Astrid Paustian says," 'I want to paint the way the bird sings' is my favorite quote by Claude Monet. From large sweeping skyscapes to small whimsical portraits of birds and flowers, I love to paint it all.  What excites me most about painting is light and color.  It is often what draws me to a particular subject.  Color and light emphasize the subject and add mystery.  They can express mood and evoke powerful emotions.  I work in oil, pastel and on silk, enjoying many pigments and textures.  I think working in different mediums helps to keep my art fresh and exciting.  You can see more of my paintings and silk scarves on my web site www.adtridpaustian.com and at several galleries, including the Art Center of Estes Park, the Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery, and the Foothills Art Center in Golden."