Brings art closer
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Brings art closer
LARTA.NL
Brengt kunst dichterbij
LARTA.NL
When you contact the Passionate Artist to become a member, we ask you to write a piece, submit photos, etc. The Passionate Artist posts the work himself. You can send an email at any time of the month to adjust your advertisement, add events, etc.
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When you contact the Passionate Artist to become a member, we ask you to write a piece, submit photos, etc. The Passionate Artist posts the work himself. You can send an email at any time of the month to adjust your advertisement, add events, etc.
We will adjust this for you as soon as possible, ideally the same day.
INTERVIEWS
What moves an artist?
What is art for artists?
How did they begin?
What tips would they like to share?
Eelco Sijtsma
May 2022, Utrecht.
Writer and Photographer.
Introduce yourself to our LARTA reader. Who are you, Eelco?
I’m Eelco. I was born in Friesland, but I can't ice skate. I’ve been living in Utrecht for quite some time now, where I share an apartment with my lovely girlfriend and creative partner.
I work as a chemical analyst in food safety, and in my free time, I try to be as creative as possible. I mainly write short stories, and for the past few years, I’ve also been active in photography.
Photography came to life for me when I bought an analog camera about 8 years ago. I love the mechanics, the precision, and the chemistry that happens when light hits the light-sensitive film, creating something unique each time. The process itself is art. However, two years ago, I switched to digital photography because it offers more room for experimentation. I work with Fujifilm, as their cameras capture the analog feel quite well.
About 12 years ago, I started writing short stories. At first, you write what you know and copy your idols, but eventually, you begin to develop your own style, allowing you to articulate your thoughts more concretely. That’s what you’re ultimately working towards. I love short stories, especially because my available time is limited. But at the same time, short stories can be limiting: you don’t have much space to elaborate. That’s why I’ve also started working on writing a book. The first pages are written on a typewriter: a 1959 Olympia SM4. That brings me to another important hobby of mine: I collect typewriters.
Eelco's typewriters.
How nice. So you're a real typewriter collector. What makes them so special to you?
I currently have about 30 of them. Typewriters are similar to analog cameras in that regard. The technology is so precise, ingenious, and they don’t break easily. It’s different from digital technology. What you write is immediately transferred to the physical world. You have your hard copy right away.
People forget that for decades, the typewriter was the face of many offices, living rooms, pharmacies - you name it. It was the precursor to the computer as we know it today. That’s what makes owning typewriters so special. You have an important piece of history in your home. Additionally, just like with pens, each one writes differently. Over time, you can pick a favorite that you’ll ultimately use to write your masterpiece.
On top of that, it gives me a lot of inspiration to hear the stories behind the machines from their owners. One comes from an abandoned station building that was bought by a man and converted into a house - another owner tells how his father used the typewriter for all their correspondence and taught himself to type on it. In the end, almost everyone is happy that their typewriter didn’t end up in the trash and instead found an owner who appreciates its value - you can really sense how many vivid memories it brings back for people.
״People forget that for decades, the typewriter was the face of many offices, living rooms, pharmacies - you name it. The precursor to the computer as we know it today. That’s what makes having typewriters so special. You have an important piece of history in your home. ״
- Eelco Sijtsma
That's really nice. Do you also write on your typewriter yourself?
That's right, I always write the drafts on my typewriter. For my work, I use my computer a lot, and I find it refreshing to disconnect from the screen for a bit. No harsh light, no internet, just the keys and a fresh ink ribbon that hammers the letters into the paper at every moment.
However, I can’t avoid the fact that, once I have enough, I combine everything and digitize it. This makes merging and making adjustments easier. So, I can say I try to combine the best of both worlds.
Photo reportage by Eelco: the typewriter collectors and repairers.
How did your passion start?
I met a good friend of mine around the age of 20, who was active and still is in the theater world. He had read some of my blog posts on Hyves and asked if I’d like to perform an excerpt from his work at the book launch of his debut collection. He offers a stage to many young artists, and that’s how he introduced me to the wonderful world of writing. I’m very grateful to him for that: he knew before I did that I would come to love writing. Once I found my voice and knew what I wanted to write about, I participated in WriteNow! In 2009, I received an honorable mention, and the following year, I won the Friesland regional round. I wasn’t exactly brimming with self-confidence: I didn’t even invite anyone to the award ceremony. I didn’t think I’d win. In the end, I made it to the finals. Through the people I met there, the workshops, and the recognition I received, the spark was lit. It all started to feel more real. Recognition is, even though you ultimately do it for yourself, still nice. You can be extremely critical of yourself. I especially struggled with the question: “When can I call myself a writer?” And for whom was I writing? What was my message? Ironically, it was right after WriteNow! that I struggled with these questions, which led to a long period of difficulty in shaping my writing.
