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Pita Vreugdenhil
Pita Vreugdenhil (1945) practiced various forms of art before taking a course in visual creativity at the Institute for Creative Crafts in Hoenderloo. In order to get to know the technical possibilities of the various materials better, she followed a number of courses.

The work of Pita Vreugdenhil shows a clear preference for still lifes executed in oil on linen. Splendor as the aim of the still life has gradually made way for a simple and sober choice of subjects. These objects are painted with the utmost precision in a well-considered composition, often with fruits and/or flowers. The overall picture must ensure a balanced whole, in which the objects each have their own space, but at the same time have a relationship with each other. Detailing and material expression are not only important. A subtle play of light and shadow, shape and color allows visible reality to pass into visible silence.

Her paintings are built up from thin layers of paint, according to the wet on wet principle. First a sketch is made on the linen with charcoal pencil, after which the first thin layer of paint is applied. The canvas then has the appearance of a watercolor. A number of subsequent layers are applied over the first layer, with which the colors are strengthened or, on the contrary, tempered and accents are applied. The painting reaches its completion by glazing the work with transparent color tones.

This way of working is a lengthy process. Layer after layer, line, shape and color are created. Easygoing solutions do not suffice, a lot of patience, concentration and endurance are required. After each coat of paint, a drying time must be observed that varies from a few days to a few weeks.

Despite the fact that several canvases are worked on at the same time, the production of a fine painter remains relatively small in relation to artists who work more freely. Pita Vreugdenhil exhibited in many places in the Netherlands.

The artworks below by Pita Vreugdenhil are available at