The golden hour at Skútustaðir

The golden hour is, in photography terms, the period before sunset or after sunrise. The sun is low in the sky, casting long shadows and setting everything in a magical, reddish light. Usually the golden hour is much shorter than sixty minutes, but the closer to the Arctic Circle, the longer it lasts. The sun really takes its time to disappear behind the horizon.

The golden hour we experienced one evening in April 2022 at Lake Myvatn in northern Iceland was perhaps the most beautiful I have ever seen. There were still quite a few clouds that were beautifully lit by the sun, which found a hole in the clouds just in the right place to shine through. It made the capricious volcanic landscape of Myvatn, with mountains, crater, islands and peninsulas, even more otherworldly.

This digital painting is based on a photograph from that evening, taken on the southern shore of the lake, near the pseudocraters of Skútustaðir. The two people, in the lower right of the image, give scale to the alien landscape.

This artwork is offered by Frans Blok - photos, art and other wall decoration

My work can be found in the border regions of photography, painting and computer visuals. With my company 3Develop I do work in commission but I use the same techniques, skills and software to make free work.

World maps and reliefs made from unique materials, vintage postcards, and futuristic space art, graphic interpretations and painterly edits, artist impressions, and abstract geometric art. But also more "traditional" photography of cities and landscapes, plants, and textures.

Originally trained as an architect and living in Rotterdam, I draw significant inspiration from the architecture and history of Roffa/Rotjeknor/Bokitodonk. Additionally, travels to places like Iceland and Great Britain, as well as walks in the Netherlands, provide ample material for my work.

All the pieces in my webshop are carefully selected for their suitability as wall art. The possibilities with the professionals at Werk aan de Muur are nearly endless: from canvas and photo prints to aluminum and acrylic glass. Square or round, framed or unframed. From an A4-sized print to wall-covering wallpaper. The perfect wall art for your living room, kitchen, bedroom, or even balcony and garden!

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