This route is mainly about artistic in the Achterhoek. The ten projects tell the story of the Achterhoek. A big advantage is that it is wonderful to ride a motorcycle in the Achterhoek and that makes this route really fun. 10 locations to take beautiful photos. To start the route well, you start at "Broods", so a delicious cup of coffee with something delicious. What else do you want?

The first location on the route is: "Blending In" - Montferland. This shows the relationship between nature, landscape and business.
"An important starting point for the design of the silos with a total surface area of 600 square meters was the relationship between nature, landscape and the company," explains artist Collin. "In order to arrive at a good design, I requested a lot of information about flora & fauna in this area. The hilly forest area of Montferland near the German border is known for the presence of many partridges and pheasants."
The design, given the amount of birds in the area, incorporating a partridge into the design was only logical, although it was also quite a challenge. Depicting a bird on a silo with a ribbed structure as a surface requires quite a bit of technique. For the sketch at height I often used a grid, but due to the ribbed structure of the silo it was not necessary for this work of art.
The artwork occupies three silos with a budded cornflower on the first silo: a flower that is still growing. The partridge, depicted on the middle silo, has his eyes fixed on the future and secretly also looks to the past: to the old mill. The very popular windmill from 1855 is no longer present in the landscape. The position of the vanes symbolizes the standstill. The brown and gray tones in the artwork refer to the fertile soil and the subtle blue represents sky and water.
I am extremely happy with the final result. In retrospect, adding the partridge to the design was a very good decision, says Collin.

Want to read more about Collin van der Sluijs?
https://siloarttourachterhoek.nl/Collin-van-der-Sluijs
https://www.instagram.com/collinvandersluijs/

Location of this project: Molenweg 9, 7045 AG Azewijn.
The artwork of the Silo Art Tour in Azewijn can be viewed at any time. The silos are clearly visible up close from the Ompertsestraat. You also have a good view of the works of art from the N-road.

The second location on the route is: 't Vriezelerdiekske - Oude IJsselstreek. With the bocage landscape as inspiration. For this work of art, the artist was inspired by the small scale of the Achterhoek bocage landscape. At this place, where roads wind through the landscape, past large trees and around farms, you will always discover a different view. The landscape goes from the edge of the forest to the field and it doesn't even look Dutch anymore," says Paul Wieggers. While walking through the landscape, he discovers the Vriezelerdiekske: an old green path where the light shines in a beautiful way. This light symbolizes what he wants to show with his work: allowing the smallness of the landscape to be large on the wall, because intimacy can also have a major impact.

Want to read more about Paul Wieggers?
https://siloarttourachterhoek.nl/Paul-Wieggers
https://www.paulwieggers.nl/

Location of this project: Kapelweg 9, 7065 AN Sinderen
The artwork of the Silo Art Tour in Sinderen can be viewed at any time.

The third location on the route is: Vier Generaties - Aalten. Luca is depicted on the first silo, the son of co-owner Suzanne Ruesink of the Farm 't Westendorp. Luca represents youth and tells the story of the farm and the Farm and Country Fair. On the second silo is Jelle van Gorkom, one of the best Dutch BMX riders who won silver at the Summer Olympics in Rio (2016). A serious training accident in 2018 put an abrupt end to his top sport career. The doctors feared he would never be able to talk or walk again, but he proved otherwise. Jelle therefore stands for sport and resilience in the Achterhoek: "Even in the face of setbacks, we keep going and don't let our heads hang." The third silo portrays Mrs. Meekes, who visited the Zwarte Cross on her 86th birthday. As she drove down the cross track, she was serenaded by thousands of people. She enjoyed it to the fullest and wrote the organization an extensive letter afterwards. Shortly afterwards she died. Mrs. Meekes is one of the oldest people who has ever driven on the festival track. She left a deep impression on many people from the Achterhoek. Ronnie Degen, festival director of the Zwarte Cross and Mañana Mañana and also tour manager of the band Normaal, shines on the fourth silo. It symbolizes entrepreneurship and is associated with events in the Achterhoek. He too has been immortalized.

