#12 Kerstin
July 2015
Acrylic on canvas (1m x 1m)
I created this painting in a couple of swift sessions at the end of spring / early summer 2015.
This was the first time that I experimented with mixing an acrylic medium so thinly with heavy-body paint. The first layer was an adventure in drippings and can be guessed through the translucent top layer and its buzzing pyrole orange, deep purple, yellow and cyan blue, leaving a feeling of lightness and depth at the same time.
The final, bold touches, were the shapes in black inspired by leaves and feathers and I also used butterfly and flower stencils for the first time on the canvas. They have since then also become a favorite of mine as can be seen on some later pieces.
When I opened the door to my lovely neighbour the day before she was due to depart for several weeks in Italy, I realised instantly that this painting was hers.
I had not noticed that I had picked with the orange, yellow and blue in particular, some of her favorite colours – colours that I have seen her wearing on a number of occasions before and after this painting.
So in the end, I gave it to her and gave the painting her name: Kerstin. And I’m honored to say that it has found a beautiful place in her home, on the wall facing her bed and it’s the first thing that she sees in the morning. Happy me 🙂
I also want to acknowledge Kerstin as one of the first people to have encouraged my creativity, having seen my very first paintings, waving from the street at me when I’m painting in my winter garden and asking about my current works.
I’m also very grateful for the generosity of Kerstin’s husband Wolfgang, who has carried in his car and up the stairs a number of canvases back from my favourite art supplies shop in Hamburg, Jerwitz.
Thank you Kerstin for being my inspiration for this painting! I’m so grateful for having you and Wolfgang as my kind and lovely neighbours!