Creative genius Benjamin Grootswagers

Quite often Den Braven Sealants receives letters or emails from enthusiastic and creative people who think of hobbies where they can use sealants, adhesives or PU foams. For example a couple of years ago someone came up with the idea for stiffening textiles such as jeans by using woodglue, as works of art. Also making sculptures out of PU foam has been quite a popular hobby for some time. However, in our opinion, all of that is nothing compared with the amazing creations of Mr. Benjamin Grootswagers.

Recently we received an email from Mr. Grootswagers in which he asked us to have a look at the photos of his creations on glass. In that email he described how he, by a matter of coincidence, discovered how to make a drawing on glass by using one of our sealants. When looking at the photographs we were amazed and immediately decided to make an appointment for a visit, so we could see him at work in his own studio. This visit followed one week later and we were welcomed with great hospitality by this creative genius.

Benjamin told us all about the wide scale of his creative interests. His whole life he has been interested in just about everything to do with glass, paintings, drawings and restoration work. Looking around in his studio he showed us numerous examples, like a collection of self-preserved animals in a huge showcase, one of Benjamin's hobbies from the past, and a number of his creations and told us all there is to know about making leaded windows and fire-painted glass.

Eventually he took the sealant application gun and demonstrated on a piece of glass, placed in a leaded panel, how he controls the art of "liquid glass". By using a normal application gun and an adjusted injection needle, he applied the slightly modified sealant on to the glass. Bit by bit it started to show the contours of a bird of paradise, later on he used a small brush to finalize the details of this piece of art. While we are admiring this artwork, he invited us to give it a try, this is easier said than done! Nevertheless after a while, we also manage to get some small lines in the right place, as always, it's a matter of practice.

After we left the studio to let the ‘drawing’ dry, we talk further with Benjamin and came to the conclusion that this technique can simply be refined, so that it can be interesting for a great number of DIY hobby enthusiasts. With the proper materials and a good teacher, everybody can do it. Benjamin is now thinking about starting workshops/courses for interested people. Anybody who would like to know more about it should contact Benjamin on: // // benjamin.grootswagers@home.nl