“The Devil Is in the Details…” watercolors by Harald Aksdal is the latest exhibit to be hung in the University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center lobby art gallery.
Harald Aksdal was originally an architect but switched careers to become a watercolorist and illustrator and never looked back. He is now a celebrated member of the Vermont Watercolor Society and was the invited speaker for their 2012 Spring Conference where he spoke about New and Exciting Painting Techniques.Watercolor Magazine also did a feature article about Harald and his technique entitled “Pen and Brush, Line and Wash.” He exhibited in the National Exhibition of American Watercolors Realism in Nature & Adirondacksshow in 2011. He has received numerous awards for his work including Best Still Life in the 2011 Vermont Watercolor Society Juried Exhibit for his painting Gordian Knot.
“My early work focused on details — respecting each individual line, dot, burl, and blade of grass,” said Harald. “In my current work I find myself moving gradually from the how to the what. Still respecting each detail, I follow the concept that the Devil is in the details, God is in the details, and Life is in the details. My art has become my spiritual path. Each painting builds upon and adds to the paintings that came before — improving and challenging my technique (the how) while adding to and building upon the Spirit (the what)...leading to infinity.”
Aksdal also is an accomplished children’s book illustrator. His “Holy Cows” was written by IlamaeV. W. Lund and is the story of a special Christmas for a little girl and her single mom who operate a small farm during the depression. His second, “Marvelous Jim” includes 10 paintings by Harald that tell the story, written by Jennie Nolette, of Sam the snake, and Jim the frog. He has other projects waiting their turn at his drawing board.
Harald Aksdal lives and paints in Fairfax, Vermont. “The Devil Is in the Details…” is on display at UVMHN-CVMC until June 26, 2015 and also on his website www.aksdalart.com . His email is aksdal@myfairpoint.net
