How to start an abstract painting

I recently saw, that the question “How to start an abstract painting” got new interest. So I decided to add to this post a video about the process of starting a new large painting. Just watch how the first layers grow. If you want to see the finished painting, you will find it on Instagram here.


An artist friend asked me the other day: How do you start an abstract painting? I didn’t give her an answer yet. Now here is a series of photos that may tell a part of the story. But it is the story of these particular works. It may be quite different with other paintings I do or how others artists design their process. There are so many ways to start a new painting. Not all ways are invented by now.

How do I start an abstract painting?

When I was starting my painters journey about 20 years ago – after some very few lessons in working figurative – I was so lucky to visit a painting workshop by an Austrian artist. Her name was Fria Elften-Frenken. She lived in a beautiful kind of farmhouse on the Neusiedler Lake. She had studied in the academy of fine arts, Vienna and was well known. One of her remembered sentences was: “It took years to forget about what I learned and to start doing my own art.” Consequently she would provide us with materials but not with lessons and ideas. She was always ready to consult when we were stuck. But we had to find our own way.

Trust into yourself -its all about you!

I am lucky that I had this kind of start. That was what I was looking for in art. It is this kind of freedom. It allows you to do what you want. In a way, there is no right and wrong. If it is appreciated by others is a second questions. Art is a lot about expressing yourself. Of course there are many of things to be learned. About ways you can take, materials you can use and thousand other things. But what you do, how you get there and what result comes out of it, that is your own art.

How to cope with the „angst of the white canvas“

At the beginning another sentence was in my head about something artists experience: “the angst of the white canvas”. I don’t know where I had heard it and why it stuck in my head. But influenced the steps I took.

Read on how I handled that „Angst“ and watch the beginning of a large painting

Continue reading “How to start an abstract painting”

If you happen to be in Marbella or Málaga, don’t miss these exhibitions

If you happen to be in Marbella or Málaga, don’t miss…

Dieter Nuhr in Reiners Contemporary Art Marbella

If you happen to be in Marbella or Málaga, don’t miss these exhibitions. In Marbella there are two gallery shows I am interested in and I would like to recommend. Both galleries – run by knowledgeable, charming gallerists –  present new shows in June/July. I visited the presentation of Dieter Nuhr’s large-format painterly photographs – in the “new normal” style- masks obligatory – at Gallery Reiners Contemporary Art.  The gallerist Flor Reiners offers visits by appointment ( phone 628374676) , Email: flor@reinerscontemporaryart.com
Thanks to Gabriela Berner, journalist of the German SUR I can show you here her article on the opening of the show of Dieter Nuhr!

Here is a little sneak prewiew into some photos to be seen. Due to the “New normal” and the fact that this was the first time after months to put a feet into a temple of art and on top to get to know a new gallery, I forgot t take photos. Two of the paintings you can see in the exposition in Marbella and more of these great works. I added two paintings from other exhibitions to demonstrate the size of this wonderful painterly photos that tell stories of Dieter Nuhrs travels worldwide. They guide our view on walls that show many layers and have seen many events and many years pass by. The work of time.

The exhibition will be open till 6th of July. It is open by appointment for 6 persons with masks. (Flor Reiners; 62803740674) or flor@reinerscontemporaryart.com

Read here (in German) the article about the exhibition of Dieter Nuhr in Reiners Cotemporary Art Gallery. Many thanks to Gabriela Berner, a journalist of the German SUR, for letting us read her article on this page and providing me with two images!

If you happen to be in Marbella and are interested in art and art exhibitions, you might be interested in joining my newsletter. Next time I will write about an exhibition, which I haven`t visited yet but hopefully will see next week. The exhibition promises to be interesting. The gallery Isolina Arbulu, Marbella, presents Gala Fernandez Montero – Organic Geometry. It will open tomorrow , 12th of June, by private invitation.

Continue reading “If you happen to be in Marbella or Málaga, don’t miss these exhibitions”

Large Format

Large format / Formatos Grandes / Große Formate

Gemälde  100 cm und größer
Paintings 100 cm and bigger
Cuadros   100 cm y más

If you interested in one of the paintings, get in touch with me here !or use contact form at the end of this page.

