Artist-in-Residence at Schwartzsche Villa, Berlin, Germany, Fall 2004

The ambiance of fall in Berlin is completely different than expected. There are always clouds
in the sky except once, when the sky was as steel-blue as in California.
Seen from the studio window the clouds travel, float and swim from left to right.
Otherwise very little light penetrates the windowpanes. The morning is dark.
There are also many high, old trees casting their shadows.
All of this I want to capture in my painting.
Because of the eternal darkness gates, cars, signs and walls are covered with moss. Everywhere
there is green, in addition to the autumn colors yellow, brown and orange.
In the studio silence prevails, only the noises from outside penetrate. Opposite the studio
roars and thunders from a construction site reach my ear. In the restaurant downstairs plates
and silverware rattle. On the playground a baby cries and cries for one long hour.

Each day found objects are brought to the studio: a paving-stone, leaves, round pieces of
wood, chestnuts, brochures, postcards, tickets to museums.
My residency is for barely four weeks. No time to waste.
Non-stop drawing and painting until all pages are filled.
The next day again with the bicycle over bumpy paver-stones to the studio, to continue working.


| >>