Torchbearer of creativity, artchemist, boundary-breaker
You signed up for my newsletter at some point. Or bought something from me or The Art Beat Club. Either way: I'm glad you're reading.
Marenthe 2.0 is back. Don't ask about 1.0. Long story. Hahahaha.
Hi Reader,
I'm in Rome.
This morning I was striding through the Vatican at half past seven like an elegant Female Pope. And don't laugh, because Pope Joan was real. In 855, she supposedly held the papal office as Pope John. The story goes that as a teenager she disguised herself as a man and fled with her lover to Athens to study. Then she moved to Rome. The cardinals admired her for her wisdom, and she was elected pope. No one knew she was a woman until she gave birth during a procession. She died on the spot.
Anyway.
After 3.5 hours I stumbled out, dizzy from the sheer overload of art treasures. Here's a picture:
One of the many ceilings in the Vatican.
And, eat your heart out, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica were also on the program. Conclusion: Michelangelo is, without question, one of the greatest geniuses who ever lived. (He painted Adam and Eve with belly buttons, by the way. A rather curious detail.)
Last week I roamed Rome, drank a lot of coffee, ate a hundred ice creams at Venchi, and attended an intensive Human Design Immersion near the Vatican.
And yes, now I obviously have to create a course about La Dolce Roma.
I'm brewing. It'll happen.
Before that I was in London, where I visited the Elsa Schiaparelli exhibition (V&A) and Tracey Emin (TATE). I travel a lot, but that was always the goal: combining travel and creativity. Living the artistic life. I wish it for everyone.
→ I have my own column
I've always loved writing, but now it's official.
Two weeks ago my first column appeared in Happinez Magazine. That's right. From now on, every month in Happinez. Soulnotes by Marenthe. In Dutch only, sorry:)
Photographed at Tate London.
→ New course: The Traveling Sketchbook Series, Barcelona. Starts: Friday, May 15.
It's going to be a celebration. ✦ Want to join me? Click here.
→ I paint women
Mentioned this before. Oil on large panels (50 x 60 cm). Ambitious, I know. When I do something, I do it properly. I've finished 3.5 of them so far.
(Number 3 still deserves a little extra attention.)
→ And sign up for Art Journal Hero. It's free and packed with inspiration. ✦ Sign up here.
I wish you everything, but especially joy and creativity,
Love, Marenthe
PS: Want to know more about my Human Design experiences? Follow me on Instagram and/or sign up for my Human Design newsletter.
Marenthe
Makes things. Illustrator, designer, mentor, idea machine, writer, rebel with a sketchbook, Human Design analyst. Addicted to art journaling, in love with big dreams and striking details. Travels. Writes. Paints. Named by Phaidon Press (USA) as one of the 100 most visionary designers in the world. Currently working on a book.
Je hebt je ooit aangemeld voor mijn nieuwsbrief. Of iets bij mij of The Art Beat Club gekocht. Hoe dan ook: ik vind het tof dat je mijn brieven leest. Marenthe 2.0 is terug. Vraag niet naar 1.0. Lang verhaal. Whahaha. Hi Reader, Ik ben in Rome. Vandaag schrijdde ik al om half 8 door het Vaticaan als een elegante Pausin. En ga nou niet lachen want Pausin Johanna bestond echt. In 855 zou zij als paus Johannes het pausambt hebben bekleed. Het verhaal gaat dat zij zich in haar puberteit vermomde...
