Blog – Page 62 – Astrid Volquardsen

7 May 2011

Café Lichthof

by Astrid | 0

Door of Café Lichthof, Pastel, 12×12 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen

On the German side of the Flensburg Fjord lies the picturesque village of Falshöft. Here the Fjord opens out to the Baltic sea. The village is mostly known for its lighthouse where couples can get married. But it also has this beautiful little small Cafe, where they offer the most delicious cakes. We had an egg liqueur cake with Rote Grütze . Rote Grütze is a red berry pudding topped on the cake. Mmmm….

The pastel above shows a detail of the front door, which is very typical for the old farm houses in the north of Germany.

Sketch, 20×40 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen

29 Apr 2011

Danish Hot Dogs at Langballigau

by Astrid | 0

It is really nice to go for a bike ride along the German side of the Flensborg Ford, as long as you don`t mind the rolling hills.

At the end of your trip you can have a nice rest in a small town called Langballigau where we found this place which sells original danish Hot Dogs. Delecious!

Sketch, 20×22 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen

As we sat there and enjoyed the warm sunshine, a father with his two small sons appeared (4 and 6 years old) and ordered some Hot Dogs.

The lady behind the counter asked the younger of the brothers: « Do you have everything with your Hot Dog?« to which he replied: »No, nomustard, please. « And quickly added: « And no mushrooms!«

25 Apr 2011

Painting grounds

by Astrid | 4

The other day I talked with some pastel artists about different pastel grounds and trying out new options.

Well, I thought, I give it a try.

Kreativität-1

Mm, I don`t know about this combination.

Kreativität-2

Lucky one I am, I have a brand new material at hand.

Kreativität-3

O.K. this looks much better, but maybe I could push it a bit further

with a combination of an underpainting and another ground.

Kreativität-4

Ahh, that’s great.

Kreativität-5

Guten Appetit!

Kreativität-6

10 Apr 2011

Auflaufend Wasser

by Astrid | 7

Auflaufend Wasser
Pastel, 2011, 30×60 cm

Thundourus surf. When I look at this painting I have a deep longing to go back to the North Sea. The different shades of green in the surf always faszinates me, when the afternoon and evening sun shines through the waves.

3 Apr 2011

Boom of the sea

by Astrid | 1

Do you know this feeling, when you are standing at the beach, listening to the boom of the surf, feeling the spray in your face und with every breaker you get wet – heaven!

27 Mar 2011

Sailing to connect

by Astrid | 7

During the winter months the so called pancake ice can be seen on the river Elbe and this results in beautiful light situations.
About everywhere in the harbor towbots are on their way to the big ships and guide them to their dock.

18 Mar 2011

Bliss

by Astrid | 2

On the cliff line of the Danish peninsula Broager Land at Frydebhavn one has a terrific view of the Flensborg Fjord towards the infinite horizon which opens out into the Baltic Sea. Here you can usually see spectacular cloud formations, something which I like to call “a sky movie”. Depending on the season, this part of the world can be adorned with lots of sailing boats. On the other side of the Fjord you can see the German coastline with the beautiful nature reserve landscape of the Gelting Bay. This is a place where your soul can come to rest and where you can experience utter bliss.

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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.