Want to read more about RoosArt Paintings?
https://siloarttourachterhoek.nl/Roos-Art
https://www.roosartpaintings.com/

Location of this project: Farm Het Westendorp, Westendorpweg 2 , 7122 JT Aalten.
The artwork of the Silo Art Tour in Aalten can be viewed at any time. For opening hours of the other facilities at Farm 't Westendorp, click on the link below this review.

After these first 3 beautiful pieces of artistic beauties, it's time for coffee, you can do this at the Celtic Coffee House, overlooking the gardens and the surrounding landscape you can enjoy the special coffees that are served with liqueur as standard. After coffee, it continues on this artistic route.

The fourth location on the route is: Modern Still Life - Winterswijk. A still life in the quarry. With his artwork, artist Robin Nas (alias Zenk One) refers to the Achterhoek landscape and to what this landscape produces: food, health, agriculture, a beautiful place for recreation. The intentions of a sustainable and circular Achterhoek are also included in the design. The artwork invites you to keep looking and always discover something new. For example, you look at a globe, but if you look closer you see that this is the globe from the Triassic era. The eagle owl, the quarry, the shipwreck, but also the Villa Mondriaan museum in Winterswijk have acquired their place in the artwork. When asked how this work of art came about, Robin responds: “For local residents, but also for tourists and day-trippers, it is valuable to know the story of this special place. There is so much to tell about this place, I have brought it together in a modern still life,” explains artist Zenk One. “The power of a still life is that it is timeless. It's work that hides more than you think."

Want to read more about Zenk One?
https://siloarttourachterhoek.nl/ZenkOne
https://www.zenkone.nl./

Location of this project: Steengroeve, Steengroeveweg, 7101 PH Winterswijk.
The artwork of the Silo Art Tour in Winterswijk can be viewed remotely at any time. It is not allowed to enter the Sibelco site.

The fifth location on the route is: Creatures of the Forest - East Gelre. Koeientuin Kraanswijk in Groenlo is not just any dairy farm: here the biological needs of the cow are really listened to. "The cow is originally a forest animal, it likes to go into the meadow for a while, but prefers a sheltered environment," explains owner Chris Bomers. The cows are therefore kept in an open barn that blends into the landscape. Artist SMOK was allowed to work at this location to transform several objects into works of art. At this special location, he was the first artist to develop a 'mini' Silo Art Tour. Bart Boudewijns, the face behind SMOK, immediately responded enthusiastically to the question to contribute to this place. In less than three weeks he realized several works of art on the grounds of Koeientuin Kraanswijk. A group of three silos was painted using a technique called anamorphosis. They are painted in such a way that a realistic image can only be seen from two points of view. In other places the images seem somewhat mixed or distorted. The second work is colorful and powerful and does not let go of the viewer. The artwork on the single silo, on the other hand, is calming. This work shows what the cow naturally prefers to do: relax in a wooded area.
“The artworks underline the biological needs of the cow. They prefer to be in a natural and sheltered environment.” - SMOK

In a place that revolves around cows, I think it is natural to also choose to put this animal at the center of my works, SMOK explains. The Cow Garden originated from the idea that you respect cows by leaving them in their natural habitat as much as possible. The floor is soft, so that the cow can lie comfortably on it, and also non-slip and 'compressible'. The latter ensures that the cow can easily get up and walk without slipping.” Besides the fact that I like to make people happy with my 'paintings', I also pursue a social goal. I think it is important to convey the importance and beauty of nature to others. In addition to the painted silos of cows in their natural habitat, one of the objects has a color palette that visitors cannot ignore. “The colors orange and blue used have been deliberately chosen and tell a story. The color orange represents the heat that is generated here: waste products from the cow are converted into biogas here. The color blue represents the cold outside.

