Welcome to Cremers! A Coffeeshop and Grand Café in Den Haag.

This painting depicts Cremers during the years just after the turn of the millenium. The woody interior is stuffed with familiar faces and of course its stoic cigar store indian.

The large table hosts a group of friends engaged in a role playing effort enjoying drinks and smoke. Several regulars are bellied up to the bar while a Cremers' cutie takes a long pull from a well rolled spliff in the foreground.

Cremers is a long lived institution in Den Haag for those who love a good smoke while having a drink. Its large comfortable interior routinely hosts specialty events including their themed movie nights and a popular (legendary) happy hour on Fridays.

When trying to capture a scene like this any artist must accept falling short, yet after all,  I feel there is enough here to trigger a smile.

(Watercolor 50cm x 65cm) 

Has this couple found their Octopus's garden? The green glazed walls and unique lighting have come into full effect during the late afternoon at the Greenhouse coffeeshop in Amsterdam. It gives the impression that one might be in Ringo's hide away beneath the waves. 

Located in the heart of Amsterdam's center the Greenhouse has upheld its reputation as one of the most famous and well stocked coffeeshops in the city. Although busy at times, customers routinely offer praise for the smoke and seeds available at their locations.

While this couple has their own discussion taking place, I have saved a seat for you in the picture. Would you ask your friends, if they'd like to see, an octopus's garden –with me.

(oil on canvas 25cm x 35cm)

Amsterdam isn't the only city in the Netherlands with coffeeshops. This painting represents the Midnight Express coffeeshop, when it occupied a sun lit corner in the Dutch city of Den Haag (the Hague). Even during its operation it had a nostalgic look. The weathered exterior and faded coloration made suitable companions for the already old, red colored "Heineken bier" sign above the entrance.

 The name "Midnight Express" is burned into the consciousness of anyone who remembers the eponymous 1978 movie. The film essentially highlighted the perils of hashish smuggling. The notoriety achieved by this movie did more to prevent thoughts of drug smuggling than any government campaign could ever hope to. Still, if there was any question about the activities within this coffeeshop, the owner's choice of the name "Midnight Express" seemed to be saying "leave the smuggling to us!".  Inside the establishment the hash menu was typical of many local coffeeshops – limited but consistent.

In a scene from its heyday, a bicycle leans on a pole waiting for its owner, presumably inside, while near horizontal sunlight creates late afternoon shadows across the blanched pavement. A lone figure walks past the coffeeshop momentarily glancing at the colorful shop window. And just as the the yellow train logo implies – the Midnight Express stops here to board passengers, but that was a long time ago.


(oil on canvas 40cm x 80cm)