Hänsel










Some impressions from the premiere of "Hänsel", the first film by my sons remarkable girlfriend Juli Gaston. Robin was art-director to the film and they both worked for months and months, with a team of over 30 people to get it done.
It came out so professional in every detail that we could hardly believe it. For they had only a small budget, mainly sponsored by "Finger weg" an organisation that works to prevent violence against kids.
The film is a modern fairy tale, based on "Hänsel and Gretel" by the Grimm brothers, but mainly telling the story of 11 years old Marvin, who is mistreated by his mother and escapes in a dream-world, where he fights and wins against the wicked witch, thus getting his strength back and keeping his integrity.
They put so much love, care and work into every detail, that i think it's going to be a hit at various short film festivals in the coming year. 
Enjoy the photos here - they give you a glimpse of how opulent and beautiful the setting and costumes were. Have a bright and happy start to your week dear friends - i look forward to visit you back!

Einige Impressionen von der Premiere von "Hänsel", im Main-Taunus Zentrum bei Frankfurt am letzten Wochenende, Der erste Kurzfilm von Juli Gaston ist eine moderne Interpretation, des Märchens Hänsel und Gretel der Gebrüder Grimm. Die Geschichte handelt von dem 11-jährigen Jungen, Marvin, der von seiner Mutter misshandelt wird. Marvin träumt sich in eine Märchenwelt, in der er als starker Hänsel die böse Hexe besiegt und auf diese Weise die traumatischen Erlebnisse verarbeitet.

Der Film, der von einem engagierten Team aus Profis und Studenten in monatelanger Arbeit und mit sehr geringen Mitteln verwirklicht wurde, beeindruckt durch eine starke, poetische Bildsprache, die einen als Betrachter sofort gefangen nimmt. Obwohl der Film mit Metaphern arbeitet und das Geschehen der Kindesmisshandlung nur andeutet, hält man als Betrachter den Atem an. Die Intensität der Darsteller und  hollywoodreife Filmmusik tun ein übriges, um den Film zu etwas ganz Besonderem zu machen.

Grosszügig gesponsert wurde das Werk von dem Verein "Finger weg von unseren Kindern", der sich um Aufklärung und Vorbeugung zu dem brisanten Thema bemüht. Weitere Aufführungen sind geplant in Schulen und Erziehungseinrichtungen, sowie auf verschiedenen Kurzfilm-Festivals im kommenden Jahr.

Sour and sweet






Sour and sweet is the taste of life

Some street art from Italy - just impressions i caught, while walking the little streets of the ancient town called Albenga, situated at the Ligurian coast.  The combination of zesty yellow, sweet pink and mellow grey is something i want to use in one of the next paintings. Yellow and pink is my happy combination, and the grey and creamy white ads a touch of softness to the mix.
It's grey outside here and soft rain is falling. Am preparing for a weekend visit by two close friends of mine, and look forward to an exciting film-premiere on sunday, featuring the work of some people very dear to me -more about it in the next post!

Looking at those lemons, i'm thinking about making lemon spaghetti for lunch today, so easy and delicious! Find the recipe here!



September Highlights


1. The clear and sunny light is beautiful in September -  and i often sat outside painting what i saw, but putting it together in a new way - like these two little pieces..  They are framed in a double frame by Articulate Gallery,
2. Walking in sandals, shopping fresh fruit., veggies and flowers is one of my summer delights and  every day seems special to me know - as we're approaching the beginning of fall.
3. A midday espresso, from my new coffee machine reading news from dear friends - time to breathe and make the moment count.
4. My son Marin alias Schlindwein had his first solo live gig in a funky Nhow Hotel in Berlin - so cool!
5. A mini-spa break for body and soul sometimes is just what the doctor asked for. Since a while ago i badly hurt my foot and we had many things to deal with, hubby and i treated ourselves to some much needed downtime at the gorgeous Bollants , not very far from us in Bad Sobernheim.

What else will September have in store? First of all, i hope a fabulous weekend for you my lovelies.
Visiting YOU is a highlight all through the year!

Late summer colors



"Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh so mellow ..."


Orange berries are ripening on the bushes and our evenings are lit by fire and warmed by a blanket on the terasse. It really feels like late summer now - and this little painting i did recently catches the mood.


It is framed in a new kind of frame i was offered to test for our magazine and website KidsLife, and i like it very much. It allows to frame artwork on paper without putting a glass over the picture, something i have often wished for. A glass can look nice, but i often feel that it takes some warmth and vibrancy away from the painting, the feel and taste of something handmade.

These framed were developed to showcase kids-art. They have a slit on the top, and you can stack and store several pieces in them if you like. For me they are great because they allow me, to quickly show a client, how a painting on paper appears when framed, Plus the rounded corners look so cool.
The frames are called Articulate Gallery - get more informations here.