A Castle in the Netherlands

Dutch Castle in Muiden

My maiden name is Bolduc, which is very French-Canadian. The ancestor who originally came to North America was a French soldier named Louis Boulduc. The family name may not have originated in France though. I have heard from several sources that the name Bolduc came from Bois Le Duc which is the French name for an important city in Holland. S-Hertogenbosch or Den Bosch is not very far from Hei-en Boeicop, where my husband's family name originates. Who could have imagined?

I am proud to be French-Canadian, but part of me is tickled to have dutch blood. Between that and my desire to paint a picture of a castle, my husband and I researched castles in Holland. I really liked the photos of the Muiderslot in Muiden the Netherlands and that is how this painting came to be. I have no family connection to this particular castle that I know of, but don't think that really matters. I may paint something in the future from s-Hertogenbosch. I'm just a little jealous of my husband who actually had the chance to visit that city on a family trip when he was ten years old.

This painting was more of a challenge for me than most of the other pieces that I have done. It took me the better part of two months to paint in my spare time. Only the Versailles painting to this point has taken me longer.

Anyone interested in purchasing prints of this painting or products bearing the image, just click on the image. It will take you where you can do that. The original is available for sale. It is acrylic on canvas 24” X 18”. The asking price is $225 Canadian.

A New Painting Nears Completion

My art work space isn't much to look at. It is functional though. It's also the best I can do at this time. This is upstairs in the hunt camp I share with my husband. We managed to clear enough space at the foot of our bed to put up the easel I was given by another local artist. A cheap beat up folding chair completes the functional furnishings. Everything else in the picture is stuff that doesn't have another place. If you look close you might notice the studs and insulation through the vapour barrier.

The current project is sitting on the easel and should be completed within the week. It has been a great deal more difficult than most of my other projects. It looks good though and I'm quite pleased with it. I'm planning something smaller and simpler for my next canvas. I won't go into any further information on this project though until it is finished. Looking forward to finishing it and moving on.

Winter is coming to a close in this part of the world. We've been heating with wood all winter. Hard to control the indoor temperature but the price is right. I'm looking forward to the spring, when the weather is warmer and before the mosquitoes take over.