Jerome Bech's Work

Although Jerome Bech was strongly infuenced by the COBRA movement, which shows through in his work, he developed his own style.

This is made obvious, looking at his work from the early years of 2000. His work is also expanded by objects, flyers, anything he can think of with his creative mind.

His frolic paintings express emotions, intertwined with some mockery, but are always vibrant with color. He gets his inspiration from daily life, people and the news, and his creations are half realistic, half fantastic.

© 2008 Jerome Bech.

About Jerome Bech

Jerome Bech, a dutch painter, is known for his colorful paintings and objects, which are occasionally accompanied by humorous and textual remarks.

Jerome Bech was born on February 11th, 1970 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He grew up in Hoevelaken, The Netherlands, where he attented the Waldorf School. In the 80's his family, consisting of the parents and one brother, moved close to Bergen, a village which is extremely popular amongst numerous painters, musicians and poets.

Jerome started his career doing several things, but none satisfied him untill he found out he loved painting and creating objects, using all kinds of materials.

Inspite of an intensive search, I have not been able to find more on Jerome Bech's personal life then this. Should I come across it in the future, I will share the info by updating this post. :-)

© 2008 Jerome Bech.

See also:
Jerome Bech's Work
Jerome Bech's Economical Impact

For Better and For Worse

RA has its ups and downs. Periods when my joints hurt, followed by periods when I don't have any pain at all. At those "good times", I noticed how easy it is to take being pain-free for granted and how quick I get used to living without pain. I know, that is how it should be but that doesn't mean I can safely assume that is how it always is going to be. And it is not! And then, when the pain strikes again, then... I realize how grateful I should have been for those pain-free times. Then I realize how God blessed me and how I accepted it without giving enough praise to Him. But when joints hurt, guess who is praying and asking?? Yep :-)

I heard in several occasions, when times are bad people turn away from God. When they experience good times they can't seem to find enough gratitude and can't seem to say often enough how good God is. Yes, we should count our blessings. But why run from Him when things get rough? Of all reasons, wouldn't that be the one to turn to Him?

I turn to Him when things are bad but tend to overlook His blessings in good times.
Many turn to Him when things are good but tend to overlook Him in bad times.

Why do we create that division? It is our responsibility to walk with Him through ALL times. Why would we abandon Him? He is there for us, in good times and bad times, for better and for worse.

Thank You Lord for all your blessings and thank You for being there for me, always:-)

Know What To Do

Many people diagnosed with RA and Arthritis, fall into a black hole at first. I know that from experience as well! You don't know what to expect, what to do, or how to go on. I hope this article may be of some help.

"The “Take Control” Time line:
After receiving an RA diagnosis, follow this general guideline for what should happen in the first two years. Everybody is different, however, so talk to your doctor about the course of treatment that's likely to work for you. "If you are functioning as you need to for your life, your arthritis is well controlled and you're not having excess pain, then your treatment is on target," says Arthur Kavanaugh, MD, rheumatologist and director of the Center for Innovative Therapy at the University of California, San Diego.

At the first sign of symptoms:
Make an appointment with a physician for a diagnosis. Joint damage will be assessed using MRI or X-ray. Prognosis will be estimated based on age, test results and the presence of other rheumatic conditions, such as Sjögren's syndrome, and any involvement of the lungs, heart, spleen or blood vessels.

Within two months:
Methotrexate usually will be the first disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) prescribed. Methotrexate takes one to two months to show benefit, so consider a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or analgesic for pain while the methotrexate begins to work.
Within six months:
If methotrexate is not working by now, your doctor may switch you to another DMARD or add a biologic agent. Monthly or bimonthly liver function tests will be done if you're taking Arava, methotrexate or Remicade; periodically if you take cyclosporine; and yearly if you're taking salicylates or other NSAIDs.

By one year:
If examinations and tests show disease activity, progression or joint damage, your doctor may step up your medication.

After two years:
Disease activity and progression will be monitored at each visit. Discuss the effectiveness of your medications and any health problems you experience with your doctor.

Always:
Continue to learn about your condition, exercise regularly, eat well, lose weight if necessary, stay socially active and protect your joints.
~Arthritis Foundation, Posted 5/8/07, May-June 2007."

The main thing in all of this, however, is not to loose courage and faith. For those of you just diagnosed with RA, take this from this ol' gal, who has been living with it for 19 years now: the meds these days are so good, you won't have to live in and with pain anymore, and the deformities can be stopped before they happen! Yes, you may have to adjust your life some, but... God may close one door, but He will always open others! :-)

Encouragement

Even in the midst of storms, There are so many blessings

All we have to do is look for them and be encouraged, knowing those storms shall pass as well, and we will have all we need to get through them.

