrative. His artwork invites you into a quiet street scene, where a solitary purple figure strides amidst the gentle embrace of a dusky street, its aura resonating with rich shades of green-blue. The figure casts a prominent dark green-blue shadow, hinting at the soft melancholy of dusk, an emotion that is tender yet profound.

As you delve deeper into the frame, your eyes are drawn upward towards a quaint red streetlight, delicately suspended by a crimson thread. The warm yellow glow emanates softly, caressing the cool hues of the surroundings, creating a gentle contrast. Beyond this immediate spectacle, a series of green buildings unfold in varying shades, skillfully layered to offer a comforting depth, enriching the narrative of a simple walk home post a family dinner.

In the seemingly mundane, Dageraad uncovers layers of reflection and soft nostalgia, his color palette rendering the fleeting moments of dusk with a tender longing that is palpable yet comforting.

Experience Zen Dageraad's tranquil landscape inspired by Miles Davis' melodies. Trees in vivid hues meet a vibrant sky. A poetic voyage to peace.

In A Silent Way

Journey into the depths of Zen Dageraad's artistry, a visual ode to the iconic rhythms of Miles Davis. Just as the notes of "In A Silent Way" carry listeners to far-off sanctuaries of tranquility, so does this artwork. Delve into the peaceful sanctuary of nature: trees with ethereal pink trunks and mystical purple leaves stand in graduated prominence. Foremost, a singular tree anchors the viewer, leading to another in the mid-ground, and further on, a distant row completes the triad. The leaves, masterfully segmented in varying shades, exude depth, enhancing the three-dimensional allure. A serene blue swath graces the foreground, flanked by verdant fields, intricately differentiated by shades. Ascend your gaze, and a warm yellow sky awaits, punctuated by fiery red clouds and the gentle flutter of birds. 

Zen Dageraad's artwork captures Den Bosch's railway essence. Vivid red tracks, yellow beams & blue ground shapes accompany a poignant poem on wanderlust.

Railway

In the vibrant city of Den Bosch, an art piece captures the essence of movement and stillness, intertwined with the soul's yearning for adventure. Zen Dageraad, drawing from the hum of daily life, has crafted an image that resonates deeply with the wanderer in all of us. His piece portrays a striking red railway, each section painted with varying intensities, standing bold against yellow beams of light. This scene is further contrasted by a blue ground, meticulously divided into unique shapes, each filled with its own shade of blue. As one gazes upon this vivid depiction, the words come to mind: "watching the tracks, journeys flowing away. Yearning to go, yet anchored still in Den Bosch." This is not just art; it's an emotion, a call to the wanderlust that lies dormant within us.

Explore Zen Dageraad’s artistic narrative as he captures a serene moment of birds flying over the Sint Jan, blending poetic essence with color intricacy.

Birds Over The Sint Jan

Venture into an idyllic realm through Zen Dageraad's serene portrayal of the majestic Sint Jan amidst a charming atmosphere in Den Bosch. The art piece exquisitely encapsulates a fleeting moment, where a flock of birds whimsically graces the sky above the historical edifice. As articulated in the accompanying poem, this artwork resonates with the simplistic yet profound idea of capturing transient beauty whilst allowing it the freedom to flourish.

A glance at the piece unveils the artist's meticulous attention to detail, manifesting in the various shades of orange that intricately define the structure, contrasted against the blue that adorns the windows, door, clockwork, and cross. The nuanced palette extends to the environment as well with the yellow-bricked floor encircled by a touch of purple, under a green sky that harmoniously houses pink birds in flight.

Within this picture-perfect frame, the essence of the poem finds a visual counterpart. The narrative sketches a calm yet liberating scenario, “birds over the saint jan, I just had to capture the moment, still, they are free to keep flying,” resonating a tranquil symmetry between the poetic verse and the illustrative scene.

Discover the whimsical lights of Den Bosch through Zen Dageraad's artistic lens, painting a love poem of colors onto the crooked streets of this quaint city.