Si está interesado en una de las pinturas, póngase en contacto conmigo aquí! O utilice el formulario de contacto al final de esta página.

Wenn Sie an einem Bild interessiert sind, nehmen Sie gerne mit mir Kontakt auf! Oder nutzten Sie das Kontaktformular am Ende dieser Seite.

“Woodland”
150×130 cm Acrylic on stretched Canvas, 2.800,00 €

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“Think big, dream in colour!” 160×140 cm, acrylic on stretched canvas, available, 2.980 €, ask your question here!

See the above painting in different rooms!

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“Dreaming about Greenland”  Acrylic on stretched canvas,  160×140 cm, 2.980 €. Ask your question here!

Narzissen im Botanischen Garten
Narzissen 140×100 cm, acrylic on stretched canvas, ready to hang , available, 1.800 €.

“Blue Secret” 100×80 cm, acrylic on canvas, 1.200 €, ready to hang, framed in a silver Nilson Frame

Wonder of transformation – from old to new!

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I had to reorganize my studio – space was needed, a disturbing problem with many artist studios. So this was my opportunity to undertake a serious inspection of my collection of paintings. Some made me smile, they are still dear old friends and it was a very warm reconnection. Some clearly didn’t  pass the check. I build a nice staple of “ready to be re-worked again”.

Reworking a painting is a tricky task. In the end it asks for a lot of boldness, courage and “letting go”. But paintings on this staple are not all boring but have some very nice parts.  So I am tempted to “save” these parts – against all experience that for me and my style of painting it is nearly impossible to create an authentic, lively and balanced abstract work while trying to save some parts. Working on an older painting of course keeps also some risk: You never know if you will manage to make it a better painting despite all your work…..so  the question, did I succeed?

As an abstract painter I work with many layers to create depth in a painting without constructing something like a perspective. So working on an older work is interesting as it always has in store already quite some layers and if I don’t whiten the whole painting the previous painting will speak through the new layers. Here I show you some of my re-worked paintings of the last months. Do you see the connection?

Tapp to enlarge.

 

“Metamorphosis” had already gone through some changes, but I was not too pleased with the result. So after some months I said “Good bye” to the Metamorphosis and it developed into a “Wonder Flower”. This one I did without trying to “save” parts, but elder parts very nicely fit with the newer parts.

Tapp to enlarge.

 

The “Vancouver service street” holds nice memories but it lost in the “survival of the best”. It has undergone a very bold change. You see the influence of the under laying layers? How do they influence the new composition?

Tapp to enlarge.

 

This one gave me  a hard time as I liked so many featured in it but never could sort out how to make it a complete painting. So I loved it and I hated it. I started this work in Tuscany, where I spend several summer painting. Definitely I was in love with the upper part. I fought to keep the red one, but it turned out to look like a big whale…so it had to go, so sorry dear red!   Here you see, which parts survived and which not.

Tapp to enlarge.

 

These is also a painting from my “Fluid Periode” which I looked at and I liked it but never felt it was finished. But as I liked the flow and the style and the colours , I didn’t want to destroy it, so I did only little changes, like deepening some darker parts, darken with a pink the very light part at the left and interrupt the light horizontal part by taking down a little bit the green. Very small differences that made a notable difference to me. Now it has become a harmonic painting for my taste. What do you think?

If you want to see more changes – look at these paintings in a room!

Tapp to enlarge!
 If you want to see more paintings in a room , tapp here!

If you want to see more paintings in a room, tapp here!

Newsletter

Time by time I am sending out a newsletter. I inform about new artworks, I have made, I give some insights into my studio work and information about exhibitions and artists friends, that I like. I would be happy to include you. So please leave your address, if you are interested. You can cancle the it any moment you want!

See the painting in a room – Schauen Sie sich das Bild in einem Raum an –

See a big painting put into different rooms. Get an idea about how the feeling of living with this painting may be like. See different options and observe, how the atmosphere of the room or/and the painting change!

