.png)
By Pipka
When I traveled to Germany throughout the 70's, 80's and 90's, one of the things I loved to do was to visit local folk-art museums. It was viewing history and a long-ago way of life for, specifically, the farmer and laborer. In the 17th and 18th centuries people had fewer possessions but still wanted to make their homes look cozy and nice. One way to do that was to paint and decorate their furniture (there was no wallpaper then, you see). Chairs, tables, beds, walls and even ceilings were painted in bright folk art flowers and scenes, adding warmth and comfort to the home.
These visits greatly inspired me. With each trip I returned home with a big, heavy book of painted furniture from regions throughout the country. I poured over the designs, intricate and primitive, subdued and bright, each telling a story.
And now the story is coming full circle. Once again, decades later, I am revisiting these books and being inspired the second time around. I love the patterns and colors on the furniture pieces. This is Happy art! And I am happy to be back in my studio painting in the Bauernmalerei style. I'm even re-visiting my own book, Bauernmalerei, and being transported back to our trip through Bavaria, painting and dining with local artists.
