Artist-in-Residence at Schwartzsche Villa, Berlin, Fall 2004
Berliner Bise
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 always travel, float and swim from left to right. Otherwise very little light penetrates the windowpanes. The morning is dark. Additionally there are many high, old trees casting their shadows.
Those are the instances I want to paint.
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 for fares and entrances.
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.
Click the painting to see its full size.
All paintings are mixed media on paper.
Back to the
homepage
|
