Retired Berlin resident Bernd Ostehr has found a unique way to relive his vacation memories – by transforming them into vivid paintings that capture the essence of his travels. The 68-year-old hobby painter from Mahlsdorf has turned his small studio into a gateway to distant lands, where he recreates the gentle hills of Tuscany, the fragrant cypress groves, and the narrow cobblestone streets of places like Massa Marittima that he once explored with his wife.
"For me, it feels like I'm experiencing the trips all over again," says Ostehr, who now has time for artistic pursuits that his former career as a construction equipment operator never allowed. His process begins with simple pencil sketches, establishing the basic structure before applying warm earth tones like ochre and terracotta with careful brushstrokes. Each painting session becomes a journey back in time, intensifying his memories of nature, architecture, and encounters with local people.
The self-taught artist finds inspiration in the smallest details that others might overlook. An ornate door lock in Brittany, vibrant geraniums blooming on an Italian facade, or a chance conversation with locals on stone steps in the Croatian city of Šibenik – all become elements that careful observers can discover within his artwork. "It's easier to paint when you have a personal connection to the subject," explains the Mahlsdorf resident, who is often surprised by the memories that resurface during his creative process.
Ostehr's artistic journey has taken him from private garden exhibitions during the "KUNST: offen!" (Art: Open!) events in Marzahn-Hellersdorf to his first extended solo exhibition. Despite his modest insistence that he's "just a hobby painter," his wife encouraged him to share his work with a broader audience, believing that others should enjoy the beautiful paintings and perhaps awaken their own travel memories. Her inquiry at the Ehm Welk Central Library led to the current exhibition opportunity.
The exhibition, titled "Memories in Color – Compositions with Acrylic, Watercolor, and Pastel," features 40 paintings showcasing various styles, techniques, and materials including landscapes, town squares, buildings, and seascapes. Anna-Lena Wiesmann from the library notes that they have been providing exhibition space for artists since 2003, and visitors have consistently praised Ostehr's current display. "It touches me when people express any opinion about art, because everyone has different tastes," reflects the artist.
Ostehr inherited his artistic talent from his father and has been expressing his feelings and experiences through art since childhood. While he enjoys other hobbies like volleyball and motorcycle riding, painting remains his greatest passion. He considers it the best way to process experiences and make beautiful, often overlooked details visible – like bright red poppies nearly crushed by bushes or plump water droplets hanging from a branch.
As a self-taught artist, Ostehr learned his craft independently, lacking time for formal classes during his working years. He continues to prefer solo exploration, drawing inspiration from internet resources and visiting art exhibitions during his travels to pick up new techniques. Currently, he's working on two vacation-inspired pieces: one featuring old half-timbered houses in Alsace and another depicting a landscape scene in a park.
The exhibition runs through November 26, 2025, at the Ehm Welk Central Library located at Alte Hellersdorfer Straße 125 in Berlin. Visitors can view the collection during library hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1 PM to 7 PM, and Wednesday and Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Admission is free, allowing anyone to experience these travel memories transformed into art.
