Karen tell us a brief bit about who you are and how did you end up in HOLLAND?
At age 19-1/2 I left Palo Alto, California, to study art in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Studying art in Europe was always a dream of mine and it was more a challenge to go where I had to learn a new language.
The only thing I was certain of was that I was accepted at the Royal Academy of Art for the 5 year study.
Besides that I didn’t know the language, didn’t know a soul, where I’d live and had only my own savings.
I learned the language on my own, using comic books in the beginning.
After a year I met my now ex who I later married.
To make a long story short, I’ve been in the Netherlands now 49 years working as a professional artist with a most amazing large studio in the old city center.
My specialties are portraits and illustrations in oil or watercolor.
My free work is a bit more abstract.
I also give private art lessons.
As an artist’s work is done in solitude I love having a part-time job and now have been working for Apple more than 3 years. They embrace diversity, thus age is no problem!
It’s so fun and inspiring to work there as it’s like a family for me.
Keeps also your brain young with all the learning!
California remains in my roots.
Each year I visit at least once or twice although in 2020 I made the trip only once.
I was to be there during the nail biting election!
I still would love to move back but whether that’s wise????
My style has definitely evolved after living in the Netherlands for so many years.
How to describe it: modern, artistic, with a mix of classic along with trendy pieces.
Everyone says I’m very stylish and a fashionista.
I love dressing nicely even during lockdown and I’m not going to see anyone.
Even my workout outfits are fashionable and pretty!
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ACCESSORY?
A hard choice but jewellery is my favorite which I wear every day. One of my favorites is the large gold ring with a blue topaz my cousin designed for me. Besides that I always wear my mother’s “first” engagement ring which was from her British fiancé, an Officer in the Royal Navy, who lost his life in WWII when his ship got torpedoed. Very sad…. That ring I wear stacked with 3 other rings, every day.
COLOR COMBO’S:
ARE YOU A BLACK & WHITE GAL OR MORE BEIGE & WHITE?
COLORS!
As an artist I love colors!
I usually wear colors, dark blue, red, hot pink, green, but also black.
In the summer I wear a lot of white which I love wearing.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SHOP TO SHOP FOR CLOTHING IN HOLLAND AND CALIFORNIA?
Oh la la… My favorite shop in the Netherlands:
The Bijenkorf which means beehive and is the largest, top quality department store in the Netherlands.
A sort of mixture between Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.
I also worked there for 10-1/2 months.
For smaller shops I also love a tiny boutique called Hof Fashion (love the jewellery) and Max Mara.
In California I love going to Nordstrom’s, Neiman Marcus (expensive!) and Bloomingdale’s.
All of the mentioned shops are fun to walk around to check out the inspiring items plus how they display things.
DO YOU FOLLOW FASHION TRENDS?
Some trends I follow if I feel they suit me and can use them for a long time.
I never buy something that I’ll just use for a month or so.
ARE YOU MORE EUROPEAN OR AMERICAN?
Good question!
My character and style has definitely become more European.
Many people think I’m French because of my style but perhaps they’re influenced by the French berets that I wear! I’ve learned much more about fashion and style since I’ve lived here, plus my own character has developed more.
My roots remain Californian, especially from the Bay Area with all the free spirit and Silicon Valley way of thinking.
The entrepreneurs, people developing new ideas and daring to go after their dreams.
Even though California has changed a lot the last 49 years but I still love it.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICED TO CHANGE ABOUT THE AGING PROCESS?
YOUR SKIN,HAIR,BONE LOSS?
Oh that ?…
First I noticed the cellulite on my thighs?
When I reached menopause and immediately decided I needed to join a gym.
After that.. the wrinkles but besides that I’m happy that I’m healthy and have soft skin.
Luckily I don’t have a double chin!
Karen’s Artwork
DO YOU CHERISH YOUR FRIENDSHIPS MORE NOW THAN EVER?
Definitely! Classmates from elementary school who I’ve known since I was 6 I still communicate with daily.
Also my best friend I’ve known since I was 12, who lives in California.
We’ve been emailing one another long emails, like a diary, since January 1999.
We first had sent yearly Christmas cards until we finally realized we could email one another!
Karen’s Artwork
WHO WAS YOUR MUSE GROWING UP?
HOW ABOUT TODAY?
That’s a tough one. Picasso was always my main inspiration for many years but now for art it’s more Matisse and David Hockney. For fashion and way of thinking: Chanel, Denise Boomkens (instagram @and.bloom), Kat Farmer (instagram @doesmybumlook40) and of course THE VINTAGE CONTESSA who is back on INSTAGRAM under Contessa and her pig!
DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR STYLE STRENGTHS ARE TODAY?
Being able to throw things together to make a great outfit using old, new, second-hand, expensive or inexpensive items. Knowing what suits my personality and daring to wear a lot of color or an unusual combination.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE (CAN’T DO WITHOUT) MAKE UP PRODUCT AND WHY?
Chanel lipstick… and concealer!
I love the lipsticks with the great colors.
Also no awful fragrance.
As for the concealer.. always perfect to make you look healthy!
Karen’s ARTWORK!
WHAT BOOK HAVE YOU READ LATELY THAT WE MIGHT ENJOY?
My latest book was Disloyal by Michael Cohen (hope you’re also glad Trump has left the WH!).
A very interesting book telling about what it was like working with Trump before and during his presidency.
What an awful man who cares only about himself and avoids paying bills.
Now I’m about to start Rage, by Bob Woodward.
IF ONE WERE TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL AGAIN WHAT SHOULD ONE SEE IN HOLLAND?
CAN YOU GIVE US A RUN DOWN OF WHAT TO SEE AND DO PLEASE!
So much to see in the Netherlands!
Amsterdam and The Hague are a must.
Such beautiful cities with amazing history and beautiful architecture.
Also the museums like Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.
In The Hague the Mauritshuis is a must.
It’s my favorite museum which is small and has the most amazing collection of Vermeer, Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, etc. paintings.
Maastricht, near Belgium is also a favorite city of mine.
Visiting the windmills is another must!
KAREN,
Thank you so much for answering my questions and sending me these photos!I enjoyed reading your answers VERY MUCH!Now, as most of you know with the exception of the new subscribers NOW WE ALL HEAD OVER to
CINDY HATTERSLEY’S BLOG to see her PICK for this months AGELESS STYLE.
That way you can visit TWO NEW WOMEN in their environment and connect or incorporate something they do to your DAILY LIFE!
TO FOLLOW KAREN ON INSTAGRAM TAP HERE AND FOLLOW.
TO FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK click HERE
THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING AND LEAVING LOVELY COMMENTS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR KAREN SHE WILL ANSWER YOU DIRECTLY!
IN THE COMMENT AREA AFTER THE SUBSCRIPTION BOX…………KEEP SCROLLING DOWN!
SEIZE THE DAY EVERYONE………
THINGS ARE LOOKING A TAD BIT BETTER HERE IN CALIFORNIA!
We had a lot of rain and wind the last few days but the COVID patients in ICU IS GOING DOWN!
BE WELL!
XXX
110 Comments
Leave your reply.