I paint with professional high quality acrylic paint on wooden stretcher canvases with brushes, palette knives and my fingers. My desire is to capture the sunlight of nature and paint it, so the moment is saved forever. My paintings invite viewers to savor the magic of the natural world. I find inspiration for new paintings during walks through nature, on my travels or in my garden, constantly taking photos to bring it to life later in my studio.

Artist Sandra Gebhardt-Hoepfner working on a painting. 

 

Floating 5, acrylic on wooden stretched canvas, 39 ¼ x 39 ½ x ¾" (100 x 100 x 2 cm)  The first picture I bought for my room when I was 14 years old in my parents’ house was a poster of Claude Monet’s water lilies in Giverny, France. I love the peace I feel when I sit by a pond of water lilies, just watching and listening. Within my paintings, I strive to capture the reflection of the sunlight on the slowly moving water. My water lilies are more like a little fairy tale, some parts are real like in nature, others are just what I see in my imagination. I love the mix of it. 

 

The subject matter I focus on primarily are elements of nature, be it water, water lilies, flowers or trees—what I hope provides a source of strength, joy and serenity for the viewer. A painting is a secret doorway through which I can express my perspective as intimately as possible. While I paint, I listen to music and maybe sing out loud sometimes. I arrange my paintings right from my heart and soul, letting my feelings dictate the next brushstroke, sometimes even surprising myself with the result.

Poppies Land 1, acrylic on wooden stretched canvas, 31½ x 31½ x ¾" (80 x 80 x 2 cm) At my second studio a poppy field is nearby. I can stand there forever watching the wind and sunlight making their way through the dancing blossoms, creating reflections here and there. 

 

Water Lilies At Sunset 5, acrylic on wooden stretched canvas, 23½ x 31½ x ¾" (60 x 80 x 2 cm)   This scene depicts a pond of water lilies in Hamburg, Germany. The sunlight and trees are reflecting on the blue shining water. I never know exactly what is underneath the water. The lilies always give a “wow” feeling. The blossoms are so strong and almost lordly—so confident while they float with their leaves on the surface. 

 

My style is best described as something between impressionism and semi-realism. For me, a painting is finished when I view it and feel happy and whole inside. I am always on the hunt for new inspiring scenes. My paintings are signed in the front and signed and dated on the back. The sides are painted too, so they can be hung up directly with the installed wire on a wall. Each painting comes with a certificate of authenticity.  —