Blog – Page 53 – Astrid Volquardsen

1 May 2012

Tug steam boat »Tiger«

by Astrid | 0

Leinen Los!, 13×13 cm, 2012
© Astrid Volquardsen

Last week the weather and light was so excellent that I decided to go to the museums harbour in Hamburg Oevelgoenne. As I strolled around the old sailing boats I took notice that one of the old steamboats was ready to leave. I was asked by one of the crew members if I would like to join them on a short trip on the other side of the river and watch them load new coal. Well, certainly yes!

I have always loved the flair of these old steam boats. This one is an old tug steam boat and was built in 1910. In the 1970s it was nearly scrapped and only rescued by enthusiastic by members of the museums harbour.

26 Apr 2012

Just in case

by Astrid | 2

Just in case, 13×13 cm, 2012
© Astrid Volquardsen

You can find this on every ship. Right now I just love painting with my red pigments and the pastels from Sennelier have the most intense and brilliants reds.

22 Apr 2012

View to the Sea (II)

by Astrid | 2

View to the Sea (II), 30×125 cm, 2012
© Astrid Volquardsen
sold

I have always liked the long format for my sea and coast paintings. In the very beginning as a young mother I kept them really small (3×9) which had several advantages at that time. First I only had a limited time to finish a painting. Furthermore a small format makes it much more easier to explore the different compositional elements and I could easilyexplore the techniques and easily achieve a painterly density (does this make sense?)

Anyway over time my formats got bigger and with the bigger studio and further paper choice I am finally there where I always wanted to be: Now, if you walk in my studio and look at the painting on my easel you are right there in the dunes at the sea.

16 Apr 2012

Inselglück

by Astrid | 0

Inselglück, 30×125 cm, 2012
© Astrid Volquardsen

At the north coast in Germany I always enjoy my very first view at the coastline after I crossed the dunes.

11 Apr 2012

Plein Air near Brunsnaes

by Astrid | 3

Brunsnaes im Abendlicht, 15×26 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen

It’s about time that spring with warmer temperature arrives and I am able to go outside for plein air painting without freezing. This sketch is from last summer at the Danish / German border of the Flensborg Fjord. It was done under the never ending gaggle of hundreds of geese on the waters edge.

Plein Air near Brunsnaes
© Marc Volquardsen

9 Apr 2012

Leisure

by Astrid | 3

A short break on the boat before work will be continued.

5 Apr 2012

On the customs canal (Study)

by Astrid | 0

One of the work boats of the board of works. Pure power of colors.

« 1 … 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 … 87 »

About me

I am fascinated by the light conditions of the countryside, particularly in Northern Germany. I grew up in Hamburg so I am used to the rugged countryside and sometimes bleak weather and light conditions. The light in northern country landscapes is very special and it is indescribably beautiful. It touches my soul and opens up my heart when I visit the coast and feel the elemental force of the sea.
As opposed to my seascapes, I am very interested in the closely cropped views of the harbor and its endless diversity of shapes and colors.

With pastel painting l have found the ideal medium to artistically and creatively transform these special conditions of illumination. I love to spread pigment on paper without anything else in between.
Pastel paintings come alive when you put different layers of colour on the canvas. This is a great artistic stimulus for me. Which combination of colour pigments can be used to achieve precisely the effect of light and shade that I want? During the artistic process, layers of colour are continually built up and removed until the light situation has been captured and the picture can unfold its unique illuminating power.