Ernestine Tahedl

The Pond, Reflection and Water Lilies paintings of recent years have allowed me to immerse myself into "pure" painting without being lost in it. Over the years I have searched for this freedom in my work, trying to find my way back to my childhood painting experience, to a fresher way of working. 

Abstraction, for me, is too loose and open-ended, landscape sometimes too restrictive while pivoting me too much towards conventional landscape composition. Although I see my landscapes as not representing a particular motif or place, I always strive for the essence of the place and all that a "Landscape" can imply, not just natural physical landscape, but the human landscape as well.  

I explore and try to find the balance between the realistic image and the pictorial values for my paintings.  

The concept of multiple canvases and panels has always fascinated me. It leads me towards the medieval concept of religious paintings and their spirituality.  I hope that that spirituality and serenity are integral to my work. Colour and light are additional factors that guide my work. Colour to me is light.  

For me, the Pond Paintings come close to a musical experience and, as a result, many of the works have musical titles. I feel these paintings are a more direct, human and spiritual experience without confinement of the motif or formal restriction; yet still consist of all those elements that I have explored in my work over the years.