Gary J Kirkpatrick, Artist garyjkirkpatrick.com

Filming and narration by Peg Kirkpatrick, editing and production by Gary Kirkpatrick. Copyright 2024

Appingedam and Delfzijl are located in the less visited far northeast of the Netherlands. Delfzijl sits on the shore of the bay into which the Eems River empties, connecting it to the North Sea. Appingedam is a few kilometers inland. Both are served by the Eemscanal, a large barge capable canal. Appingedam picturesque municipal harbor is in the center, reached through a small lock and then by a…

Two Houses on a Canal, watercolor, r, 21 x 29 cm/8.3 x 11.8″ How it might look on a wall We came upon this scene not far from Kalenburg, Netherlands. Kalenburg is in Friesland, which has some of the most picturesque scenes in the country. I have abstracted some of the foliage, sky and water.

Pope Steven V issued a decree in 816 requiring every bishop to establish an almshouse, (‘gasthuis’ in Dutch). In the Middle Ages these houses served the sick, the poor, and pilgrims. One of the almshouses in Gronigen was the first in Europe to provide housing for the mentally ill, allowing the public to peep through the windows on Sundays to observe their behaviors. Today you can visit the…

Trump’s agreement to agree is a surrender

Thatched Roof House on Canal, watercolor, 21 x 29 cm/8.3 x 11.8″ There are many thatched roofs in the northeastern area of the Netherlands. I decided to let this one veer towards realism to give the viewer a sense of what being on the boat is like in this country. We were moored around the curve thus the canal appears off to the side.

A Visit to Closeburn, the Kirkpatrick Family Castle

Before the construction of Flevoland, Genemuiden was a port on the Zuiderzee. It was granted city rights all the way back in 1275. Nothing remains from before 1866, unfortunately, when fires destroyed the town after haystacks caught fire. To this day there is no smoking permitted on that street, probably the only such designation in the EU. Judging by the 5 churches in the town there’s a lot of…

Cochem on the Moselle III, acrylics on Canson paper, 78 x 56 cm, /30 x 22″ Cochem is on the Moselle River. We cruised there aboard our boat Viking. The view of the castle from our mooring was fabulous. I climbed the mountain for the views of the river and surrounding area. This painting is similar to Cochem II, with variations in details as well as being much larger. To see Cochem II go to…

After several days visiting friends we set off again, despite the weather having turned to gray skies and 30 kph winds. One lock and a bit of cruising brought us to the moorings at the Green Church. Set in Flevoland, one of the Netherland’s recovered land provinces, the Green Church is formed by Italian poplar trees forming the outline Notre Dame of Reims. There is no altar or anything else…

In Haren we were forced to wait for the weekend to pass before we were allowed to proceed in the small canal linking the Netherlands and Germany. The canal is tree lined, passing through farms and scattered settlements. A small sign marks the border between the two countries. Across the border lies Nieuw Amsterdam with free moorings. You just pay for electricity and water if you choose to…

Lock at Haren, watercolors, 21 x 30 cm/8.3 x 11.7″

Viking at Geldese Hout Bridge, NL Drawing of our 12 meter boat

We are about to being our last season aboard Viking. Here are paintings and drawings from recent voyages plus some from Italy Music by Bobby Darin

Watercolor self-portrait

Not Just Another Pretty Face II/ Más Que Otra Cara Bonita II, acrylics on Canson paper, 100 x 70cm, /39 x 27″ For sale at https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Not-Just-Another-Pretty-Face-Mas-Que-Otra-Cara-Bonita-II/664581/13733277/view This is a second version of this piece. The first belongs to Dones de Picanya. From Saatach’s description I have done many paintings and drawings inspired…