Den Bosch Her Lights

The enchanting allure of Den Bosch, vividly encapsulated by Zen Dageraad in his art piece, interweaves whimsy and a keen eye for the unique lighting that bathes the city. The narrative encapsulated within the visual splendor of the piece resonates poetically with the sentiments echoed in the verse, "i love den bosch / even more / whenever i am / looking up / & notice / the incredible lights / painting the town / & lighting / the crooked streets." Zen Dageraad's drawing delicately captures the essence of Den Bosch's crooked streets, illuminated by whimsical lights that dance across the quaint cityscape.

The piece unfolds a quaint scene, a labyrinth of red edifices leaning in disparate directions, adorned by a cascade of blue-green lights stretching from the bottom left to the center middle right. These illuminations, a yellow hue at the source, cast a gentle glow on the purple road below, contrasting beautifully with the variegated shades of green that make up the sidewalk. As one's gaze drifts upward, a soft pink sky segmented into abstract forms cradles fluffy blue clouds, also creatively subdivided. It's a poetic spectacle, a love letter to Den Bosch, that melds color, light, and structure into a visually resonant narrative, inviting one to explore the city's charming streets under the tender glow of its lights.

Explore Zen Dageraad's poetic and artistic journey through Bosche Broek, captivated by a reflective tree by water, embodied in unique shades and shapes.

Tree By Water

In a serene walk through the peaceful realms of Den Bosch, Zen Dageraad stumbled upon a quaint scenery in the Bosche Broek that stirred the poet and artist in him. A singular tree beside water, it reflected gracefully in the calm, creating an image that beckoned to be captured on canvas. He articulates his compulsion in soft verses: "I just had to draw this beautifully reflected tree in the water near the Bosche Broek."

The artistry manifests as a tranquil scene divided into rhythmic spaces of color and form. On one side, a red tree stands adorned with dark green leaves against a backdrop of lighter green grass. Its counterpart, an orange tree with blue-green foliage, resides by the azure expanse of the water. Between these elements, a stretch of pink ground forms a subtle boundary, bridging the grass and water. The intricacies don’t end there; each surface is dissected into various shapes, each filled with slightly different shades, lending a mystique and depth to the portrayal. This delicate attention to hue evokes a serene yet stimulating narrative, embedding the peaceful resonance of that simple, inspiring moment in Den Bosch within the hearts of the spectators.

Explore Zen Dageraad's imaginative convergence of a poetic and visual narrative in a vibrant artwork, evoking an unplanned encounter near the bosche broek.

Man With Hat

Delve into a riveting narrative encapsulated in Zen Dageraad's unique art piece, reflecting an encounter near the bosche broek, immortalized both in poetic and visual mediums. The artwork resonates with the whimsical essence of a chance encounter, channeling the spirit of Picasso, as witnessed through the poetic lines 'near the bosche broek, I saw this man in a hat & I thought hey Picasso, how about that.'

The artwork’s inception came from a serene walk in Den Bosch, near the bosche broek, where Zen Dageraad saw a man with a hat that spurred the desire to etch the image onto canvas. Notably, just before this creative urge, Zen Dageraad explored imitating Picasso's 'Girl on the ball', finding an intriguing blend of similarity and contrast between the two renditions.

Central to the canvas is a purple man adorned with a pink hat, expressing a narrative through gestures; waving with his left hand towards another hat-wearing figure in the distance, this one veiled in green. Over the arc of the reaching arm, a small green chair hovers amidst an orange backdrop, under a serene blue sky hosting three green birds. The scene, filled with abstract symbolism, bridges the space between the quaint reality of Den Bosch and the whimsical allure of Picasso’s imagination.

Experience the mystique of Zen Dageraad's artwork, where a serene bike path unfolds tales of psychedelic explorations and a journey towards the unknown.







Distant Figure

Embark on a visual journey along a mystical bike path depicted in Zen Dageraad's evocative art piece. This work immerses the observer in a serene yet eerie pathway located behind the Jeroen Bosch hospital in Den Bosch, as traversed by the artist frequently. The scenery, imbued with the spectral resonance of a past psychedelic adventure, unveils a distant figure marching towards a blue realm, embodying the haunting allure of the unknown. The narrative is enriched with a whimsical poem, a tribute to the path's natural psychedelic aura even in the absence of truffles, alluding to a memorable day of curious exploration turned awry.