Even more so, not only will problems eventually get solved, situations will improve. Actually, everything will turn out to be better then it was before. We may not like to go through those storms and it surely is not what we want, but there is a reason for everything.

There is also always the knowledge we are not, and don't have to go through them, alone. :-)

A Degree in Blond VII

A blond calls her boyfriend and says:
"Please come over here and help me. I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can't figure out how to get started."
Her boyfriend asks:
"What is it supposed to be when it's finished?"
The blond says:
"According to the picture on the box, it's a rooster."

Her boyfriend decides to go over and help with the puzzle. She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table. He studies the pieces for a moment, then looks at the box, then turns to her and says:
"First of all, no matter what we do, we're not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster."

He takes her hand and says:
"Second, I want you to relax. Let's have a nice cup of tea, and then ..."
he said with a deep sigh:

"Now, let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box."

I thought this was extremely funny, but what stood out to me was her friend and his reaction.

How do you deal with this, without hurting someone and making them feel stupid? With love and care! His attitude portrayed just that. Not only was he more then happy to help her with the "puzzle", but after finding out she was under the wrong impression, he was very mindful of her.

Sometimes people blurt out their thoughts, without giving any consideration to the other person. It is so much better to be kind, caring and gentle. It helps the other person to learn more easily and still leaves them with their dignity. :-)

Explanation of Death

This is not an every day topic, but I can not believe it has never crossed your mind. Many wonder what happens after passing away. Many don't wonder at all, but look forward to life after death (yours truly falls in that category). Some refuse to think about it.

I thought this was a beautiful explanation, which I would like to share with y'all.

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said:
"Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said:
"I don't know."

"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door. On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining. As he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said:
"Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside.He knew nothing except that his master was here and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough."

It all comes down to a matter of faith, doesn't it?! :-)

Legal Representative

A time may occur, when someone is in need of an attorney and some good legal advice. It doesn't matter what kind of legal advice you may require, there is a service that matches your case with a lawyer who is specialized in that specific area.

The New Jersey area has a Legal Service Network specialized in helping you finding the right legal specialist. Filling out a simple form will be followed by attorneys competing for your business and contacting you either by e-mail or phone, for a no obligation appointment.

I hope this service will open their doors all over the States. We can use the best representation possible, in times of need.

Babies II

Some people say they don't like babies and never want to have any. I used to be one of them, when I was young. As I grew older I changed my mind. Or maybe it was my "biological clock" that turned me around, haha.

Agreed, they are a great responsibility, but the joy these little bundles bring and give, is the greatest blessing one can receive!



I am ready. Can we finally go now?








Mom, let's go to the hairdresser next time!











Peek a boo. I found you.









I can't seem to figure out why everyone likes to hold me.











I could tell you what's so funny, but I am keeping it under my hat.











They still don't get it... I DON'T LIKE PINK!







Now, if you can tell me why they are not precious, I would love to hear it. Don't expect me to agree with you though! :-)

Redneck Or Genius V

I got some more pics to share with you about our Suthern life-style. We don't let anything go to waste, ya know. And if we don't have it, we'll make it!

We decided we needed a new car, but since we like to seat the entire family, we came up with a great solution.

How do you like our limo?!

It comes in handy when we go to our vacation home at the river.

The kids have lots of fun water-skiing.

And us old folks have our own games

It can get pretty hot in the summer, so a cool drink is always welcome

We all like to sit down for supper and eat at the same time

We didn't need that toilet anyway. We got our own fancy out-house.

Nope, we don't let anything go to waste. Livin' is easy. Just take it as it comes and don't worry about tomorrow!

Fighting a Battle

I came across this quote that was sent to me by an e-mail:

'Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

This goes much further then one would expect. Just think:
- That grouchy person at work may have problems and doesn't see any light at the end of the tunnel.
- That distant person may just not know how to socialize, but would love to have a friend and is extremely lonely.
- That annoying person, who bothers you for every little thing, may just need someone to talk to.
- That always friendly and jovial person with the walking stick, may just cover up his/her pain with a smile and could use some sympathy.
- That stingy person, always trying to get a bargain, may just be in financial problems and could use a helping hand.

There are many more examples like this all around you. All you have to do is look and think, if you were in their position, what would you like for them to do?

