Dirk's influences are:
- the chiaroscuro and moods of Rembrandt
- the light and compositions of Vermeer
- the teachings of David Leffel and Richard Schmidt
- the sensual style and compositions of John Singer Sargent.
Local artists Gene Prokop, Loraine Ure and Ann Waeland have given Dirk Hiel unlimited and very valuable assistance. His father's uncle, Alexander (1872-1921) was a Dutch Impressionist (Laren School). Through his maternal grandmother Dirk is distantly related to another Dutch painter.
Paintings Descriptions:
Gus with Magnum: Gus is an Italian friend who wanted to be painted tasting wine, with a four-litre magnum next to him. He liked colouring and lighting of my work. The overall concept is 'chiaroscuro' from right to left. This shows Gus in a nice light, enjoying the scent coming from his large glass of wine, a beautiful very old Barolo. I highlighted the wedding ring to underline his strong Italian belief in the importance of the family.
Comments: 'The entire family was touched by your portrait. We thought that you captured Dad's spirit and his passion for life with extraordinary precision. I believe the painting will be in our family for many generations. Many thanks for touching our lives in a very positive way.'
Joséphine, One with her Cello: This portrait shows my cellist friend Josephine, a beautifully intense woman. She is 'one with her cello', suggested by using the same colours for the cello and her skin, red, orange and brown. I used a dark blue rather than mahogany/brown to indicate the shadows on the right side of the cello, so they would merge with her new black dress.
A comment on Joséphine: 'I am absolutely in awe of your work. We were thinking that it would be a wee little painting . . . I don't know much about portraits, but my amateur eye is blown away.'
Two Toddlers (my nieces): small mono-chromatic paintings are a great way to make mothers and grandmothers very happy (and teary). A small photo is all that's needed. I suggest one painting per person so there won't be a fight later over who gets the painting. A second advantage is the possibility of copies, easy to do at 14 x 11 inches. Don't be surprised if there are requests for many copies! I intend to do some thirty mono-chromatic commissioned portraits per year.
Woman by Window is an early painting I didn't want to sell for a long time. Inspired by Vermeer's compositions, I sat the model by a window in my dining room. I asked her to look at me with the expression of someone who is sad, wondering. It was pure pleasure to paint the light playing with her negligée. It's time to sell this work although I will do a series of four or five paintings of this model.
Comments: 'Dirk, I must say that among the works you have sent me, this portrait is remarkable. I love it!'
Anna's First Time Posing is just that. I painted the background in an old dark brown with some black and grey. I added a painting in the background using Van Gogh's earliest palette. The result should be a tasteful 'old painting'. A female friend my age (60) said: 'That's how I looked when I was 25! Can you put my face on that painting?'
With Evening Reflection I hoped to create mood of serenity in the fading daylight. I expect to suggest a warm and soft 'female moment of reflection' with calm and serenity, rare in my world. We watch her but she doesn't look at us. The model is my Israeli muse: Hagar is an Israeli art student who provided me with material for a dozen paintings. I have done four so far. More perhaps in 2008.
Comments from an old friend: 'Dirk, you are getting much more sophisticated and nuanced in your renderings -- perhaps even spiritual. I very much enjoy this work.'
Hagar with Pearl Earring is inspired by Vermeer's famous portrait. A somewhat coy but cautious look from a plain but beautiful young woman was what I wanted to achieve. The late afternoon shone on Hagar through the window she faced diagonally. A second window supplied softer background light. The pearl had to enhance an already beautiful face, and provide a contrast with her plain nature. When I suggested this pose, Hagar quickly wrapped her scarf around her head. Almost instantly she came up with the look I had asked for.
Comments: Hagar With Pearl Earring is a remarkable painting. There is a beautiful innocence about this painting. Eyes, without negative life experience, the Mona Lisa smile, framed by her chin and the arch in the scarf. This is a truly magnificent painting. This one is my favourite so far.
Hagar with Jar is the first portrait I did in a series of four. She approached the jar with caution, which I hoped to catch in the painting. I painted her as I thought she would be ten years from now, more mature if not sophisticated than today's 22 years. This painting has stirred the emotions of many: hairs on end, tears, emotions, infatuation and irritation!
I have done a series of four Hagars, of which three are shown here.
Giclées (archival quality prints) are available for all my paintings in the same size as the original; other sizes may be arranged. You can contact me by phone at (780) 455 0155.
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