The meticulous design employs a myriad of shades and shapes to engineer depth and perspective. A yellow path, methodically sectioned and shaded, guides one's sight towards a purple distant figure venturing into a blue enclave, evoking a sense of mystery and anticipation. Adjacent, the yellow-green grass and pink-trunked trees with verdant leaves exhibit a similar geometric technique, delivering a surreal yet grounded frame. A solitary red bench witnesses the scene, a silent testament to past experiences, as told through the prism of psychedelic truffles, friendship, and the unexpected voyage into the depths of consciousness.

The essence of transcendent discovery, the blend of cool and warm tones, alongside a narrative enriched by poetic reminiscence, makes this piece a profound exploration of reality and perception, perceived soberly or under an altered state.

Explore Zen Dageraad's evocative artistry that blends nature's serene beauty with the imaginative spark of a lighted boat amidst a colorful, tranquil setting.

Boat With Light

Embark on a whimsical journey with Zen Dageraad's captivating artwork that brilliantly intertwines the natural allure of daylit serenity with a spark of imaginative flame. As one strolls through the serene landscapes of Den Bosch, the eye is caught by a quaint boat, its lantern aglow despite the midday sun. Though the light vies against the sun's brilliance, achieving little to illuminate, yet it becomes the muse for a poetic and artistic endeavor. The modest boat, brightly painted in shades of pink, becomes the protagonist in the artistry, amid a well-designed backdrop crafted meticulously with shapes and shades depicting nature in its quiet, colorful splendor. The bottom teems with shades of green, representing grass, creating a soft contrast to the cool hues that fill the surroundings.

To the left, tunnels adorned in soothing purples draw a gentle mystery, while above, more green hues blend harmoniously with dark purples, cradling another tunnel exuding a lighter purple glow. Amidst this orchestrated color play rests the boat, with red benches awaiting stories and a yellow light at its prow, shining a path of imagination. The delicate contrast of dark and light blue around the boat further enriches the scene, under the soft gaze of an orange sun that casts a light blue reflection beside the boat. The sky, a canvas of blue-green with varying shades, adds depth, embodying the boundless sky of imagination triggered by the sight of the little boat. The narrative unfolds seamlessly, with each color and shape inviting the onlooker to a tranquil yet evocative realm where the mind sails freely, spurred by the simplistic yet profound light of the boat as echoed in the verse: 'just a little boat I saw, bravely shining a light...its light shines on, triggering my imagination.’

Explore Zen Dageraad's tranquil portrayal of a peaceful street in Den Bosch. Dive into a vivid canvas embellished with a poetic narrative, capturing the essence of everyday serenity.

Lights and trees

In Zen Dageraad's evocative art piece, the serenity of a neighborhood street in Den Bosch unfurls against a vivid color palette. The narrative is elegantly embroidered with a poignant, short verse – a meditation on the tranquil avenue laden with lights and trees, rather than a bustling highway or a fanciful path from a tale. The poetic illustration, through modest phrases, likens the street to neither a "road to nowhere" nor "the yellow brick road," but a "peaceful street with lights & trees," a sentiment deeply mirrored in the artwork.

As one traverses this tranquil landscape, a red road marked with yellow lanes gently cradles the scene, flanked by a pink sidewalk subtly diminishing in size as it stretches upward on the canvas. On the left, purple streetlights with warm, orange glows stand guard, their light tenderly bathing the way. To the right, the sidewalk is bordered by lush verdancy, where the soothing green of tree trunks and leaves quietly converse with the blue-green earth they root in. The trees, like the sidewalk, gradually taper off in size as they reach farther into the piece, a beautiful metaphor perhaps, of life’s journey. It's not just a mere portrayal of a street, but an invitation to find beauty and peace in the ordinary, echoing the artist's deep appreciation for the serene streetscape near his residence.

Zen Dageraad's evocative artwork captures two blue geese on a winding road, set against a gradient pink canvas. Poetically described.

Geese On The Road Again

On a serene walk through the outskirts of Den Bosch, Zen Dageraad captures a poignant moment: two geese, one slightly darker than the other, sauntering along a winding yellow road. Oblivious to their vibrant blue hue, they move with purpose against a tapestry of contrasting shades of pink, which subtly graduate from a deep tone at the base to a soft pastel at the zenith. This road, outlined in a bold red, meanders from the bottom left, disappearing and re-emerging, creating a rhythmic dance across the canvas. Two trees, one with light green leaves and the other with a darker shade, provide an earthy balance with their orange branches.