Want to read more about SMOK?
https://siloarttourachterhoek.nl/SMOK
https://smok.be/

Location of this project: Koeientuin Kraanswijk, Klaverdijk 3a, 7142 HP Groenlo
The artwork consists of three different works, two of which can be viewed from the public road. The third artwork is exclusively for people who recreate at Koeientuin Kraanswijk. It is also possible to view it by appointment. We ask you not to enter the private property without permission.

You have now seen and possibly visited 5 of the 10 projects. Really don't shine! Quickly move on to the next project.

The sixth location on the route is: Het Bloemenmeisje - Berkelland. GOMAD was updated during a first meeting about the history of Beltrum, the inhabitants and their mentality and the local traditions such as the flower parade and the survival. Creativity flowed and during the 2.5 hour drive from the Achterhoek to Sittard his design already took shape. Despite the inspiration and desire to get started with his design, there was one 'but' for the artist about this location… The place where the artwork is placed is a sheet pile wall: the ridges in the wall ensure that you quickly distortion in the artwork. This allows me to work in less detail than I am used to. On a smooth wall you can put much more detail in the artwork An average visitor will not notice this, but if you compare it with my previous works made on concrete walls, you will see the difference, explains GOMAD. The design was chosen from three different designs, in which the link to the society of Beltrum is most clearly present. The flower, the owl, the cart wheel and the modest and red-haired girl together tell the story. GOMAD explains: “the owl symbolizes knowledge, wisdom and transformation. All properties that suit Beltrum and the surrounding area. The large flower is a Mignon Dahlia that is used for the annual flower parade. The girl is a flower girl and the cart wheel represents classic farm life and the origins of Beltrum. It is the forerunner of the tractor tires, with which the link is made to the heavy work with tractor tires during a survival.”

Want to read more about GOMAD?
https://siloarttourachterhoek.nl/GOMAD
https://marcusgomaddebie.com/

Location of this project: Zieuwentseweg 6, 7156 RK Beltrum
The artwork of the Silo Art Tour in Beltrum can be viewed at any time.

Before you arrive at the sixth location, it is good to have lunch first, because all those artistic beauties will make you hungry. You can have lunch at the Witte Wieven in Zwiep. After lunch on to the next location.

The seventh location on the route is: Verbonden - Lochem. The relationship between man and nature is shown here. For a building that is used as a storage for grain, the link with animals and harvesting is quickly made. Visible is the peasant scene. On the right side of the artwork, the artist has included a reference to Landgoed Verwolde and in the background the story of the Lochemse Hooipickers is played out. On top of the haystack, where two boots also stick out, is a farmer with two shovels in his left hand. The old hay wagon is ready for arriving cows, preparing for the drive through the city gate. And those two create, which refer to doing things together, Miel notes.

Want to read more about TelmoMiel?
https://siloarttourachterhoek.nl/TelmoMiel
https://telmomiel.com/

Location of this project: OOCON , Goorseweg 13, 7241 DB Lochem
The artwork of the Silo Art Tour in Lochem can be viewed at any time.

The eighth location on the route is: De Biotoop - Bronckhorst. In the farmyard there is a free-standing silo in front of the old pigsty and this forms the basis for a new addition to the art route. When creating the design, the artist viewed the world through the eyes of a child: playful and colorful. The result is a happy bunch, including the owners' favorite animal: the peacock. The earth and the carrot in the funnel symbolize crops, growth and circular agriculture, among other things. All parts of the design are contained in a 'glass milk bottle'. The artist has created an optical illusion with this biotope, one that many people have in their homes these days. You fill a glass jar with soil and plants and close it airtight with a cork and it maintains itself. This 'milk bottle' has a similar function: it symbolizes a self-sufficient world.