Send me a photo of your room – the place where you would like to hang the/a painting (with some reference measurement). I will send you different proposals, mounted in your environment.

If you are interested in a specific painting, let me know. I will send you pictures in different settings.  Get in touch with me here.

See some smaller paintings here, that have been on special offer for “The Painting of the Month“. Click onto the pictures to enlarge.

 

“Think big, dream in color”

giving energy and light to a private or official room..

outstanding statement on a big wall

making a cosy and joyful atmosphere with two easy chairs

adding creative spirit to a conference room

adding warmth and joy to a modern envirement

You want to go back to more big formats? Click here!

See more photos of paintings in a room, tapp here!

Art and Music in the Air!

SALIDA DEL SOL: Festival of the Performing and Visual arts started today, 01.10. in La Cala de Mijas!

Art exhibition and Soirées every day till 08.10.18 in La Cala, Mijas, in the Avanto Restaurant. Come and see my paintings and the art exhibition with works of 12 international artists. Every evening there will be a great performance: Music, dance, opera, fashion show and more. Read all about it at the bottom of this page!

Review: Great day out in Cómpeta with Art & Food & Music!

Sunday, the 16th of September we celebrated the Finissage of the first exhibition of Costa del Arte Collective in the Galeria Luz de la Vida in Cómpeta. We had put together a program for the whole day, so people coming up from the coast could enjoy a day with Art, Food and Music. We  had a fantastic press cover, both in the German and the English press and our visitors enjoyed the “lazy Sunday lunch” in the Finca de las Sierras and our Finissage with great art of the Costa del Arte Collective, talked to the artists and enjoyed the impressing music of Duo Masque!  Just dip in and listen for a while to Russel and Chrissy !

Huge Press Attention

The Costa del Arte Collective got a lot of attention in the social media and the English and German press:

A very personal press attention I got in

SPANIEN AKTUELL!

Great thanks to Marga Lange, who got in touch with my art and my way of becoming an artist!

To read more just visit the online edition from SPANIEN AKTUELL!
Besuchen Sie die online Version von SPANIEN AKTUELL HIER

More Art and Music in the Air!
Next exhibition starting Monday, 1st of October at

“Salida del Sol” Festival of Music and Visual Arts!

The next event is already taking a lot of my attention and it is waiting for you! Together with two members of the Costa del Arte Collective, Anouk Slegers and Lieuwke Loth,  I will exhibit in the Art and Music Festival Salida del Sol, taking place in the Avanto Theater from 01.-08.10.18 in Cala de Mijas! Don’t miss it! Is is a unique combination of different branches of art, dance, music and literature!

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Last Monday we started with the installation of the art show. Works of the members of Costa del Arte Collective will be to be seen from 01.10. till 08.10.18 from 11:00 to 18:00 hours. Twelve international artists will present their art. The visit of the art exhibition is free. There is a special offer for coffee and cake from the Avanto Restaurant at 16:00 hours at the time, when also artists will be present.

Preparing for the exhibition: Works of the members of Costa del Arte Collective. Exhibiting Lieuwke Loth, Anouk Slegers and
Gerrit Oppelland-Hampel

Done. Ready for the art show!

Very interesting program every evening! Music and Art, Dance, Literature and more! 

Check out the program here for detailed information about the evening events here on Salida del Sol,

scroll down to see the list of participating artists and click on their names to reach their websites !

Salida del Sol

Hope to see you there!!! Freue mich, Sie dort zu sehen!

Information (German)  you also find here: SPANIEN AKTUELL
SPANIEN AKTUELL finden Sie als Print Ausgabe an verschiedenen Verteilerstellen. Das Magazin ist kostenlos und erscheint monatlich. Der online Kalender informiert über viele Veranstaltungen an der Costa del Sol.

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Are you ready for a great day out? With Art and Food and Music?

The ongoing exhibition of Costa del Arte Collective in the Galeria Luz de la Vida will end with a Finissage on Sunday the 16.09.18! Treat yourself to a great day out in Cómpeta! We have put together some very pleasant events for you!

