Real name of the artist who signs his pictures "Herkelman" is in fact
Scholte, Leonardus A.J., born 11-04-45 in Schiedam.
He spent his early years in Old Schiedam and in the old centre of Vlaardingen,
but since many years has lived and worked in peaceful Gaasterland in Friesland,
amongst the mediaeval small towns of Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward, etc.

Even as a young boy of 13 he regularly took off in the canoe he built himself,
through the streams and waterways, across the polders, ready with sketchbook
and paint, so that on the way he could create colourful paintings of the landscapes,
water, skies and old farms.
Most of the time the work would be sold straight away to bystanders or local people in mainly
"Kethel and Overschie". He used the proceeds to buy more paper, paint and brushes.

At around the age of 14 he discovered the qualities of oilpaint and soon after,
his small landscapes became available from the shops.

In 1962 he was accepted in the "Academy of Fine Art"
(Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten) in Rotterdam, where he mastered the drawing and painting
of still life and life models.

In 1983 he was chosen as best Dutch painter by Herman Krikhaar,
Mr Hesterman (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam), as well as Carel Willink (all well respected people
in the Dutch art world). The subject matter of Herkelman's work is always typically Dutch.
His early love for these subjects still endures, the waterways with the willows,
winter-landscapes with the ice-skaters, the food and drink kiosks,
with a windmill or little church in the distance.

According to the gallery-owners, who sell his work,
it is not only the romantic style that attracts the art connoisseurs and art lovers,
but also the exceptional quality and the craftsmanship in the best Dutch tradition
and for this reason his work is very popular at home and abroad.