13 Mar 2011

Flensborg Fjord

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In the far north of Germany the Flensburg Fjord, occasionally known as the Flensburg Firth, forms part of the border between Germany to the south and Denmark to the north stretching 50 kilometers into the Baltic Sea. Following its path starting from Flensburg, steep coast lines, wooded areas and fields trim the water’s edge until the Fjord opens out into an almost infinite horizon to the Baltic Sea.

Flenborg Fjord

Sketchbook, 31×22cm, © Astrid Volquardsen, 2011

Over the years I have made frequent visits to the region and become very fond of this part of the world and, at present, the artistic focus of my work on this region has found a special place in my heart.

Whilst, in the past, trading of bricks and rum was a significant economic factor and merchant sailing vessels and the chimneys of brickworks characterized the picture of the Fjord, today it is a holiday resort and a popular sailing area.

This region is particularly interesting from a cultural-historical point of view. The German-Danish border has been shifted again and again, and it did not reach its final position until 1920. The different cultures have left their mark on both sides of the border whilst at the same time lending an additional and unique charm to the region.

I am looking forward to explore further  this beautiful landscape this year and be inspired for more sketches ansd paintings.

Flensburg Fjord Thema

Image, © Astrid Volquardsen, 2011

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26 Feb 2011

Silvergrey River

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Silbergraue Ankunft

Sketchbook, 2011 © Astrid Volquardsen

Just before the big container ships reach the harbour of Hamburg the river bends, so one cannot see, what kind of ship might appear in the distance. After a heavy rain shower one of these really big ships appeared out of the mist and the river was dipped into a wonderful silver grey scenery.

Silbergraue AnkunftSilbergraue Ankunft
30×30 cm, 2011, © Astrid Volquardsen

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18 Feb 2011

Welcome

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Welcome to my newly designed homepage and blog. We tried hard to make the site and its navigation more clearly.  Especially for the English readers a lot has changed, because the whole navigation and the information about my work is now completely in English.

Furthermore the tags will be in English for you as well. My new blog address is now: www.pastellbilder.de/blog/

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6 Feb 2011

Ballinstadt Hamburg

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Skizzenbuch, Pen & Gouache, 2011

Over 48 million people left Europe and immigrated to the USA. It is hard to imagine how great their desperation and hopelessness must have been and how brave they were at the same time. I wonder what they must have thought, when for the first time they had set their eyes on the busy Hamburg harbour (in north Germany) with its sailing and steam ships.

Till 1850 most people would emigrate via England, France, the Netherlands or the port Bremen (North Germany). In 185o Hamburg recognized that emigrants were a major economic factor and seaports like Hamburg became emigrant transship centers. In 1893 after a cholera epedimie the decision was made to build special housing areas for the emigrants and set up a system to prevent epedemics.

The Museum Ballinstadt in Hamburg has rebuild parts of this aera and in their exhibition they explain why and under what circumstances people left their native country.

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29 Jan 2011

How it all began…

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How it all began…

The last days I spent my time in front of my computer to answer questions for upcoming articles. When, where, how I will tell. But one is really BIG news!

Hans Jansen, Pastell, 50×39cm, 1957

I was asked when I started with pastels. I began using pastels, when I went to an Art Class with 18, but my love and affection towards them started much earlier. My grandparents had in their sitting room two pastels by the German painter Hans Jansen. You could see two seascapes, one with the rolling waves and another very quiete and peacefull one. I can remember how I sat there many, many times and looked in awe at those paintings. When I was about 6 I remember saying to myself, that I would love to paint something as beautifull as this.

My grandmother once told me how they had met Hans Jansen in 1957 at the beach, when he did a Plein Air painting.

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