By Gayle Wheatley June 28, 2009

I happened across the work of German artist, Bernd Koberling on a recent trip to Iceland. His paintings absolutely sent me swooning. Although not originally from Iceland, Koberling, who was born in Berlin, travels and lives between Iceland and Germany. His plein air watercolor landscapes done on location in northern Iceland capture the vibrancy of the country spot on.

Koberling’s work has an iconic Icelandic spirit that ties him aesthetically to much of the modern art and design being produced by contemporary Icelandic artists, while at the same time remaining true to the diverse and rugged landscapes of Iceland, reflected through his use of rich colors and daring brush strokes. From nature’s wilderness to the sleek white walls of Reykjavík museums, Koberling’s powerful impressions leave lasting impressions of unique grandeur, which resonate across farms and fjords to Iceland’s contemporary art scene.