tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4361479924214228355.post3033254745911069636..comments2024-02-24T15:16:46.038-08:00Comments on Finland from a Teacher's Perspective: One of My Favorite People + An Artist in GoudaJanet Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071494930808386221noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4361479924214228355.post-9513372168269310612017-06-16T23:33:08.914-07:002017-06-16T23:33:08.914-07:00Dear Willie;
It is heartwarming to hear from you....Dear Willie;<br /><br />It is heartwarming to hear from you. I was so deeply affected by my time with Gerrit and your message brought back those same feelings. I am fortunate to have met him and somehow we spoke the same (unspoken) language.<br /><br />When Bryan and I left the atelier, we walked down the street but I didn't want to leave. I turned around and looked back; Gerrit was facing us and that's when I took the picture. This is the same picture that was printed on the Memorium poster; the same picture that was taken that sunny afternoon as Bryan and I were leaving Gerrit and his atelier. Thank you. There is a warmth to that picture; Gerrit content to sit in the sun, yet (perhaps) missing his cup of tea, now cold. <br /><br />Within a week or so I contacted a friend from Utrecht to translate a letter for me. I sent this letter to Gerrit and was able to express my appreciation for him and his art.<br /><br />Is Gerrit's sweet cat still alive? What was his/her name?<br /><br />I dearly wish I could join you for the art exhibit. I also wish I could buy another one of his pictures. If there is something for sale, will you please let me know?<br /><br />Thank you for writing to me and thank you for your kindness. If I'm ever back in Gouda, I would very much like to meet you.<br /><br />Sincerely, Janet English<br />Janet Englishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00071494930808386221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4361479924214228355.post-72682651728692478492017-06-16T13:05:48.625-07:002017-06-16T13:05:48.625-07:00Hi Janet, you do not know me, and that's why I...Hi Janet, you do not know me, and that's why I'm going to introduce myself: I'm Willie Kloens-de Geus, a sister-in-law of Gerrit Kloens. Your report about my brother Gerrit Koens really moved me You also typed him very well. Sadly he hardly understood English because he had a very sharp observation, was profound and had a very nice kind of humor; You should have understood each other, although the non-verbal contact you've had has also been nice to you. I want to inform you that Gerrit died on 7 May last year. He had been ill for some time, even when you met him. He suffered from a very progressive form of Parkinson's disease. Yes, he did a wonderful job and tomorrow he will be exhibiting in Gouda for 14 days in his studio. Here are some sections dedicated to him and a youtube movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWTFIyFSHvI; Http://www.ad.nl/groene-hart/kunstenaar-gerrit-kloens-uit-gouda-overleden~a244da8d/; Http://www.goudsepost.nl/nieuws/algemeen/164411/goudse-kunstenaar-gerrit-kloens-overleden-; Https://vimeo.com/59042339; Https://goudsdagblad.nl/atelier-gerrit-kloens-nog-keer-open-expositie/; Http://www.museumgouda.nl/nieuws/2016-02-06/portret-erasmus-van-gerrit-kloens/ Heartily greetings from Willie Kloens-de GeusWilliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10041598278406755416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4361479924214228355.post-46554573568766783292017-06-16T13:03:54.944-07:002017-06-16T13:03:54.944-07:00Hi Janet, you do not know me, and that's why I...Hi Janet, you do not know me, and that's why I'm going to introduce myself: I'm Willie Kloens-de Geus, a sister-in-law of Gerrit Kloens. Your report about my brother Gerrit Koens really moved me You also typed him very well. Sadly he hardly understood English because he had a very sharp observation, was profound and had a very nice kind of humor; You should have understood each other, although the non-verbal contact you've had has also been nice to you. I want to inform you that Gerrit died on 7 May last year. He had been ill for some time, even when you met him. He suffered from a very progressive form of Parkinson's disease. Yes, he did a wonderful job and tomorrow he will be exhibiting in Gouda for 14 days in his studio. Here are some sections dedicated to him and a youtube movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWTFIyFSHvI; Http://www.ad.nl/groene-hart/kunstenaar-gerrit-kloens-uit-gouda-overleden~a244da8d/; Http://www.goudsepost.nl/nieuws/algemeen/164411/goudse-kunstenaar-gerrit-kloens-overleden-; Https://vimeo.com/59042339; Https://goudsdagblad.nl/atelier-gerrit-kloens-nog-keer-open-expositie/; Http://www.museumgouda.nl/nieuws/2016-02-06/portret-erasmus-van-gerrit-kloens/ So, I think you're interested in my message. Heartily greetings, Willie Kloens-de GeusWilliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10041598278406755416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4361479924214228355.post-32222700458993412362013-04-14T23:01:33.719-07:002013-04-14T23:01:33.719-07:00I'm glad you liked Utrecht! It was pretty much...I'm glad you liked Utrecht! It was pretty much my stomping grounds from the age I was old enough to travel to the city center myself till when I left for the U.S. My brother and his girlfriend still live there. Did you happen to eat in one of the wharf cellars, down at the water level of the canals?Maarten Andriessennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4361479924214228355.post-861540143470111162013-04-14T04:05:26.323-07:002013-04-14T04:05:26.323-07:00"It was heartbreaking, and heart-filling at t..."It was heartbreaking, and heart-filling at the same time."<br />What a great description! I love it! -ChristineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4361479924214228355.post-20888542237215234002013-04-13T23:57:42.021-07:002013-04-13T23:57:42.021-07:00Lovely photos! (fotos in nederlands) One of my d...Lovely photos! (fotos in nederlands) One of my dearest friends lives in Gouda. Glad you made it to Utrecht. The sketch reminds me of your friend Bryan. Ironic? Glad you caught some of NL in sunshine, that doesn't always happen for visitors. Much love on your continued travels. I'm enjoying reading about them and remembering how much I loved those adventures first hand. Julia Fergusonhttp://www.juliaferguson.comnoreply@blogger.com