Painting remains a constant in artist's life
Tsawwassen painter Peter Molinaar is showcasing his work at a White Rock gallery this week.
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Pieter Molenaar has owned a Tsawwassen deli, managed a local art gallery, and currently enjoys working in the social atmosphere of retail. He immigrated to Canada from Amsterdam, and has lived in Tsawwassen, Hawaii and Portland before returning to Tsawwassen to stay.
But no matter where he’s lived or what his job, his brushes and oils have been a constant.
Molenaar recalls how he was introduced to painting as a youngster. Around the age of 12 his father, a photographer, took him to an art supplies shop. At home, his father painted for about half an hour, then turned to his son and told him to finish it.
Later in life, owning his own businesses—Hollandia Deli in the late 1980s at the Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall, and later a deli in Richmond—meant little time for painting.
But slowly the passion for art took over. Now, working at the B.C. Liquor Store locations in Tsawwassen and Ladner, he can divide his spare time between trading on the stock market in the early morning hours and painting.
He lives with wife Marlet and two cats, one who likes to sit on his lap as he paints.
Molenaar’s work features landscapes with low horizons and dramatic, expansive skies. Some are familiar scenes, such as a Ladner farm, while others are from photos or fantasy. Every now and then he’ll paint a city scene from Amsterdam as homage to his heritage.
He says he is inspired by classical and impressionist painters as well as “the old Dutch masters.”
And perhaps some are taking inspiration from him. Molenaar proudly pulls a couple drawings down from a wall in his home studio—a race car and a motorcyclist by his five-year-old grandson.
Molenaar’s grand skyscapes and other art can be seen in White Rock this week. An exhibition of about 30 pieces is at the Jenkins Showler Gallery (1539 Johnston Road) until July 11.
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