At 60+ years old, Dutch watercolor artist Gert Pruik balances his professional life as a Building Management Advisor for a local municipality with his deep passion for painting. Residing in the Netherlands with his wife and their two daughters, Gert recently became a grandfather, welcoming a beautiful grandson this past summer. Though watercolor painting remains a hobby for now, it’s one that brings him immense joy and fulfillment—a pursuit he might soon explore on a more commercial level.

Each week, Gert completes a new watercolor painting, drawing inspiration from photographs that capture his imagination through their play of light. His subjects are varied, with scenes ranging from serene landscapes to intimate still lifes, each chosen for its unique light and mood. “An hour is nothing,” he reflects, explaining how time slips away as he paints. The process transports him to another world, one where daily pressures fade into the background. On average, he dedicates around five hours to each piece, capturing moments that reveal the tranquil beauty he perceives in the world.

While Gert’s professional expertise in building management has given him a strong sense of structure, watercolor provides him with freedom and a creative outlet distinct from his day-to-day work. Through each brushstroke, he aims to capture not just a scene, but the elusive light within it—a fleeting quality that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. The accompanying images in this issue showcase this diversity of subjects and his dedication to conveying light in all its forms.

Looking to the future, Gert is excited to share his work with a broader audience, hoping his paintings bring the same sense of peace and wonder to others as they bring to him.