Laurens G. Vermaesen
Verdistraat 137
2324 KC Leiden

+ 31- (0)71- 5720341
sir.galahad@tiscali.nl
www.sir-galahad.net

Croydon College of Art
London - England. (1978 - 1982)

Exhibitions
1984 De Waag - Leiden- The Netherlands
1985 De Waag - Leiden
1988 Gallery Podium - The Hague
1991 Library - Noordwijk
1991 RAI - Amsterdam
1993 Art Expo - Jaarbeurs Utrecht
1994 Pulchri Studio - The Hague
1995 't Spant - Bussum
1996 Gallery Anton Gidding - The Hague
1996 Holland Art Fair - The Hague
1996 Gallery Bizarre - The Hague
1997 The Golden Touch - The Hague
1997 Gooi Art Fair - Baarn
1998 Ten Caetermere - Beringen - Belgium
1998 Art Hairdresser "Serge" - Leiden
1998 Gallery Joconde's Kabinet - The Hague
1999 Leiden Art Fair - Leiden
1999 Art Manifestation - Leiden
(organised by The Kiwani's, Lions Club and Rotary Club)
2000 Gallery Bau Bau - Amsterdam
2002 ABC Treehouse Gallery - Amsterdam
2003 SFB Group - Amsterdam
2003 Hooglandse Kerk - Leiden (joint exhibition)
2003 "Serge" - Leiden
2003 Art Gallery Caro - Leiden
2003 Art Fair - Leiden

Specialities

A C.V. is not the place to be modest. So here is my attempt to make a good impression on you.
I got my art training at the Croydon College of Art in London, England, where I did two years of graphic design followed by a one year intensive illustration course and a post-graduate illustration year. My illustration tutor was Ernest Jones, who has been a fellow student of David Hockney. Yes, I love name dropping and that is reason enough to keep on reading.

During my studies I discovered the Pre-Raphaelites, Lord Leighton, the Dutch painter Laurens Alma-Tadema, Franz Xaver Winterhalter and John Singer Sargent. I consider them my source of inspiration, together with the Italian Renaissancists, the Impressionists and many 19th century Russian realist painters.
It is my dream, just like the Impressionists, to receive a nickname, so that my paintings will get the cookie-tin status

The illustrators I admire are, amongs others, Howard Pyle, H.C.Christy N.C. and Andrew Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, J.C.Leyendecker, Norman Rockwell, Milton Glaser, Brad Holland, Gary Kelly, the Dutch illustrators Hans Kresse and Ben Verkaaik and many British illustrators.
They are all people who have made, or are still making, life richer, more colourful and more interesting and, hey, take a look at my work. Many of my paintings really do look good on your flowery wallpaper and my illustrations are eyecatchers.

In my paintings the natural mixture of realism and fantasy plays an important part. My classical art training shows that I love telling stories in a good and controlled technique. Still I am not trying to push my fantasies onto you, the viewer. Whilst watching you just have to use your own imagination and make up your own story, because you are also very creative, aren't you! My only desire is to add something beautiful to your and my surroundings. To encourage people to enjoy the beauty that life and art have to offer seems to be my greatest aim. And ain't that just a noble endeavour!

In all my works a well thought-out composition, good technique and a well considered use of colour are important aspects ( nicked that from Leonardo Da Vinci).
After having lived in London for 8 years I got fed up with the place and felt it was time to move back to my Fatherland. So since 1984 I have been working in the Netherlands as a free-lance illustrator for several advertising agencies, publishers and companies. Beside illustrations I make paintings, murals and portraits in pencil, watercolours and oils. Versatility is what I am looking for and what I am going after, as the many subjects in his website clearly are showing (I got that from Michaelangelo Buonarroti!).

In 1988 - 1990 I worked as a teacher at the fashion department of the "Kunstacademie Rotterdam" (Great with all those babes).

In 1990 - 1991 I was teaching drawing for advertising at the "Holtlant College" in Leiderdorp (where I had to deal with 14 year old brats).

Since 1991 I have been working as a free-lance teacher at the "Junior*, Academy for Art Direction" in Amsterdam. The subjects I teach there are: composition, perspective, chromatics, drawing techniques, illustration, life-drawing and visualising.

At the moment I am also busy writing and illustrating a watercolour-teaching book which I hope to get published throughout the USA and Europe.
Another dream that will find it's fulfillment in the nearest future.
Well, to anyone who, after having seen my work and after having read this, still hesitates whether to buy one of my paintings or not, or commission me with an illustrationproject I just have to say:"Use yer loaf and dare to follow yer heart!"
You won't be disappointed.