GERLINDE HAFNER

(ACRYLIC)

Artist Statement

          My paintings show my personal interpretation and view of nature's beauty. I simply follow my heart during my creative process. I love to capture the luminosity and enhance the vibrant colors of Mediterranean, Caribbean and Floridian land-and seascapes.  I wish to convey an optimistic attitude, a sense of well-being, peace and joy of life to the viewer of my fantasy landscapes, inviting him to serene contemplation and meditation.

          Gerlinde Hafner was born and educated in Vienna, Austria. As a child and young girl, Hafner had to sit for her mother, who was a very gifted portrait and landscape painter. Thus she learned everything about oil painting from scratch. Hafner loved to do portraits in charcoal and pastel in her teenage years. During her business career and while raising her two children she had no time for painting.   One day she found her mother's oil paints and brushes in the attic and thought she would like to give it another try and liked it. Then Hafner started silk painting.

          Hafner’s greatest hobby has always been travelling and as oil paintings never dried on her travels, she started to paint in acrylics. After having travelled extensively all over the world for many years, she now lives in Rotonda, Florida.

          Hafner has studied with renowned artists in Vienna, Austria, Ft. Myers, Florida, Venice, Florida and at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. Her work has been exhibited in numerous shows in Europe and the United States and is in many private and corporate collections internationally. Hafner teaches European Style Silk Painting Workshops.