Dutch speed skater Eldering shares insights into his passion for painting and collecting unique objects from nature in his home in Calgary.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch skating news outlet, recently featured an interview with Eldering about his artistic pursuits outside of his skating career.
Eldering showed a photo on his phone of a self-made painting depicting a pheasant set against a background inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night”. Although he modestly remarks that his skills may not match Van Gogh’s, he included the bird because of his fondness for birds. He also shared an image of a painted peacock on a canvas he picked up from the street and decorated with a subtle New York skyline in the background. This painting now hangs in his home.
To explore his creativity, Eldering does not rely solely on traditional materials like canvas and frames. Living in Calgary, he often walks along the Bow River near his residence. After floodwaters recede, he collects found objects such as pieces of wood that have floated downriver. These he transforms into painted artworks, using crayon to depict landscapes or other scenes inspired by his surroundings. He also collects and cleans bird skulls, painting them as well. He mentioned having a horses’ head skull buried in his garden currently, allowing natural processes to help clean it before he paints it.
Scrolling through his phone, Eldering described other colorful objects including a bull skull, a sheep carcass, and a waxwing bird head he painted after seeing the bird in his garden. He describes himself humorously as a “painter-beachcomber,” reflecting on his youth spent exploring forests and fishing in Friesland, the Netherlands.
Regarding his artistic ambitions, Eldering compared himself to Van Gogh and acknowledged the legendary artist’s struggle with uncertainty. While he said he could relate to those feelings, Eldering emphasized that skating is a unique experience because it involves collaboration with others, whereas painting is a solitary activity. He finds personal fulfillment in his art but does not seek public recognition or commercial success from it. He enjoys keeping it as a private hobby.
Eldering recounted an occasion when a journalist visiting his home was impressed by the artistic atmosphere created by his collection of painted skeletons and other objects, suggesting he apply for grants to improve his home. Although Eldering appreciates the suggestion, he admitted he is not familiar with how to navigate funding opportunities and prefers to avoid bureaucratic complications.
