Small interview on Strip Turnhout

On the nice and interesting website of Strip Turnhout you can find a small article abou my recent activities. Click here.

Scherven will be translated!

Provisory cover

After my 'Memories'-trilogy has been translated in French by the Canadian editor La Pasteque as 'Jeux de mémoire', they have also decided to publish 'Scherven' in the same language. And again I'm very proud! La Pasteque has planned the book to appear early 2012. I will keep you posted.

Exhibition 'Mooi is dat!'

Since the 13th of november the pages of 'Mooi is dat!' are exhibited in the Amsterdam Library.

The exhibition also includes original work and sketches of the artists and will last till the 16th of january 2011. After it will start a journey which begins at the Stripmuseum in Brussels, Belgium.

Memory of Holland

As I've written before my contribution to 'Mooi is dat!' is my visual interpretation of the beautiful poem 'Memory of Holland' by Hendrik Marsman. It was written in 1936 and describes the beauty but also the threat of the Dutch landscape and nature. The poem was chosen as the most popular one of the 20th century.

Memory of Holland

Thinking of Holland

I see wide-flowing rivers

slowly traversing

infinite plains,

inconceivably

rarefied poplars

like lofty plumes

on the skyline in lanes;

and submerged in the vastness

of unbounded spaces

the farmhouses

strewn over the land,

tree clumps, villages,

truncated towers,

churches and elm trees -

all wondrously planned.

the sky hangs low

and slowly the sun by

mists of all colours

is stifled and greyed

and in all the regions

the voice of the water

with its endless disasters

is feared and obeyed.

When I read the poem I could recognize the wideness and beauty of the Dutch landscape, but I also felt the threat in Marsman's words, growing and growing with every strophe. I have tried to translate that feeling in the imagery and colours of my artwork.

In the last strophe Marsman describes the danger of the water that is everywhere. There it became even more interesting for me. Because Marsman and his wife fled from France by boat at the beginning of the Second Worldwar. But their ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat and Marsman died, swallowed by... the water.

That's why I have drawn a small story in the margin where you can see Marsman's last minutes. Finally the two stories come together 'in water'.

If you're interested in a signed print of this work (size 28,5 x 40,0 cm), prize 20,- euro's (shipping costs not included), please send me an email: erikdegraafcomics@gmail.com

Utrecht, 6th of november

Last saturday I was at 'de Kunststripbeurs' in Utrecht with my books, prints, postcards and other stuff. This happening in the 'Janskerk' is a very nice way for comicartists to meet a new public.

For the visitors there was a lot to discover: well known artists like Joost Swarte, Hanco Kolk and Maaike Hartjes, but also upcoming talents like Aimé de Jong and Martijn van Santen.

The doors opened at ten o'clock but the start was quite slow. Around one o'clock more people came in and I had a busy afternoon signing and selling my stuff.

At two o'clock 'Mooi is dat!' was presented and after that I could also sell signed prints of my contribution to the book. I got very positive reactions on it.

But my moment of the day was meeting Javier Mariscal who gave me beautiful compliments about my work. He made my day!

Impression Comic Artfair Utrecht!

Journalist Michael Minneboo made a nice (movie) impression of the 'Kunststripbeurs' of last saturday in Utrecht.

Take a look here!

Next sturday, don't forget: Comics-art fair in Utrecht

I just want to remind you that this saturday, 6th of november, I will be at the 'Kunststripbeurs' at the Janskerk in Utrecht. Doors open at 10 o'clock. I will bring all my books, and sign them personally for you if you like, postcards and several colorprints.

After the presentation of 'Mooi is dat' at 2 o'clock I will also sell signed prints of my contribution to the book: 'Denkend aan Holland'.

Hope to see you there!

Presentation 'Mooi is dat!'

On the 'Kunststripbeurs' in the Janskerk in Utrecht next saturday (6th of november), 'Mooi is dat!' will be presented. I've written about it before. It's a book with more than fifty highlights from Dutch literature, translated in a one page-comic.

Editor Gert Jan Pos also asked me to contribute and I made my interpretation of the poem 'Denkend aan Holland' from Hendrik Marsman.

Yesterday there was already a praising article in NRC Handelsblad in which my contribution -together with other ones- was described and -partly- shown.

I can also show you the cover, beautifully designed by Ruben Steeman (who did the complete book).

What I have seen of the book is really great, a kaleidoscope of styles of the invited Dutch and Belgian artists.

After the 'Kunststripbeurs' I will show my complete contribution on this blog.

Comic-art Fair, 6th of november, Janskerk, Utrecht

On saturday the 6th of november I will be at the 'Kunststripbeurs, Janskerk, Janskerkhof 26, Utrecht. It is a fair where comic-artists will sell their work, like books, prints, original artwork etc.... I will bring all of my books. 'Verbleekte Herinneringen', 'Gekleurd Geheugen', 'Gevonden Verleden' and 'Ingelijste Herinneringen' will be reasonably priced.

I will also sell 'Verzamelde Herinneringen' and 'Scherven'. And of course your book will be signed personally. Apart from my books you can find sets of postcards and various signed full colour prints, also fairly priced.

The doors of the church will open at ten o'clock and close at five o'clock. I hope to meet you there!

Framed Memories

A few years ago I had an exhibition at Gallery Lambiek in Amsterdam showing drawings that fitted my 'Memories trilogy'. They also appeared in the small book 'Ingelijste Herinneringen', which came out in a signed and limited edition. The booklet is still available (send me an email if you're interested). In 2008 I showed the same drawings together with my 'Scherven portraits' at Lilys Gallery in the Hague. Now I also like to show my Framed Memories on this blog.

Indian summer 1969

'Ooievaarskuitenvet'

Have a bite

The first time

Christmas 1965

Old newspapers

Snuitje

Snuitje?

Pep

Fridaynight

Willem 2

Bazooka Joe

3 Corners penalty

Stripdagen Houten

Okay, I'm a bit late. But tomorrow (25th of september) I will be signing Scherven (and my other books) at the Oog & Blik stand in Houten. If you consider to come don't hesitate and drop by! It will be a pleasure to sign a book for you and make a small drawing.

Scherven Portraits

Before I started drawing Scherven I had made portraits of all main characters. Not traditional portaits, but drawings combined with all kind of elements that tell something about each person. In the portraits I also have tried to bring in the atmosphere of the forties.

Victor

Esther

Chris

Corné

Maas

Vrouw Maas

Krijn

Dingeman

Pieter

Meester Rozenberg

Geert

Daams