In the words of artist, Geertje Kapteijns: "Candlemas is the festival of lights that closes the great Christmas season. Where we literally and figuratively take over the carrying of light from nature with Saint Martin and the lighting the first candle, and then on February 2, we welcome natural light and the start of a new growth cycle in nature with Candlemas. In the kindergarten classes, empty walnut halves are filled with leftover candle wax to make new candles. These walnut boats are launched by the toddlers to say goodbye to the artificial light of winter days indoors. Snowdrops stick their heads above the ground at this time, marking the start of another full year."
Geertje Kapteijns (1980) is a visual artist, living in Dordrecht, Netherlands. When her children went to a Waldorf school, she was introduced to the way in which the seasons and annual festivals are celebrated and how children are able to be children during childhood. This has proved to be a huge source of inspiration. She started making chalkboard drawings and over time, she released them as cards, as well as her watercolour paintings as cards. The cards are small works of art that encourage a conscious reflection on a certain time of the year or a certain event and the feeling that goes with that. Drawings that make you look forward to remembering a beautiful moment.
There is something magical about a chalkboard drawing. Because of the black background, you not only apply color when you start drawing, but also light. Chalk as a material is vulnerable but also very flexible, you can make quick impressions with it, but you can also work with it in detail. The board drawings are transient, and eventually become again. However, this also creates space for a new drawing.
Geertje uses Mercurius chalkboard chalk for all her chalkboard drawings
10.5 x 14.8 cm.
Print of a chalkboard drawing on a large quality paper card.
Printed in the Netherlands.
