Anna Poelstra Traga Painting

Beatrix, Queen of the Netherlands

Although there have been speculations about Queen Beatrix abdicating from the throne of the Netherlands for several years the news that it actually is going to happen came as a great surprise to all of us. Queen Beatrix turns 75 on January the 31st and on the occasion of that crown year I have painted an oil portrait of the Queen. Happy Birthday dear Queen and thank you very much for having been a perfect queen for thirty three years!

Freylemaborg in Autumn reflected in the moat

When I look at my landscape paintings I see that my Greek landscapes show all four seasons , while my Dutch landscapes are mostly paintings of my home country in Autumn or Winter. Usually I spend a few weeks with my family in Holland at the end of Fall, so most of my landscape paintings of the Groningen countryside are done when the trees are without leaves.
Trees form an inexhaustible source of inspiration in any landscape at any season.
I did this watercolor painting several years ago. It is one of my favorites because it shows my home country at its best. The vague mustard yellow contours of the trees that still bear leaves are in perfect contrast with the sharp dark silhouettes of the leafless trees and the warm orange brick stone walls are being reflected in the cool blue water of the moat whereas the white building in the center forms a neutral and and the same time unifying element.