All details about the Gallery at the bottom of the page.
The lively white village of Cómpeta and the nature park

The lively village of Cómpeta and the nature park

Visit the lively white village of Cómpeta – a great village in the mountains, 16 km up from the coast – situated at the foot of the nature park “Sierra de Almijara”. If you like adventure, drive up the dirt road to the nature park and enjoy breath taking views and a breathtaking road!

A tasty 4 course Lunch at the Finca

If you like to have a great lunch, reserve a place and enjoy the culinary delights of a 4 course menu at the Finca de las Sierras. The Finca treats you to a wonderful surrounding, the tasty food of the Chef, the live music of Duo Masque and great views. Get in touch with some art works by members of the Costa del Arte Collective, which are exhibited at the Finca. Get to know the artists, talk privately with Lieuwke Loth and Gerrit Oppelland-Hampel, who will be present.

Chill out at the Finissage at 6 pm in the Gallery. Enjoy
ART – ARTISTS – DRINKS – MUSIC – CHATS

Be part of the Finissage of the Costa del Arte exhibition in the charming Galeria Luz de la Vida with music and drinks. You will enjoy the cooling and relaxing atmosphere of the authentic and characteristic Spanish building of the Galeria. You will be delighted by the light-hearted and joyful exhibition of the Costa del Arte Collective.

 

You will find fascinating bronze and steel sculptures by Lieuwke Loth, surreal paintings in the style of the old Dutch masters by Anouk Slegers, very tactile ab7stract landscapes painted on canvas with oil, bee’s wax and sand by Annabel Keatley and vibrant, colourful abstract – expressionist paintings by Gerrit Oppelland-Hampel. Ask Annabel Keatley how she is creating her most beautiful artwork with such interesting ingredients like bee’s wax and sand.

Browse through the Gallery and be ready to be surprised by the treasures there! Maybe you will already find the first Christmas present! Sit in the sculpture garden and enjoy the music of Duo Masque, get to know new people and chat! We are open at 5 pm!
Drive home happily and safely after a great day out!

2018-09 Plakat für Finissage Entwurf 1a

The exhibition of Costa del Arte Collective will go on till 16.09.18
Opening times :
Galeria Luz de la Vida
Laberinto bajo 15, Cómpeta
Thursday to Saturday 11 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm, Saturday afternoon closed.
Sneak in at other days, maybe we are open! 🙂 You are very welcome!

May be your interested in the “Painting of the month”? Click here!

The Power of Art – How Paintings change your Room

A painting is a very powerful instrument to give spirit and life to your office or home. Depending on style, color and size it “makes”the room or it adds kind of statement, that you want to make. A painting as well reveals a bit about your personality. A painting in your room is what the eyes are in the face: they attract because they are speaking, they can hide something and they can reveal something about your mood, your spirit, your personality.

Two paintings, that “make” the entrance hall of an Apartment Hotel in Bonn

Wood 1 and Wood 2 were inspired by a holiday I spend on the Darß – a peninsular in the Baltic sea. Riding with the bicycle through the endless woods at the coast with its thousands of rather straight trees and the changing lights impressed me a lot.

 

Now these large paintings (145×160 cm and 160×145 cm) are the lead theme for  the design of this entrance hall of the Apartment Hotel Kaiser Karl in Bonn. They add some charme and character to the hall and they clearly give the mission to the visitors, that this is not a simple business place but a house with personality and individuality.

If you are in Bonn, feel free to visit the hotel. The staff will be happy to show you my paintings. You will find more in a permanent exhibition of paintings by me on the souterrain. I found this photos and hotel information at Hotel.com Kaiser-Karl-Apartmenthotel

Costa del Arte Collective goes public! Visit our exhibition in Cómpeta!

Exhibition in Cómpeta in the Galeria Luz de la Vida till 16.09.18!

Costa del Arte Collective goes public! Visit our exhibition in Cómpeta!

Klick onto the link above or on the title to get to the information!

Klicken Sie auf den Link oben oder auf den Titel, um die Information zu erhalten!