Sehnsucht nach dem Meer

 .

Sehnsucht nach dem Meer
______
Longing for the Sea

SIZE: 15,7 in. x 15,7 in. - 40 x 40 cm
PAPER: GUARDI ARTISTICO - TORCHON 300 g/m²

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH WATERCOLORS

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Find me on INSTAGRAM

Jedes Jahr zu dieser Zeit überkommt mich eine unsagbare Sehnsucht nach dem Meer und weil es in diesem Sommer wohl nicht klappen wird, dorthin zu fahren, male ich mich eben ans Meer. 

______

Every year at this time, I am overcome by an indescribable longing for the sea, and because I probably won't be able to go there this summer, I just paint myself by the sea.

.

The Hans Christian Andersen moment

 .

The Hans Christian Andersen Moment

- Page 17 of my new sketchbook project: 

The Secret Garden

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Find me on INSTAGRAM.

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly,

"one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."

This beloved line comes from his 1861 fairy tale titled simply "The Butterfly". It explores the idea that simply existing isn't fulfilling; true life requires joy (sunshine), independence (freedom), and beauty (a little flower). You can read the full, original text of this classic tale on the Hans Christian Andersen Center website.

.

Lotus Fountain

 .

Lotus Fountain

- Page 16 of my new sketchbook project: 

The Secret Garden

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Find me on INSTAGRAM.

This year is a water year in my garden. I have created two mini ponds, which work really well. We have had a few small fountains for years. Birds, hedgehogs, and small and bigger frogs have enjoyed them. Surely not the best page in the project, but I like to show the whole sketchbook. I learned a lot from it.

Lawn Fungi

 .

Lawn Fungi

- Page 15 of my new sketchbook project: 

The Secret Garden

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Find me on INSTAGRAM.

The unwelcome visitors in our garden. Our lawn was always a problem area, since the tall, old oaks—combined with the intense sunlight—made it almost impossible to grow a healthy lawn.

.

The little King

 .

The little King

- Page 14 of my new sketchbook project: 

The Secret Garden

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Find me on INSTAGRAM.

In German, we call this bird a "Zaunkönig" 

.

Life is just a bowl of cherries

 .

Life is just a Bowl of Cherries

- Page 13 of my new sketchbook project: 

The Secret Garden

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Find me on INSTAGRAM.

Whenever I eat cherries, I think of my grandfather. I surely inherited my fondness for cherries from him. He had an incredible variety of cherry cultivars in his magnificent garden, and I associate these memories with the carefree summers of my childhood.

.