So yes, let's be more kinder than we normally would be. It doesn't hurt, it doesn't cost you anything, but it will go long ways and might make some one's day. :-)

A Degree in Blond VI

Returning home from work, a blond was shocked to find her house ransacked and burglarized. She telephoned the police at once, and reported the crime. The police dispatcher broadcast the call on the radio, and a K-9 unit, patrolling nearby, was the first to respond.

As the K-9 officer approached the house with his dog on a leash, the blond ran out on the porch, shuddered at the sight of the cop and his dog, then sat down on the steps.

Putting her face in her hands, she moaned:
"I come home to find all my possessions stolen. I call the police for help, and what do they do? They send me a BLIND policeman!"

Poor critter! What a perfect example of assumptions. Have you noticed how much we assume? Just pay attention to yourself and look where it is you misinterpret a tone of voice, read between the lines instead of actually listening to the words said, or take a certain action or pose the wrong way?

Instead of asking outright for what we need, we assume we already know. How many misunderstandings have come out of that? How many friendships and other relations have gone by the wayside because of that?

How much hurt have we caused ourselves and others by assuming we knew it all?! :-)

Babies

I love babies. They are just too cute. I can't help but wonder at times what they would be thinking. Things that are so normal for us to do, are totally new to them.

I watch our little 4 month old grand son as he is gazing at his feet, trying to grab them. He is so totally concentrated, he won't look up or down. Those little hands go everywhere except where he wants them to. I would love to get a peek inside that mind of his, just to find out what is going. :-)

Looking at those pictures below, I can only suspect.



Sigh, I am getting a little weary of posing. Can we stop now?








Have you seen yourself in the mirror lately?







I just tickled myself.







Is this why they call us rednecks???







If I could just get to that bottle. I can do it..., I can do it.







Oops, I just made you a present!







Maybe you have some other ideas of what they might have been thinking. Please, share. I like to hear your opinion.

That also gives me a little insight in your mind, haha.

A Degree in Blond V

A blond in her fourth year as a UCLA Freshman, sat in her US Government class. The professor asked her if she knew what Roe vs. Wade was about.

She pondered the question, then finally said:
"That was the decision George Washington had to make before he crossed the Delaware ."

That was an open door. The professor should have seen that coming!

Why is it, that when a child would give the same answer, we consider that to be so cute. But when a grown-up gives it, it is being considered stupid, blond, dense.

Could it be that we look at it as being lack of education? Lack of consideration? Lack of brain-cells? Or could it be, the more education we have, the more knowledge we get, the more our minds are forced in a box?

That sure would explain where the expression: "Think outside the box" comes from!

Rien Poortvliet's Economical Impact

Rien Poortvliet's and Wil Huygen's "Life and Work of the Gnomes", published in 1976, was translated in 21 languages and sold 4 million copies. It was number one for 14 months of the most sold books in 1978 in the US.

At the end of the seventies, it resulted in a true hype and lots of products and other items could be found in the stores. After his death the gnomes took on a life of their own, and were turned into an animated series.

Rien started publishing his own calendar in 1974 and continued to do so every year.

One of Rien's greatest admirers was Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands, which whom Rien also went hunting on several occasions. He introduced Rien to several other European courts, Rien drew Queen Elizabeth II's favorite horses in 1978 and was received at the courts of the kings and queens of Sweden, Luxembourgh, Belgium and also by the French President at that time, V. Giscard d'Estaing.

"Gnomes" was followed by several more books about this little people, all done by Rien Poortvliet in collobaration with Wil Huygen. Each book was another success. Rien was interviewed by newspapers and magazines and became a regular panel member of a popular Dutch tv game show.

On April 28th 1992, Prins Bernhard opened the Rien Poortvliet Museum in the old, historic Town Hall of Middelharnis, The Netherlands, where original paintings, pastels and drawings of his books and calendars were displayed. Due to lack of visitors and financial problems, the Museum had to close it's doors in December 2006.

Isn't She Cute?

It has been a while since I finally got around to my hobby again.

A friend or ours has drawings of all her grand children except this one. To complete her little gallery, she sent me this picture of her little grand daughter with the request to do a drawing of her.

I was more then happy to complete her gallery! Isn't she a cutie?

When our friend e-mailed me this picture, she asked:
"Don't you just want to pinch those little cheeks?"
Yes!!! And in my mind I pinched her little cheekies several times, while putting her on paper. :-)

Right now, I am in the process of another drawing, which has been long overdue. This one is the great grand daughter of my stepmother in law. It is half done and I hope to finish it soon.

Our grand babies are next! :-)