Yes, have you ever experienced writer's block?
Yes, my writing has many gaps where not a single word was put on paper. I think a lot of artists run into this at some point. For whom and why are you even doing this? It’s hard to write when you’re overwhelmed with inspiration. Inspiration is such an elusive thing. Additionally, art can’t be measured quantitatively, whereas I do this in my work. Art doesn’t have clear boundaries, and it’s different for everyone. That’s what’s so beautiful about it.
A turning point came when, in the last year of my studies, I took a minor in cultural philosophy and aesthetics. A fantastic decision. I finished the minor with a "master’s thesis," a project that you could fill in however you wanted, as long as there was research behind it.
I decided to tackle my writer’s block. I read all of Van Gogh’s diaries and ended up writing 3 chapters about them from Van Gogh's perspective. It was wonderful to be able to "force" myself to write. It was refreshing to step outside the boundaries of my own reference frame. I got to know Van Gogh in a very intimate way, which made writing about him easier. I think you should mainly write about what you know: be honest. With writing, you can’t bluff, the reader notices that quickly enough.
Eelco's workspace.
What would you recommend to writers experiencing writer's block?
Personally, I found a lot of value in the book 'Stephen King on Writing'. Although I'm not a fan of his work, I’m definitely a fan of the way he writes about... writing! King doesn’t necessarily give you tangible tips or exercises for writing, but he speaks to you on a deeper level, about your responsibility as a writer. You already know how to write. You feel that you are a writer. You know it, you feel it. You just need to keep moving forward and also re-acknowledge your own boundaries. The most important lesson I’ve learned is what I just mentioned: write about what is close to you, about what you know. In my opinion, the best books are written by authors who have done this. Only in that way can you shape the experience as completely as possible in words, allowing the reader to be immersed in the universe you create.
What can we expect from you in the near future, Eelco?
I started my first novel during the COVID crisis. I have a few ideas, but I’m still not sure which one will work, though I’ll figure that out as I go along. I’m not setting any deadlines for myself. Writing a lot, that’s what matters.
Additionally, after a pause during the pandemic, I’ve resumed working on a photo documentary about the typewriter. The theme is the typewriter in modern times. Although the device has faded into obscurity, I’ve met several people who have somehow integrated the machine into their lives. This includes collectors, writers, poets, but also a retired typewriter repairman who has a typewriter museum on the top floor of a barn. Against the elements of nature, he’s trying to prevent this piece of history from dying out. Once this project is finished, I plan to have the photos compiled into a book. I may combine the photos with text, but I’m still undecided about that.
Eelco's workspace.
What do you look for in literature? Which authors do you like best?
When I started with the Dutch reading list in high school, I read a lot of Grunberg. His writing style really appealed to me at that time. Grunberg can write beautifully and descriptively. Over time, however, I branched out to W.F. Hermans, but also foreign literature. Murakami has written beautiful books, and right now I’m reading Johan Harstad. I really enjoyed Buzz Aldrin, Where Are You Now? and I’m currently reading the massive book Max, Mischa and the Tet Offensive. One of my favorite books is The Stranger by Albert Camus.
״My writing has many gaps, during which not a single word was put on paper. After WriteNow!, I struggled with the question: how should I view myself? I find this difficult. I think many artists wrestle with this: how do you present yourself? As a 'writer'? . ״
- Eelco Sijtsma
What advice would you give to beginner writers?
Write.
Always carry a notebook and pen with you. Try to discover where your strengths lie and keep reading a lot so you can recognize what works and what doesn’t in a book, and discover what sparks your interest. It also helps me to sometimes step away from a work I’ve been working on for a long time—to forget about it for a while. It’s refreshing to rediscover it after some time, almost as if you’re reading it for the first time.
Write genuinely, honestly, and above all: keep reading to remind yourself why you want this so much. If all goes well, you’ll know deep down that you are a writer, and you don’t have to justify that to anyone.
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