GERHILDE STULKEN |
 Artist Profiles |
Going Places 
Rendezvous by the Pond 20.5" x 28.75" 
At the Pond 
Artic Flower |
HISTORY OF THE ARTIST Gerhilde Stulken was born in Stuttgart Germany but moved to North Vancouver, British Columbia when she was twenty-four years old. In June of 1998 she moved with her husband to the Sunshine Coast and enjoys living here very much. After retiring from a successful career in the fashion and cosmetic industry she indulged her lifelong passion for painting. Gerhilde's paintings are inspired by the beauty of nature, and reflect her love of colour and form. Being primarily a representational artist, her art does not focus directly on particular issues, but does have a vast range of subjects, from tropical and local birds and flowers as well as country gardens and landscapes. her art is a celebration of natures beauty. It is hoped that the contemplation of it will have a positive effect on its viewers. Her philosophy toward painting could not be expressed better than Gerhilde stated it herself in her own words: .... "With so much sadness and ugliness in the world, I would like to convey a feeling of happiness in people when they look at my paintings and I hope that they will be able to see the beauty that is all around us, if we but take the time to look!" 'Gerhilde Stulken' ARTIST STATEMENT 'As a child and teenager I loved drawing and painting with watercolours. However I was not able to fulfill my dream of painting full time till my family had grown up and I could finally quit my job. Over the years I had attended many drawing and painting classes, and taking the knowledge from those classes I was able to develop my own unique style and use of colours. I never dreamed of showing my paintings, least of all selling any of them, but before I knew it I had my first showing and sold some of my paintings. From that time on there was no stopping me, it was not unusual for me to have several shows each year: One exceptionally exciting showing was at the Make Gallery in Nagoya Japan, where my work, was shown for several years. A local company started to print my artwork, on cards and it was exhilarating to see my work, displayed in so many places that I visited such as, Butchard Gardens, Van Dusen Gardens etc. Just as I was making a name for myself, I was severely stricken with Systemic Lupus. As a result I began experiencing a lack of energy, among other things, so many changes had to be made in my life. No longer did I have the energy to paint for a whole day, as I was used to, and when I was too ill I sometimes could not paint for weeks on end. To balance things out: I changed my work habits and style. I began to work in a more detailed fashion. Now, whenever my strength permits, I start a painting and work, on it for four to six weeks, approximately, until I have completed it. |
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After I have finished a successful painting I am filled with such joy and a greater sense of self-worth, which I have found can be easily lost when one has a chronic illness. While I paint I find that I live in the beauty and colour of my subject and forget all of my troubles. I like to convey a feeling of joy and tranquility with my paintings.
Some of my artwork is hanging in Western and Eastern Canada, the United States, Germany, Spain and Japan. RECENT SOLO EXHIBITIONS Munich, Germany Schweinfurt, Germany North Vancouver City Hall ... (arranged by the Arts Counsel) Galleria Gordana, Langley B.C. Arts in Public Places, N. Vancouver Make Gallery, Nagoya, Japan Federation of Canadian Artists ... (50th Anniversary Juried Exhibition) West Vancouver Memorial Library Seymour Art Gallery, N. Vancouver |
Howe Sound View 18" x 24" for more samples of the work Gerhilde Stulken please click here |
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Gerhilde Stulken is part of the 'Purple Banner Art Studio Tour' #23 on the map |
Private Viewings Available phone: (604) 885-2256 or 
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or visit www.gerhildesart.net.ms
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