🐓 de haan — "the rooster" in Dutch
Heidi and Kim’s father painted, drew, and photographed through the 1970s and early 1980s — these are some of his works.
The illustrations used throughout this site are inspired by them.
Rene was born in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation. His family emigrated to the United States after the war, and he grew up with a love of science fiction, fantasy, animals, and the natural world. He served in the Army in El Paso, Texas, and later built a life in Oregon — running DeHaan’s Automotive with his father in Aloha, teaching auto mechanics at PCC, and working with Subaru and Mitsubishi along the way.
These works were made in the 1970s and early 1980s. Some hung on the walls of their childhood home. Others lived quietly in his collection — discovered, or rediscovered, only later. When it came time to make a Halloween party website, there was never really another choice for the artwork.
“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
A knight in full armor, lance raised, facing a dragon that is clearly not intimidated.
“Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?”— Gimli, The Return of the King
Shield, sword, and something watching from the dark.
“The most beautiful of all living things.”Lúthien — J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion
Heidi’s sister Kimberly, age five, as painted by their father. Blue eyes. Red coat. Enormous smile.
“May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks.”— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
A quick sketch — the kind a man makes when something catches his eye. Sharp lines, confident hand.
“Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea…”— Peter, Paul and Mary, 1963
A small green dragon holding a flower. Clearly harmless. Probably not.
“Far over the misty mountains cold…”— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
Rene DeHaan and a group of friends had already chartered a private plane for May 18, 1980 — a day they simply chose to fly out and photograph the mountain. That morning, the pilot mentioned there was some activity. What they flew into was the eruption: one of the most powerful volcanic events in North American history. He came home with three award-winning photographs — and then gave up one prize so another photographer could share the honor rather than sweep the top three places. The contest was held at OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland.
“No admittance except on party business.”— from Bilbo Baggins’ gate at Bag End, The Fellowship of the Ring
A white tiger prowling through falling snow toward a lit barn at night.
