Blue Hydrangea - a Rilke tribute

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Blue Hydrangea - a Rilke tribute

- Page 19 of my new sketchbook project: 




SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm
PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed


2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER


Find me on INSTAGRAM.



Like the last green in the painter’s pail
are these leaves; dry, dull, rough
behind the blue blossoms, a blue not borne
but reflected from above.
A reflection, both exact and approximate,
a desire, soon to be shed,
as old, blue-lined paper
fades yellow, then violet and grey;

Fades like an apron,
unworn,
of no use anymore.
In this do you feel the shortness of Life?
But suddenly blue shines new
in one blossom,
and you see the blue hue
drunk with green joy.


A rare Rilke poem ending with optimism — resurrection and connection — a flower drunk with joy!





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Something Sweet!

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Something Sweet


SIZE: 14,5 cm x 14,5 cm - 5,7" x 5,5"
PAINTING GROUND: WOODEN BORD 3 mm

2026 © ISABELLA KRAMER



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I remembered I hadn't painted a cat in a long time, so I corrected that. This portrait of my kitty Coralie @coralie_and_xenia is painted on a cradled wooden panel, ground with standard wall paint. And I like the result very much. Not so much the vertical lines, but I’ll pay attention to that next time.




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Flatford Mill, East Bergholt, Suffolk

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Flatford Mill, East Bergholt, Suffolk



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


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My contribution for the July 2026 Challenge at

Oliver Pyle & Edo Hannema Watercolor Group




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Sehnsucht nach dem Meer

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Sehnsucht nach dem Meer
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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. 

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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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The Hans Christian Andersen moment

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The Hans Christian Andersen Moment

- Page 17 of my new sketchbook project: 




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.

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