An Artist, An Influence

Karsten Topelmann on the heels of Vincent van Gogh painting en plein air in southern France in 1958.

Throughout my life I have had more than one artist open my eyes to the visual world of painting. It was especially my father, an architect, who first influenced my artistic endeavors. On our many family hikes, he always carried paper, watercolor paints and brushes. As soon as he would sit down to capture a certain scene, I was next to him watching the painting develop with fascination. How fun to be able to control color and style to create an image with ease!

The following artists influenced me in other ways. While growing up in Munich, Germany, we often went to view art in the prestigious museums in town. I could see and admire the detailed and realistic oil paintings of Albrecht Dürer, the great German Renaissance artist. Most inspiring to me were the watercolors from his trips to Italy – almost modern interpretations of scenery in vivid colors and in an unusually refreshing style. The next artist that influenced me was Van Gogh. His post-impressionistic canvases showed me his intensity of feeling. However, I was most impressed with what he accomplished with his simple, black quillpen drawings of landscapes and flowers. It made me realize how creativity and keen observation can capture anything and make it come alive. An additional artist who I consider very influential is Picasso, because he was able to move from style to style with ease. I too find pleasure and excitement in varying medium and theme according to mood, temperament and subject matter.

Karsten Topelmann was born in Munich, Germany and inherited his interest in art from his architect father and sculptress mother. He received his schooling in Munich and his art education at the Royal Academy of Art. Karsten travelled extensively throughout Europe to hone his sketching and painting skills. After coming to the United States Karsten worked as graphic designer and art director in Davenport, Iowa and Chicago. In 1972 he relocated with his family to Door County as a full time painter and opened the Hanseatic Art Gallery with his wife Ellen, who is also an accomplished artist.

Hanseatic Art Gallery is located at 3060 Highway Q in Ephraim. For more information call 920.854.4312 or email [email protected].

The Peninsula Pulse has partnered with the Hardy Gallery to present the series, “An Artist, An Influence.” For more information about The Hardy, call 920.421.2595, email [email protected] or visit http://www.thehardy.org.