Sleep Series No.12
Barbara Gevaerts
A conversation with dutch artist Barbara Gevaerts, on painting motherhood in all its forms, finding stillness inside a busy city, and why a calm mind matters more than a full night's sleep.
What do you do?
I’m an independent artist, I draw and paint. I have a University degree in Psychology and worked in marketing. When my children were little I developed a Dutch magazine for kids, Lieve. That turned out to be the starting point for my creative journey. After the magazine, I created two English Posters, a selection of watercolour art prints and these days I paint more on the canvas, both smaller and larger. My favourite subject is motherhood, in all its aspects and the things that create happy moments for us. I love it when a customer tells me it gives them a good feeling, a reminder of a happy time to see a work they bought from me.
What does a typical day look like for you?
We wake up early and have breakfast as a family. Our daughter recently moved out because she is studying in a different city. That’s a huge change. For us as a family, but also for me as her mom. After my husband goes to work and my son to school, I start my day. I love to paint in the morning, with a clear head. Two or three days a week I start with a run in the park with a good friend, the other mornings I go to paint directly. All the other work and tasks I prefer to do in the late afternoon or early evening. I’m very keen on that time, so I hardly plan a coffee date and I have a quick lunch, on my own.
At the end of the day we have dinner, sometimes it’s only us because our son is doing sports. I usually cook during the week, when I’m up for it I make something special, but when busy with other things, it can be a simple pasta dish. During dinner we listen to music, that can be quit loud for about half an hour, the kids put different music on than us of course, but it’s a way to unwind.
I like to slow down in the evening and love to walk in the neighbourhood, I then watch some tv and read before falling asleep. I love to read.
You're based in Amsterdam — how does that shape the rhythm of your days?
Amsterdam can be very crowded as you might know. You need to ‘be careful’ and intentional where you want your energy to go… I made the mistake - very often - to run errands in the busy shopping areas, during the day, and when home, think I could create, but it’s not working. My head needs to be in a more empty state. So I avoid the commercial shops and places but when I need to have something, I go at the end of the day. Our house is very quiet so I don’t notice the city really. I love the city and its a great source of inspiration too. It’s both. It’s a forever dilemma. We thought about moving when the kids were little, but I’m glad we didn’t.
What drew you to become an artist?
Ever since I can remember I painted and drew and made little stories and books. So it was a natural step to take. My mother is a sculptor, I grew up with her working from home on a new object. I always found it ‘normal’ that she could make these beautiful things and now I’m older I see what a gift that was. And not ‘normal’ at all. My mom is 86 and still being very creative. I never really thought about what it would hold for me. I know that I love it, when it touches people. I hear people are drawn to the softness and I absolutely love that. It might be a a way of communicating something inside me.
How do you manage to switch off from work?
When I’m not satisfied with my painting, that can be frustrating, I can’t stop looking for improvements and I want to start right away. I would help than to close the door, but in our house there are only a few doors, and this one doesn’t close.
How do you find time to balance work and inspire creativity for projects?
When working I will be inspired for the next project too. Working makes me creative. Also, going out - a walk in nature is a great way to let the inspiration flow. Listening to music. For me, as goes for many of us, is the trick to get to work, not postpone. Overthinking things, or rushing from an idea to a ‘perfect’ outcome in your head doesn't improve my creativity. I’ve made that mistake and I’ve learned and I’m still learning to give my self the space to experiment and create - even though I’m not pleased with some outcomes. There’s no growth for me without experimenting and thus making ‘failures’ too.
Does the rhythm of studio work affect how you wind down at night?
I think so, although I would say more the rhythm of the seasons. In my workspace it can be beautiful light in the evening during spring and summer and than I also like to finish a painting after dinner, in the soft evening light. But in the winter season, when it’s dark in the early afternoon, I stop earlier of course, and both is good but I always make sure I wind down at night.
What does your evening ritual look like — how do you transition from the energy of the day into something quieter?
I love to go for a walk after dinner. We thought about getting a dog for a while, but it probably wasn’t meant to be, although I’m among all the dog owners during my walks. Sometimes I listed to a podcast or music, or just nothing. Sometimes one of my kids join me, or my husband and I go together. We just chat, or be quiet together - it's a great way to leave the day behind. I drink tea in the evening, watch some tv and/or read. I always clean my face before bed, a have a quick routine, I almost never miss that. I think it makes me unconsciously ready for bed.
What does rest mean to you beyond just sleep?
Rest for me is a calm mind. Being at ease. Knowing some things are out of your reach to fix, being okay with that. Rest means feeling space to feel inspired, the opposite of overwhelmed I think. A good sleep helps to feel like that of course, with less sleep, everything feels harder.
How do you curate a calm, relaxing environment for sleep and also in the home generally?
Not having too much stuff lying around everywhere. Being surrounded by things we really like. To avoid the home being a place to store things. I’m not very good at having the house clean all the time, but - even for me - there comes a point when its' enough and I go around and make it less messy. I light candles at night, having soft lights in the house, closing the curtains. In autumn and winter we love to light the fireplace. Just overall getting comfortable.
Are you someone who lives surrounded by your own work, or do you prefer to keep some distance?
Yes I definitely like to keep some distance. We are surrounded by our kids artwork, sculptures and paintings made by my mother and other paintings and posters of course, and sometimes I hang something I’ve made, but I limit that to my workplace.
Which of your paintings or drawings brings you the most joy?
Everything I paint and am happy with the result. Honestly otherwise I couldn’t make it.
What does a perfect weekend morning look like to you?
Sleeping in a bit, then my husband is heading out to the bakery in the morning and when he comes back we have breakfast together. Reading the papers, drinking our coffee, just having all the time in the world…I love that.
Is there a season, or a particular period in your life, that has taught you the most about slowing down?
Yes, absolutely in winter. It can be long and rainy and grey, and you really need to look for the cosiness and light in a different way, more inside. By lighting candles, cooking wintery things, just surrender yourself to that.
Is there a particular time of day or time of year that you enjoy most in Amsterdam?
Both the mornings and the evenings are the best, most quiet. This summer, like every year, when holiday has started but we are still in Amsterdam, there’s this week or two when it’s more quiet than usual and I love that.
What's the one thing that genuinely helps you sleep that you'd recommend to anyone?
Getting enough exercise. I always sleep more soundly and overall better, the more I exercise. This summer I went swimming a few days a week, and it was the best. I need to keep that going in an indoor swimming pool perhaps.
How does what you wear to bed factor into how you rest?
I love nice and soft sleepwear, not too warm but definitely not chilly. Breathable material. It gives a great feeling even to put it on at night. I have learned to indulge in that. It’s very important and you’ll enjoy it for years.
Your favourite HONNA style?
I adore the whole set, I love how it hugs your whole body, it feels both light and very sheltered/ warm. The cotton even makes a nice crispy sound. Needless to say, I love the blue colour.
Discover Barbara Gevaerts and follow her on Instagram here.
Barbara wears the Relaxed pyjama set in Cornflower.
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Images shot by Barbara. Images and text cannot be used or shared without her permission.