Click to enlarge thumbnail images.
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- Barn & Cape Islander Diligent River, NS
watercolour 36.5 x 47.5 cm 2002
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- Bert van Leeuwen studio
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- Cape Split from - Diligent River, NS
watercolour 33 x 23 cm 2002
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- Cemetry Chapel - Calpe, Spain
watercolour 37.5 x 21.5 cm 2003
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- Five Islands, NS
watercolour 37 x 47 cm 2002
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- Gibraltar
watercolour 19.5 x 27.5 cm 2002
artist statement
I am best known as a watercolour painter, but work in all media. Deft with pen and ink, I use experimental tools, like sticks of balsa wood to achieve distinct lines. I hate fancy descriptions about my work and prefer that it speak for itself, without the aid of “expensive” words. Many people who collect my work seem to be able to detect a typical style, but I am committed to further experimentation.
selected biography
Born in Haarlem, Holland in 1922, he could not help being influenced by Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Mauve, Toorop and Verwey. His design engineering training included a lot of free-hand rendering as well as the technical aspect of graphics. He started to keep track of his artwork when he moved to Nova Scotia in 1953 and has since accumulated about 1400 pieces.
Bert presently teaches watercolour in the schools and is President of the Tantramar Artist and Artisan’s Guild. He has exhibited widely. While his earlier works focused more on social commentary, he now concentrates on portraits and coastal/marine subjects. He also makes experimental furniture.
