"I want to paint the way the bird sings", Claude Monet.

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This is a favorite quote that expresses the joy of painting and the spontaneity and creativity I seek to express in my art.  I feel very fortunate to live in Colorado with its beautiful scenery, spectacular skies, and tucked-away farms and homesteads. I am most grateful for the open, unspoiled places that surround us and for the creatures that inhabit them.

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I work in oil, pastel, mixed media, and on silk, enjoying the bright, vivid colors and textures these mediums provide. Working in different mediums helps to keep my art fresh and exciting.  Light and the way it affects color are what often draw me to a particular subject. Sometimes, however, it can be a particular mood, such as the peaceful tranquility of a mountain meadow, the energy of a windswept sky, or the innocence and resilience of a small bird.

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Over the years, my art is becoming increasingly abstract. I try to capture a sense of place and reflection, of fleeting moments in time.  My abstracted landscapes, of places real or imagined, offer vivid colors that are applied intuitively and strive to be peaceful and uplifting.

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You can see more paintings and silk scarves on my website, www.astridpaustian.com; and at several galleries, including the Art Center of Estes Park , various venues within the NoBo Art District, and at my home studio.