Timidly mesmerising - Exhibition Arjan Janssen

In October of last year I wrote a post about a wonderful Dutch artist, Arjan Janssen, whose work I had stumbled across and, ever since, I absolutely love to follow. The piece, A Study of Beautiful Simplicity, looked at the the mesmerising way in which Janssen draws us in through his work. His style sees the viewer getting quietly and willingly lost in the world that he depicts, a world that is built on a foundation of humble simplicity in order to create a harmonious rhythm for both the eye and the soul of the partaker.

So, having just recently found out that Janssen is currently exhibiting, I wanted to absolutely post about this and encourage one and all to discover his great work, or for those already familiar with it, to simply re-immerse themselves in his refreshing, modern approach.

The exhibition is on as we speak, will go through until the 23rd of February 2013, and is taking place at Galerie Hein Elferink, in Netherlands' cute town of Staphorst. So if you're currently lucky enough to be in Europe than this seems to be such a wonderful way to spend a weekend. I've even checked out where this cute little town is, and it turns out Staphorst is a 90 minute drive from Amsterdam and is, amongst other things, well known for inviting visitors to bike along the Staphorst-Rouveen road where one can take in an array of deliciously picturesque thatched-roofed farmhouses.

Looking at the collection of Janssen's work that is being exhibited, I strongly hold on to my opinion and love for what he does. There is such a presence and weight in what the lines have to say, but beyond the lines I find more in where there is no lines, the white of the canvas. As I look carefully, I find the spaces lure me softly, whereby I discover careful smudges playing on the textural characteristics of both the charcoal and graphite on paper. The composition seems to be perfectly balanced, and the weight of each stroke to be in seamless harmony with the canvas as well as with the space that it embodies, a space that we are all invited to interpret and inhabit as we desire.

Images courtesy of - Galerie Hein Elferink