Explore Zen Dageraad's vivid depiction of a contrasting world: from a desolate figure to soaring birds, encapsulating life's balance. Dive deep into its narrative.

Don't Worry Be Happy

Amidst a vibrant landscape, a solitary yellow figure with a somber red mouth and whimsical purple hair sits dejectedly. Its arms tucked behind its head in a pose of melancholy, this "poor yellow fellow" contrasts sharply with the uplifting message: "the song is right, great advice & very wise." Seated on an unstable red bench—one leg dangling in the air—it rests on a rich purple ground casting an ominous shadow. From this earth sprouts a vivacious orange flower, its petals painted a shade darker, signifying hope. Above, the light blue waters ripple, as three radiant orange birds fly freely. The scene transitions to blue-green terrain, where a lively orange figure strides confidently. This transitions into lush green grounds dotted with bushes, overshadowed by towering dark green trees. High above, a unique tree flourishes, its light green leaves adorned with yellow, purple, and red dots, all under a deep blue sky. Zen Dageraad's masterpiece prompts reflection on life's highs and lows.

Explore Zen Dageraad's evocative artwork—a blend of history and color in Den Bosch, where walls, windows, and nature tell a poignant tale.

Windowless

Amidst the historical aura of Den Bosch, an arresting sight emerges: a tall, majestic purple wall, interrupted solely by a green-blue door. This door, distinct with its three tints of green-blue and a wheelchair ramp, is an emblem of accessibility amidst solitude. Adjacently, another dark purple wall reveals a trio of colored windows—blue at the top, green in the middle, and orange at the base. Mirroring this, yet another wall showcases windows with lights matching these colors, each revealing a unique scene within.

To the left, a dark red fence atop a ledge, borders a serene body of water. In it, a boat—shaded in gradients of orange—floats. Nearby, a verdant patch of land cradles a tree, its leaves a symphony of three greens. A yellow checkers pattern surrounds the door, outlined in pink, just as every element in the piece. Zen Dageraad, through his art, captures the juxtaposition of inspiration and history, where the erstwhile confinements become today's muse.

Discover Zen Dageraad's tranquil yet lively artwork, beautifully capturing the outskirts of Den Bosch and radiating a warmth akin to a classic hippy blues song

Same All Over

Immerse yourself in Zen Dageraad's captivating visual interpretation of a classic hippy blues anthem, where the core motif centers on the ubiquity of cool people. This tranquility-infused depiction resonates with the song's serene vibes, portraying the outskirts of Den Bosch through the artist's unique lens.

The artwork portrays a peaceful scene dominated by a bench in varying shades of blue-green, against a backdrop of harmonious pink hues. Saturated green bushes punctuate the soothing expanse, their verdant branches offset by the blush-colored fields beyond. Four diminutive blue bodies dot the landscape, leading the eye upwards towards a straight river, its path illuminated by a light blue lining. An orange house graces the field, its dark red windows casting a silent invitation to its serene interiors.

The landscape concludes in a forest of minuscule trees, their leaves a vivid dark green, standing tall against the pink ground and a sky of a deeper shade. The contrast between clouds and a purple sun creates a captivating skyline. The resultant purple light outlines the bench, bushes, and tree branches, subtly tying the elements together in an atmospheric harmony.

Zen Dageraad invites you on a journey to discover that wherever you are, there are cool people, peace, and happiness.

Zen Dageraad's latest art piece – a vibrant visualization of a tree, inspired by his walks while absorbing the ambient music of Robert Fripp & Brian Eno.

Eno And Fripp

Experience the profound connectivity between music, nature, and visual art in Zen Dageraad's newest piece. Inspired by the atmospheric harmonies of renowned musicians, Robert Fripp and Brian Eno, this piece materializes the euphoria of audial exploration into a vivid visual voyage.

