Gallery

Long walks invite reflection. While walking Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Path in northern England, Johan created these small gouache works along the way. In them, he seeks to capture the essence of the wide, empty landscapes - sometimes rugged, sometimes idyllic. In addition to the gouache works, there are later works in oils and pastel.

From coast to coast

(2025)

Long walks invite reflection. While walking Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Path in northern England, Johan created these small gouache works along the way. In them, he seeks to capture the essence of the wide, empty landscapes - sometimes rugged, sometimes idyllic. In addition to the gouache works, there are later works in oils and pastel.
These works depict places in Leiden during moments of relative quiet: alleyways at night, parks by day, and transitional spaces where movement has temporarily paused. Through simplification and attention to light and space, the city shifts from backdrop to landscape. Human presence is mostly implied; the focus lies on atmosphere, time, and observation.

City and stillness

(2025 - 2026)

These works depict places in Leiden during moments of relative quiet: alleyways at night, parks by day, and transitional spaces where movement has temporarily paused. Through simplification and attention to light and space, the city shifts from backdrop to landscape. Human presence is mostly implied; the focus lies on atmosphere, time, and observation.
This series of landscapes focuses on open space and direction: paths, fields, and transitional zones in which light guides the eye through the image. Through simplification and a loose painterly touch, description of the landscape gives way to experience. Movement is present but slowed; human presence remains implicit.

Where light leads

(2025 - 2026)

This series of landscapes focuses on open space and direction: paths, fields, and transitional zones in which light guides the eye through the image. Through simplification and a loose painterly touch, description of the landscape gives way to experience. Movement is present but slowed; human presence remains implicit.
Still lifes and small interior scenes in acrylics, oils, or soft pastels

Stillifes

(2025)

Still lifes and small interior scenes in acrylics, oils, or soft pastels
Small series, an exploration of a landscape in different seasons

Seasons

(2026)

Small series, an exploration of a landscape in different seasons
Landscapes inpired by New Zealand nature. I visited this beautiful country in 2010/2011 and have recently been inspired by contemporary New Zealand artists, especially Samuel Earp.

New Zealand

(2026)

Landscapes inpired by New Zealand nature. I visited this beautiful country in 2010/2011 and have recently been inspired by contemporary New Zealand artists, especially Samuel Earp.
These small works were painted en plein air. To preserve the spontaneity of the moment and the local light, I did not rework them in the studio. Any imperfections are part of the atmosphere of working on location.

Outside (en plein air)

(2026)

These small works were painted en plein air. To preserve the spontaneity of the moment and the local light, I did not rework them in the studio. Any imperfections are part of the atmosphere of working on location.
In summer, I often think back to the seemingly endless summers of my youth—long days spent outdoors in nature or at the beach, summer friendships, and a sense of longing.

The long summer

(2026)

In summer, I often think back to the seemingly endless summers of my youth—long days spent outdoors in nature or at the beach, summer friendships, and a sense of longing.