The WordPress website of Arnold van der Heijden, a Dutch illustrator from the Netherlands, has been updated with his two newest paintings.
‘Kiemkracht’ and ‘Transformatie’
New work is now visible on the website of Arnold van der Heijden, a Dutch illustrator. The two recent paintings, ‘Kiemkracht’ and ‘Transformatie’, are part of a series featuring the egg as a central symbol.
The work originated from an earlier preliminary design for a large mural, which ultimately found its way onto canvas. The painting ‘Kiemkracht’ has now found a place at an alternative, low-noise camping/living space.
‘Kiemkracht’ (140 x 70 cm)
About ‘Kiemkracht’, Arnold writes: “This painting originated from a rather strange dream featuring a large egg shape, like a kind of prehistoric discovery. Unlike in my brainwork paintings, I sought the symbolism of the egg, the seed, from which life springs. Various life forms emerge from it, surrounding the origin in natural colors. Hence, it received the title ‘Kiemkracht’ (Germinating Power).”
View the painting here: Kiemkracht
‘Transformatie’ (140 x 70 cm)
The second painting, ‘Transformatie’ (Transformation), thematically follows this. Arnold explains: “Following a butterfly dance, I created another painting with the egg as the center; the life already visible as an embryo through the shell. Where ‘Kiemkracht’ focused on natural life, I wanted to create connections between life here and the surrounding cosmos: one whole. Butterflies are sometimes seen as messengers from the light between earth and the afterlife. The transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis, to a butterfly remains a wonder, which for me contains a spark of the cosmos.”
View the painting here: Transformatie
A Third Painting in Preparation
A third painting in the series is likely. Arnold is exploring how to integrate animal and plant life into it.
On his website, Arnold writes: “Every blank canvas is an opportunity…” An invitation to view his complete creative journey, including these new works, at www.arnoldvdheijden.nl.