Want to read more about Dopi?
https://siloarttourachterhoek.nl/dopie
https://www.instagram.com/dopie.dsk/?hl=nl

Location of this project: Recreation and Children's Farm Feltsigt, Bekveldseweg 5, 7255 KG Bekveld
Opening hours: Monday: closed, Tuesday: closed, Wednesday: 13:00 - 18:00, Thursday: 13:00 - 18:00, Friday: 13:00 - 18:00, Saturday: 13:00 - 18:00, Sunday: 13:00 - 18:00.
*Outside of opening hours, the artwork can only be viewed from a distance.

The ninth location on the route is: LIT - Doesburg. The connection between land and water is shown here. The old pumping station in Doesburg stands at an important crossroads for Doesburg and has a lot of significance. It is the place where trade used to be done. Foodstuffs went to land here via water and vice versa. Sidney's design, which consists of a painting of a peregrine falcon and fish, is based on this intersection. The artwork is located exactly where the pumping station connects land and water. “A great place for a piece of art,” Sidney says. Lots of passing cyclists and day trippers who get off and come to watch. No lack of attention for this old building!
The environment and the fish passage, where the fish can swim up, were the basis for the design. “I always look for a healthy balance between my free work and what I am asked to make. There were wishes from both the municipality of Doesburg and Rijkswaterstaat, because the pumping station is an old monument. The underwater and above-water world come together in the artwork. In addition to the fish, a peregrine falcon was chosen: a species that occurs in the Fraterwaard, the river area between Doesburg and Dieren, and is well known among the Doesburgers. The peregrine falcon is also one of my favorite birds, so the choice was made quickly. Incidentally, the fish are not prey for the peregrine falcon: these species live side by side here.”

I have tried to make the work sparkle bombastic. A work that cannot be ignored. I don't use spray cans but work with latex paint, brush and rollers. For this work I used three colors: khaki, black and gold. The use of gold will play with the environment: the incidence of light will be different in the different seasons. Visitors will be able to experience the work differently during the season.

Want to read more about Sidney Waerts?
https://siloarttourachterhoek.nl/Sidney-Waerts
https://sidneywaertsart.bigcartel.com/
Location of this project: Het Doesburge Gemaal, Barend Ubbinkweg near Koppelweg, 6982 AA Doesburg

The artwork of the Silo Art Tour in Doesburg can be viewed at any time. It is clearly visible from the Barend Ubbinkweg and the Koppelweg and accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.

The tenth and last location on the route is: Reizende hond - Doetinchem. From the end of November, a hyper-realistic work of art by the Belgian street art artist Smates can be admired in the city of Doetinchem. The business premises of PPF, the specialist in pet food, are unrecognizable. The artwork has caused a complete transformation. By using realistic colors and depths in the painting, Smates makes a lot of impact with his work. The 'traveling dog' can be seen from a large part of Doetinchem. Bart Smeets, also known by the stage name Smates, is renowned for his talent for photographic drawings. At this location he has made a beautiful connection between the environment and the function of the company. For example, the Achterhoek bocage landscape is part of his design: an area that is excellent for living, experiencing, discovering and recreation.
I don't want to explain too much about my work. I like to give the viewer the space to see their own story. - Bart Smeets -

My work is about discovering the region and going out together. I don't want to add too much explanation here. I like to give the viewer the space to see their own story in this. Interaction between the mural, the wall and the environment is extremely important to me. For example, there is an extra wall in front of the wall to be painted that I have included in the mural. Almost immediately the idea came up to let a dog sit on this wall. With this as a starting point I set to work and the work was in fact created.
I really wanted to design something 'big' and that is not surprising with a 'canvas' of this size. The impact I make with my work is extremely important to me. For example, I want visitors to be able to see the artwork from a great distance and also understand what the message is. The work of art must really 'get in' with the visitor.

Want to read more about Bart Smeets?
https://siloarttourachterhoek.nl/Smates
https://smates.be/

Location of this project: Partner in Petfood, Havenstraat 10, 7005 AG Doetinchem
The artwork of the Silo Art Tour in Doetinchem can be viewed at any time.

At the end of this route you can eat a hamburger or just have a cup of coffee.