Zen Dageraad's artwork captures the meditative experience of a peaceful stroll through the 'Bosche Broek' in Den Bosch, anchored by a magnificent tree whose leaves rise from the ground. Just as Fripp and Eno's compositions possess a universal appeal, the artist reflects the simplicity and greatness of the tree through intricate detail and bold colors.

At the heart of the art are branches painted in lively red, accented by shadowing purple lines that deepen where they intersect. The leaves, adorned with an array of pink, orange, light blue, dark blue, and dark green dots, contrast their light green background. Bathed in a sea of dark green, light green, and light blue dots against a dark blue expanse, the piece bears the signature, date, and number in vibrant hues of pink and orange.

Art, like music, is an enigma; it isn't always meant to be understood but simply felt. As this piece is a mirror to Zen Dageraad's musical inspirations, the journey may resonate differently for each viewer, akin to a psychedelic trip.

Discover Zen Dageraad's color-rich interpretation of a quirky sight in Den Bosch. A playful mingling of hues creates a visually captivating story.

Feet Out A Window


Stroll through Zen Dageraad's vividly hued portrayal of an unusual sight in the charming town of Den Bosch, brought to life in distinctive colors. The artwork is dominated by a pair of yellow feet, etched with darker outlines, playfully dangling from an open window. The window sits amidst a building's facade, painted in soothing tones of light and dark red, contrasting against the surrounding vibrant pink and darker pink backgrounds.

The room beyond the open window is a serene light blue, with a striking orange lamp casting an intriguing hue on all objects within its reach. Two window panes, colored with light green, add a refreshing contrast, flanked by two closed windows adorned with a darker green backdrop.

The artwork resonates with the weirdly out-of-the-ordinary experience of finding such an unexpected sight on a calm Sunday morning. A unique spectacle captured in a whimsical fusion of color, portraying Den Bosch's diverse spirit.

Dive into Zen Dageraad's artistry: an early walk comes alive in vibrant hues, transforming a routine dogwalk into a surreal masterpiece.

Dogwalker Dawn

In the pre-dawn haze, an intricate work of art unfolds, captured with the keen eye of Zen Dageraad. A vibrant tableau, it personifies the simplicity of daily routine with a surrealistic twist. The canvas is alive with a face, outlined in a cool shade of blue, its straight-line mouth rendering it in silent contemplation. From this face extends an arm, its hue of lighter blue stark against the rest of the scene. A leash, seemingly tethered to a dog below, draws a dark line across the canvas, grounding the abstract.

The dog, filled with a softer blue than its outline, gives off a sense of tranquility. Its features, too, are lines of a deeper shade of blue, echoing the dog walker's face. Below the pair, a delicate pink washes over the landscape, stark against the dog's darker shadow.

The story continues, with a winding green-blue path extending across the canvas, leading our eyes to the rest of the scene. Above, a more energetic pink separates the path from the verdant sky peppered with orange dots. An orange sun lurks behind the tree and the face, lending an extra orange line to their bottoms, suggestive of a rising dawn.

On the top left, a tree with a purple trunk and yellow leaves stands, its dark pink shadow stretching across the ground. It's a snapshot of an early morning, an ordinary scene captured in an extraordinary way. Zen Dageraad has given us a peek into his morning walk, a visual poem of the dogwalker at dawn.

Explore Zen Dageraad's vibrant artwork, stirring emotion with a poignant city encounter. A colorful, introspective journey layered with social commentary.

Too Early For Pro-Beggars

Discover the emotional depth and vibrant imagination of Zen Dageraad with his captivating artwork inspired by a unique urban encounter. Early morning tranquility is cleverly juxtaposed against the usually bustling city life. The absence of an habitual figure, a 'professional' beggar, stirs unexpected curiosity and introspection within the observer.

Zen's masterpiece is a compelling blend of vivid colors and rich textures. The dominant image, a pink head intricately detailed using four shades of pink and defined by a bold, dark red outline, brings an intense, raw emotion to the piece. The figure's closed eye and resting posture on two 'hands', clenched in a familiar stance of plea, add a hint of vulnerability and an air of quiet resignation.

The background paints a soft contrast, where hues of yellow, green, and blue invite tranquility. Zen Dageraad's art not only engages viewers visually but also provides a poignant social commentary, echoing through the accompanying verse. This poem gracefully explores the introspective dialogue stirred by the missing beggar's absence, further enhancing the narrative of the art.

