Winter Hikes and Painting in Nature

One thing the Netherlands teaches you is to make your own weather. Considering that over here it rains almost every day, if you wait for the perfect weather, you’ll spend the rest of your life indoors.

Knowing that summer lasts for only one day, and is usually in July (last year it was on a Thursday 🙂 ), if you’re passionate about nature, you have to learn how to fight natural elements and go after what makes you happy, regardless of the high number of clouds present on the sky. It definitely toughens you up, which is not a bad thing at all!

With that being said, why not hiking during winter? Nature is beautiful all year around, so if you really want, you can find a lot of unique places to visit and breathtaking landscapes.

Equipped with hiking boots and curiosity, I went on a few 15 km long hikes, in the very green Dutch landscape. I must say, the mix of sand, earth, trees and water always leave me breathless. It makes you feel like it’s almost not possible to have them all in one spot, and still, it works just fine! What can be nicer than seeing the dunes, the sea and the beach, even on such a cold winter day?

netherlands hiking 1netherlands hiking 2

Hiking is wonderful but something I always wanted to do, is paint in nature, and I think there’s no better way to start the year, than with some fresh air, and a bit of creativity.

One thing is for sure about painting outside during winter, on a foggy day: if you don’t lose any fingers on the making, you have to hurry and finish the painting, as the fog eats one tree at a time, removing it from your landscape. Even so, I never had more fun doing it 🙂

painting in nature

Time flies by when you’re having fun, so I was sent home earlier than planned, because of the ‘unexpected’ sunset. The panting is still work in progress, but the amazing landscape is still very much alive, deep inside my memory.


If you enjoyed this post, you should Follow Me On Twitter twitter-follow-button and Like My Page on Facebook Like_Me_Facebook_buttonfor more updates.

Snowy Mountains Painting

Let the moon
Shine on thee in thy solitary walk;
And let the misty mountain-winds be free
To blow against thee

– William Wordsworth

11705342


Contact me to buy an original painting or a very high quality reproduction on canvas 


If you enjoyed this post, you should Follow Me On Twitter twitter-follow-button and Like My Page on Facebook Like_Me_Facebook_buttonfor more updates.

Well, wasn’t that a very short spring?

Spring is not here, not even close. Don’t ever trust a snowdrop in January! 🙂

Today we had a fairytale-like snowfall, and I don’t think I ever saw Mother Nature transform this beautiful before. Either this, or I really missed the snow!

Lisa most definitely had a great time checking out Mother Nature’s winter clothing.

And when it’s this cold outside, I never forget about my outside buddies, so the birdhouse provided shelter and food, during the storm, for this gorgeous bird. image_3

On our way back, we must stop to smell the roses (as it’s too cold for roses, we have to work with snowdrops and we don’t mind, at all 🙂 ).

image_2

Happy winter-spring everyone!

Mother Nature’s Winter Diamonds

I woke up this morning only to find out that even Mother Nature got ready for Christmas, wearing her most gorgeous ice diamonds.

Mother Nature’s Little Umbrellas

Rainy season means perfect time of the year for mushroom season! They pop out pretty much everywhere. Aren’t they adorable?

The Making of Autumn

I don’t know about you, but I am definitely not done with autumn. Don’t you just love the atmosphere, the colors, the overall beauty of nature?

With every step I take, I feel even more inspired. Today I got inspired to transform the paper into autumn. Below is a painting of my brush making it happen.

I hope you enjoy it!

image_1


Contact me to buy an original painting or a very high quality reproduction on canvas 


If you enjoyed this post, you should Follow Me On Twitter twitter-follow-button and Like My Page on Facebook Like_Me_Facebook_buttonfor more updates.

Fall in the farmhouse

After a long, warm summer, fall is finally here. And what better place to admire the nature, if not in the garden of a beautiful farmhouse, surrounded by gorgeous trees?

Happy autumn everyone! 🙂

fall in farmhouse


Contact me to buy an original painting or a very high quality reproduction on canvas 


If you enjoyed this post, you should Follow Me On Twitter twitter-follow-button and Like My Page on Facebook Like_Me_Facebook_buttonfor more updates.

Vacation journal – The beauty of Romania (I)

If i had a penny for every time someone told me: “Romania is a beautiful country, too bad people live there” I’d already be living on my own private island 🙂 . All I can say is I agree with this statement.

Romania is a gorgeous country when it comes to landscape and it has so much potential and resources that you can’t help wonder why isn’t doing better than it does.

Focusing on full half of the glass, I will present those places I’ve recently been to, which are worth more than just a visit.

Transfăgărășan 

The second-highest paved road in Romania, built as a strategic military route, that stretches 90 km from north to south across the tallest sections of the Southern Carpathians. It’s probably one of the most beautiful places in Romania.

DSC_6938DSC_6928DSC_6919

Balea Lake

A glacier lake situated at 2,034 m altitude. Absolutely gorgeous area.

DSC_6956

 Transalpina –  The King’s Road

Is one of the highest roads of the Carpathian Mountains. It connects Novaci to Sebeş.

The road was built under King Carol II and rebuilt during World War II by German troops and it’s, in my opinion, the most beautiful road in the whole Country.

There are certain areas when, because of the climb, you can’t really see where the road continues, so you only see the sky. Also, if you are lucky enough to be there on a partial sunny day, you will notice the clouds are below you.

To describe it in one word: breathtaking!

DSC_7084

DSC_7118

DSC_7180

Ochiul Beiului Lake

After 15 minutes hike through the forest, you reach the beautiful blue lake, situated at an altitude of 310 m with a depth of 3.6 m. It has carst origins and doesn’t freeze during the winter because the river’s water constantly fills it.

Local legend: 

” It’s been said that a beautiful girl used to live in this area when an ottoman young man falls in love with her, kidnaps her and dishonors her. The girl chooses to take her own life and the tears of the youngster form the lake that we know today by the name of Ochiul Beiului.

Another legend tells us that the beautiful son of a pasha falls in love with a girl against his father’s wishes. The pasha kills the girl and the boy sheds tears for her and decides to take his own life as well. From the boy’s tears and sufferings a wonderful blue lake is formed. “

DSC_7384

La Vaioaga Waterfall 

It’s situated in Beusnita National Park and it’s an absolutely gorgeous waterfall.

DSC_7333

Bigar Waterfall

Situated on the national road 57 B, between Oravita and Bozovici villages, to 45 Paralel. The water falls from a cliff, which is covered with moss. It is said to be the most beautiful waterfall in the country.

DSC_7265

Rucar

Leaving National Road 1 behind, heading towards Rucar village, we meet an amazing landscape.

DSC_5044DSC_4947

DSC_4655DSC_4616DSC_5059

 Rasnov Fortress

Built between 1211 and 1225 the fortress was built as part of a defence system for the villages exposed to outside invasions.

DSC_4465

Fortress Valley Cave ( Peştera Valea Cetăţii )

Located near Râşnov, Braşov County, the cave was first opened in 1949. After a few minutes through the forest, you will reach the cave’s entrance. Due to the amazing acoustic of the cave, it used also for classical music concerts. Absolutely beautiful place, in my book.

DSC_4504DSC_4528 DSC_4554

Cheia

You will have to squeeze between the beautiful mountains, and enjoy a breathtaking view.

DSC_4701 DSC_4705 DSC_4687

So, pack your backpack and come by 🙂 Mother Nature provides the entertainment!