In the years as a paramedic, nature always restored my balance. It smoothed the sharp edges of the realities of my career.
Some years later when my daughter's friend gifted acrylic paints, brushes and canvases she no longer needed, I had no excuses and put brush to canvas. 
Nature is my inspiration. Life, all creatures, plants, and landscapes, all of our environment is in a state of constant change. The changing light thoughout the day, the seasons and even the changing weather alters the colors of our surroundings. It allows us to see shades and reflections, sometimes even objects that are not visible at other times. Throughout time my style may vary however the inspiration of my surroundings in Central Oregon remain: the landscapes, shapes and colors of nature are reflected in my art. I find deep peace and beauty in nature. I attempt to convey the unity and joy I feel with my environment in the colors and shapes of my paintings. Many of my creations are acrylic paintings.  Utilizing mediums, layering of paints as well as scratching, adding different paint pigments, such as pastels or oils and removing one or multiple layers to reveal earlier ones creates unique paintings. This creates texture which in turn creates depth and allows the light to play its magic hiding or revealing things within the painting.
With my art I hope to smooth the rough edges of all our life and attempt to convey the peace I feel creating these paintings. I hope you see the joy of our existence in my art and want to come back for a closer look. 

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-Bend, Oregon based artist Sonja von Ehrenstein