Lost in Zen Dageraad's vivid masterpiece, ordinary meets extraordinary. A blend of colors, sizes, and shadows dance, inspired by Den Bosch's quaint street

Figures

Step into the poetic realms of Zen Dageraad's vividly rendered landscape. Imagine yourself strolling along a verdant lane, lined with charming terraced houses exhibiting hues of vibrant red and soothing purple, their yellow-bordered windows and doors creating a harmonious contrast. Now envision two monumental figures, awash in differing shades of pink, sauntering along this picturesque pathway. These colossal forms cast blue shadows, each darker than the other, stretching all the way to the lane's end, resonating an eeriness that's both intriguing and captivating.

Drawn by Zen Dageraad's encounter with an ordinary yet extraordinary street scene in Den Bosch, this artwork exudes a sense of familiarity laced with subtle other-worldliness. The scene, reminiscent of Kees van Dongen's representation of Jack Johnson, reflects the juxtaposition of the ordinary with the mystically extraordinary, stimulating deep, contemplative thoughts in the viewer.

The mesmerizing sky, painted in the most delicate shade of blue, serves as the backdrop for this play of colours, sizes, and shadows. The peculiar, yet oddly comforting, composition of this piece invites us to reassess our perception of reality, encouraging us to find beauty in our daily, often overlooked, surroundings.

Immerse in Den Bosch's tranquil charm with Zen Dageraad's art of Moerputtenbrug, fusing vivid hues and poetic storytelling. Discover daybreak's enchantment.

Moerputtenbrug

Zen Dageraad invites you on a tranquil journey to the heart of Den Bosch, through his immersive artwork featuring the Moerputtenbrug, an iconic landmark surrounded by natural beauty. Bathed in the soft glow of dawn, the bridge stands majestic and serene in hues of vibrant yellow and a soothing palette of oranges, as if personifying the stillness of an early morning in a nature reserve.

From the bottom left corner, your eyes are drawn to the curving bridge, guiding you to the top right. The orange railings and pillars, darker on one edge, gracefully descend into the surrounding water, enhancing the depth of the scene. A subtle purple border encapsulates the entire vista, tying together the elements with a flourish of color.

In the distance, lush green trees rise, their vivid trunks casting playful reflections on the water, subtly tinted a darker shade under the bridge, and a brighter green under the foliage. The scene is completed with a sprinkle of green water lilies that adorn the water surface, a silent testament to the region's rich ecology.

The artwork, with its intricate detailing and thoughtful composition, echoes Zen Dageraad's poignant sentiment beautifully captured in his poem, a tribute to the beloved Moerputtenbrug. Each line resonates with the profound tranquility and age-old charm the landscape exudes, encapsulating the essence of what it feels like to be the first visitor on a peaceful morning.

Embark on Zen Dageraad's ethereal journey, a white bridge embracing a kaleidoscope of nature's melody. Surrender to serenity in vivid strokes.

White Bridge

Immerse yourself in the serene realm of Zen Dageraad's art piece, where the essence of tranquility is encapsulated in vivid colors and familiar scenes. The main subject, a radiant white bridge adorned with soft pink borders, stretches from left to right across the piece, a harmonious contrast to the effervescent greens enveloping it. The artist has added a body of water, absent from the original perspective but significant to the piece's allure. Shades of blue with dark lines, and strikingly, two red lines, mirror the bridge above and the world around it.

Surrounding the bridge are trees of varied green hues, their pink trunks standing stark yet beautiful against the landscape. A unique touch by Dageraad, they diminish in size the farther they ascend the piece, with one partially concealing the bridge. The diversity of greens extend to a bush bordered with purple, intriguingly concealing a portion of the bridge view. The ground itself is a blend of blue-green, shadowed by the bridge and trees.

Every element mirrors the poem's narrative - a white bridge, a world more vibrant around it, and an artist's creative liberty of 'untroubled water'. It's not just a drawing, but a gateway to a peaceful place 'near my house', where 'the grass is greener', 'the trees and bushes are greener too', and 'the colors more brilliant'.

