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My contribution for the July 2026 Challenge at
Oliver Pyle & Edo Hannema Watercolor Group
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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In German, we call this bird a "Zaunkönig"
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