Astrid Volquardsen | pastellbilder

Smalltalk, 20×20 cm, 2013
© Astrid Volquardsen
450,- EUR

Before the oil drums are loaded onto the ship Stettin, the workers have a small talk.

The figure is coming into my paintings. The life of a harbor is somehow incomplete without the people.

Coating, 20×20 cm, 2013
© Astrid Volquardsen
450,- EUR

I watched as one of the pilot changed to the bigger ship. Suddenly I realised that one of the seaman hang on the outside coating the ship. Seems quite brave to me.

Every year we celebrate the anniversary of the harbor (something around 800 years) and it gets extremly busy by now. Yesterday we went on the icebreaker Stettin, which is the  biggest coal fired steamboat on earth that is still running. (But not in its original use).

2013
© Marc Volquardsen

While I was sketching sailor Willy approached me and this led to a very pleasant trip on the Stettin in the evening.

2013
© Marc Volquardsen

Right now I am experimenting with a new sketchbook (Canson Art Book 180) and my gouache and a more bolder approach. This sketch took me about 40 minutes but I was constantly disrupted to talk with different crew member (which was so nice and funny).

Sketchbook, 2013
© Astrid Volquardsen

Mooring Boat L&R 1, 23×60 cm, 2013
© Astrid Volquardsen
950,- EUR

The mooring vessels can be seen anytime in the harbour. Their job is to moor vessels quickly and safely to the quays. It is said to be one of the most dangerous jobs in a harbor, because the men have to do this job day and night regardless of the weather conditions.

My work has been selected from over 700 entries to appear alongside paintings by some of Britain’s leading pastel artists – honorary members include Paula Rego and Rose Hilton. The Pastel Society UK’s Annual Exhibition will be on display at Mall Galleries near Trafalgar Square between 10th to 22nd of June 2013.

The Pastel Society hold an open submission exhibition in central London each year. Founded in 1898, with historical membership including Walter Crane and Dame Laura Knight. Today the Society is well known for spanning figurative, abstract and experimental work in all types of dry media. The opening speach will be held by Philip Mould, who some of you might know from the Antiques Roadshow of BBC1.

I do really enjoy strolling around in a city and discover the places with a sketchbook.

Originally I wanted to visit Westminster Abbey but when I arrived it was already closed. Since it started to rain I took shelter in the next church close by, St. Margarets. When I approached the altar I realised that in this very church the book of condolences for Margaret Thatcher were on display.

So I started to sketch the people when I was approached by a security guard:

»Are you sketching?«
»Yes, something wrong?«
»No everything is a.ok. I am just always fascinated by people who sketch and capture a moment with a pen. May I see it, when you‹re finished?«
»Of course.«

In the end we have a really nice conversation about sketching and about body language. Some people we observe seem to be really touched, some look just out of pure curiousity and others obviously write funny comments in the books, because they start to giggle.

ST. Margartes Church, Canson sketchbook, edding und guoache,
2013 © Astrid Volquardsen

The next day I sat in the Great Cloister at Westminster Abbey. The sun enlightened this place, and while sketching the air was filled by the music of a choir and organ.

Westminster Abbey, Canson sketchbook, edding und guoache,
2013 © Astrid Volquardsen