Dive into Zen Dageraad's depiction of Dutch windmills, where skilful artistry meets poetic narrative, offering a fresh perspective on the familiar.

Windmill

A compelling tribute to the timeless Dutch windmill - or wind turbine, as he affectionately terms it. Framed by towering trees dwarfed in its majesty, the windmill, drawn with immaculate detail, reigns supreme, echoing the artist's deep-rooted connection to this symbol of his homeland.

His deft strokes breathe life into a panoramic landscape, illuminated under an unobstructed sun. Its brilliance subtly mirrored in the golden halo encircling the drifting clouds and reflected by the sun-kissed flowers gracing the foreground. These elements coalesce, achieving an illusion of depth - a testament to Zen Dageraad's keen eye for perspective.

The accompanying verse resonates with this visual narrative. It tells a tale of a journey, where an ordinary encounter with a windmill magnifies into a transformative moment. As the poem echoes the windmill's enormity, it becomes a metaphor for shifting perspectives - a recognition of the colossal within the commonplace, artfully captured by Zen Dageraad.

Explore Zen Dageraad's vivid art of city lights at night, symbolizing a memorable walk home. A reminder to value the beauty in daily life.

Night Lights

A vivid portrayal of a nighttime stroll, Zen Dageraad's evocative work captures the enigmatic charm of urban illumination. Inspired by a journey home from a friend's soiree, the piece beautifully encapsulates Zen Dageraad's 70-minute nocturnal trek. His keen appreciation for the nocturnal lights gives life to the artwork, offering an abstract perspective of our familiar surroundings.

Dominating the composition are bright yellow lights that pop out from a dark blue field. Like the artist's memory of his path home, it's not cluttered with unnecessary details. Instead, it zeroes in on the lights, their brightness amplified by their simplicity. The background features a dark red sky, evoking a late evening atmosphere. Zen Dageraad meticulously reduces the size of the lights towards the horizon, lending depth and perspective to the canvas.

The artwork serves as a visual poem echoing Zen Dageraad's words, "dark red sky, fields of blue, bright & yellow lights, simply a delight." It's a poignant reminder of the beauty around us, often overlooked in our everyday lives.

Discover beauty in Zen Dageraad's art - a vibrant tribute to nature, calling viewers to find greatness in life's unexpected corners

Forest

Explore the vibrant embrace of nature through Zen Dageraad's unique artistic perspective. Inspired by a hidden pocket of serenity, this illustration brings to life a miniature world nestled amongst urban dwellings. The focus is a length of water, flanked by towering trees - a scene of simple beauty, yet it captivates with its sheer verdant allure.

Breaking from reality's color palette, Dageraad employs vivid hues to imbue depth and intrigue. The water dances in an unnatural blue, reflecting the red tree trunks that defy convention with their green and purple tones. Leaves don a striking orange, contrasted by the pink reflections dancing on the water's surface. The grass basks in yellow, subtly shifting to a darker shade under the tree's shadow, conveying depth and dimension.

Despite the unusual perspective that reveals hidden layers, the message remains grounded in nature appreciation. The art echoes the sentiments of a poem - finding beauty and greatness in the simplest, most unexpected places, if only one knows how to look.

Bunny

A compelling visual representation of a remarkable encounter. Inspired by a stroll along the outskirts of Den Bosch, this piece captures the artist's observation of a multitude of bunnies emerging from a mysterious underground burrow. Despite the abundance witnessed, the drawing intentionally focuses on simplicity, emphasizing the significance of minimalistic aesthetics.

The background presents a harmonious blend of three analogous hues, seamlessly transitioning to evoke a sense of continuity and cohesion. Notably, an experimental gradient technique adorns the rabbit hole, though the artist humbly acknowledges it as their initial endeavor in mastering this artistic element.

Furthermore, the artwork showcases meticulously crafted bushes that disregard the conventional rules of depth perception. Instead, they create their own unique sense of depth by diminishing in size as they ascend the page. This artistic choice adds a distinct charm to the composition, inviting viewers to ponder its deeper symbolism.

In essence, #513 Bunny is more than just a representation of a single yellow bunny; it symbolizes the unity and multitude encompassed within a solitary figure, defying expectations and sparking the imagination.