Nature Spirits 

In the traditions of European folk beliefs, the inspired nature with its kingdoms of spirits plays an important role. Fairies, mermaids and dwarfs, goblins, beast and tree spirits populate this universe in various appearances. They show themselves in hidden places, in the spark of light on the water surface, between the leaves and in the forest. They live in the trees and are gardiens of plants and landscapes.

“Respect the tree,
he is a great miracle
and he was holy to your ancestors. “

Alexander von Humboldt (1769 -1859)

At thetime when landscapes and forests are more and more destroyed, my paintings reflect this hidden world and its richness. My photographs are made in a small  remote valley in Brittany, near an ancient dancing place of fairies, marked by a menhir. At this hidden place, on the surface of a small stream, the spirits move and appear between the atmospheres of water, light and trees.

The ways of the elves (Irish fairy tales. Grimm Brothers. 1825)

“Under the water lies a land as good as the top where the sun shines. Only much more splendid and shining, which is inhabited by happy elves.. If one has found the right spot on the shore of the lake, at the right moment, one can see all these glories with eyes. It is the land of youth, because time has no power there. On certain days, with rising sun, these elves appear on the surface of the water, glittering in the utmost splendor and in all the colors of the rainbow. They move a certain way on the water, until they finally disappear in the fog.“

Artist    

Jutta Ströter-Bender is a spiritual artist. She studied arts, history and education in Frankfurt / Main, Germany. After sucessful stations in art, science and universities as a professor for art (painting), she lives now in a region called  in ancient times „The old land“. Her studio is located in a former village school, on the site of a very old monastery. This was lost and destroyed in the Middle Ages, but its sacred traces and spiritual atmosphere is still vibrant.

The artists work is deeply rooted in the spiritual traditions and mythology of ancient Europe. Her intention is to explore an artistic way of imagening the world between heaven and earth, to create spaces of extensive inspiration„

„My art is a form of visual archeology of the spiritual world views from earlier periods until today.  The paintings are created with subtile layers of different colours, a long process that takes time and silence. Their strong presence opposes a fast perception, they change colours, shades and details in different light conditions during the day. I want to address a message of respect and adoration for the reign of the spirits of nature and angels in the divine universe.“