Dowling Walsh Gallery

Jacobus Baas

Born in the Netherlands in 1945, Jacobus spent his early years in Rotterdam, surrounded by rich landscapes and cloud-laden skies made famous by the Dutch Masters throughout history. Jacobus arrived in the United States in his early teens with an interest in art already indelibly imprinted.

Fascinated with surfing, he spent most of his after school hours in the ocean but never abandoned his passion for art. After graduating, he traveled extensively in Europe and enjoyed all the Old World had to offer, especially the art. The desire to create deepened.

Returning to the United States, Jacobus decided to channel his creativity in a new direction, one that would enable him to use his artistic ability and also provide some financial stability. He began to design and make jewelry. His unique and original works captured a following and contributed to his success as a goldsmith. He opened his business "Jacobus Goldsmiths" in Laguna Beach and is still in the same location since 1975. This afforded him the freedom to pursue his first love, painting. Since 1978, Jacobus has exhibited his paintings along side his jewelry at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach. The paintings were strictly done in the studio, but in 1994 he began painting on location during a trip to Santa Fe. "It was like discovering a new world!" Jacobus exclaimed. On subsequent trips to New Mexico and Hawaii, he produced vibrant color-filled landscapes that inspired him to begin a remarkable series of work that continues to be widely acclaimed and admired.

A founding and current board member of LPAPA (Laguna Plein Air Painters Association), Jacobus divides his time between California, Hawaii and Maine. In addition to many one man shows, he has participated in many group exhibitions in concert with LPAPA's venues, including the Laguna Art Museum. He is currently represented by galleries in California, Hawaii, Washington, Texas and Maine.

Jacobus has found the satisfaction he has been seeking...as a plein air artist. "Painting has become my full time passion, there is no time to make jewelry. The act of applying paint to a canvas has always been intriguing to me. To transform a two dimensional surface and give it a feeling of space with carefully arranged brushstrokes, using the right colors and values is pure magic. Every time I paint on location, with each brushstroke I experience that magic again, and hopefully the viewer will experience it as well in the finished painting."