After all the hard work last weeks, I needed a little break.
My ‘men’ and I stayed with my parents.
We visited an art exhibition and ofcourse I had to say hello
to my beloved waves…

I started working on a big art journal page last week.
I finished it this morning.

Alle dinge zijn mi te inge

(Miscellaneous big art journal: 25 x 35 cm - 9.8 x 13.8 inch)

Used materials: dictionary book page, distress ink, adirondack color wash,
clear embossing powder, white sharpie

The poem on this page is written in in the 13th century by Hadewijch (c. 1240)

Here’s a little ‘history lesson’

Hadewijch is at the very heart of literature from the low countries.
This mystic from Brabant occupies a lofty seat in the throne-room
of spiritual courtly poetry and was the first woman in Europe to risk
singing of mystical love in pure love poetry.

In the late Middle Ages, Hadewijch was deeply admired in religious circles.
When her work was rediscovered in the nineteenth century, people were
initially astounded: was it erotic or spiritual love that was being celebrated
so ardently? Soon a new fascination developed, no longer kindled by religious
sentiment, but by Hadewijch’s linguistic virtuosity: at the dawn of Dutch
literature stands a woman who, with astonishing craftsmanship, gave shape
to a passionate mysticism of longing.

(source: national library of the Netherlands)

The poem is almost impossible to translate.
I know there are English translations available, but I don’t have them and
I don’t dare trying to translate it myself. This poem is in ‘ancient Dutch’
(from the 13th century) and already hard to read for Dutchies today…
the poems of Hadewijch belongs to the Dutch literary history and is still
learned in high schools

Alle dinge, zijn mi te inge
Ik ben zo wijd, om een ongeschepen
Heb ik begrepen, in eeuwigen tijd.
Ik heb’t gevaan, het heeft mi ontvaan
Widere dan wijd, mi es te inge al el
Dat wette wel, gi dies ook daar zijt.

Summer vacation in Holland is almost over… some of the schools
already started and next week, most kids will be back to school.

Time for moms to find some ‘me time’.

So here’s a reminder for you:

My (online) workshops in Autumn!

Registration for these workshops is now open.
Click on the images to get all the information on the website.