Our bike tour to Zaanse Schans should bring us another highlight, because we went to a small café in the district of Oud Zaandijk that advertised their homemade ice cream. In general, after only a few meters in the village, we were very enthusiastic about the design and the architecture of the houses, so we decided to extend our tour.

So we first came to a narrow alley on the right, which led directly to the Zaan Canal and a small jetty. We were a bit surprised; we hadn't expected it here and it is probably only known to the locals as the crossing to Zaanse Schans. However, we wanted to stay in Oud Zaandijk and therefore turned back.

Jarl Cotterink and his fantastic animal figures

A fairly dark, grey-looking and initially uninviting hall caught our attention, especially since the door was open. Lo and behold, it turned out to be the workshop of some artists who were working on their work.

First, we entered a workshop that dealt with the production of all kinds of clay figures, vessels and their glazes, here mainly pot-bellied vases, as we initially thought. Visually interesting and the choice of colour also suited our taste, we quickly got into conversation with the artist, here mainly because of her "vases with lids".

The explanation on their part was then correspondingly simple and clear: urns for the ashes of the deceased.

Animal figures and clay works in the Kreatief Pakhuis workshop

In addition, in a variety of shapes and colours, each unique, so that there is certainly something for every taste. We were fascinated just by the thought of the memory of a loved one in a specially created vessel that the deceased can even choose for themselves while they are alive, according to one of the artist's comments.

Right next door, the fascination should be deepened, because we met Jarl Cotterink, who makes all kinds of animal motifs from old fabrics and then paints them accordingly. First of all, only the idea of ​​further use is interesting here, but that the subsequent conversation should then bring up further details that you don’t get at the mere sight:

Jarl manufactures his works of art according to the wishes of his customers with regard to the animals, which should at least partially meet the character of the later owner.

Ideas are born in the Kreatief Pakhuis

 For this he uses, among other things, the customer’s discarded clothes such as worn jeans or T-shirts, which even remain visible after the respective animal character has been completed.

So if you want to have your old jeans hanging in the living room as the base material for an animal/character, Jarl is the place for you.

It all started with the birth of his son Joris in 2002. A successful operation on the newborn son Joris prompted Jarl to make a first African elephant over the cot... This elephant should give him a little more self-confidence and strength after this "false start". .

It worked out well for Joris and making the elephant was the first step of a new passion!

Jarl then gave up his permanent job in human resources management, but continues to work passionately as a coach and mentor, and at his workplace in the Kreatief Pakhuis, ideas and thoughts about new artistic perspectives arise in order to make progress in his art.

This is how numerous figures from the animal world came about, not least because of his fascination with nature and the animal world and his interest in human behaviour.

“A series of commissions and sales to architect/designer Piet Boon gave me the confidence to further develop my 'Beasts of Character' creation.

Jarl Cottering as Running Coach for Natural Running:

More and more of my animals are conquering the world from my studio in the Kreatief Pakhuis in Zaandijk.

My studio is open to visitors at all times and it is wonderful to talk to interested parties about an individual animal object.

Recreating each other's story in an animal gives it extra meaning!

Also, the processing of a piece of clothing of a deceased person / partner in an animal object of my hand is a possibility.

That creates a nice lasting memory,” says Jarl.

The study of the animal world also opened my eyes to the natural movement sequences.

As a running coach, this has given me valuable insights.

In the meantime, I have also integrated the art of running according to the principles of "natural running" into my training with the aim of enabling people to enjoy running for a long time and without injury.

Wenn Sie, liebe Leser, an den Kunstwerken Jarl Cotterings oder an seiner Laufmethodik interessiert sind, können Sie ihn gerne kontaktieren:

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Please read as well:

To the windmills of Zaanse Schans - by e-bike, of course

De 1800 Roeden – a cultural park worth seeing in Amsterdam