Welcome to Sophie's Nature Art!

Ahoy!

It is dark. The clouds obscure the sky so much that nobody knows whether it is day or night. The wind whistles in the sails and causes the ship to heave (hint for landlubbers: tilt to one side), so that all loose objects leave their place according to gravity and follow the ship as it moves. Even some careless sailors lose their footing and slide across the deck. The ship is driven back and forth by the waves like a nutshell. The experienced sailors try everything to get the ship safely through the storm. But some of them suspect the worst. The ship is going to sink... 

A young sailor remembers a story that an old sea dog once told him on another stormy night. He said that if the ship was in danger of sinking, a small figure would perch on the jib boom at the front of the ship. So Hans, the young sailor, ran to the bow of the ship. He slid more than he walked or shimmied along the rigging. When he reached the bow, he could actually make out a small figure on the jib boom despite the rain. He was wearing the clothes of a sailor. His red hair was clearly visible through the rain. As Hans stepped closer, he saw that this figure had a pipe in his mouth. He didn't seem to be bothered by the storm, as calmly as he sat on the swaying jib boom. There was no doubt: it was the Klabautermann! 

“Klabautermann, is it true? Is the ship threatening to sink?” Hans shouted through the wind and rain. The figure called back: “It's not too late! Go to the stern, there's a huge leak!” Hans immediately turned around and ran to the other end of the ship. He often slipped on the wet planks and had to hold on to the nearest rope or railing to avoid falling. Finally, he reached the deck and searched for the leak. He quickly found it, as a lot of water was already pouring through the side of the ship and submerging the deck.  

Hans was able to find boards and nails quickly. But where was the hammer? In desperation, Hans took off his shoe and used it to hammer the nails into the planks. Finally, Hans managed to seal the leak and the ship was saved! 

At least that is the story that this children's song tells. The Klabautermann is a superstition of sailors. He is supposed to warn the crew when the ship is in danger. He then appears on deck. Otherwise he lives below deck in his sailor's box. Sometimes he is up to mischief there and rumbles around. If you are lucky enough to see him, you can recognize him by his red hair, his sailor's clothes, his pipe and his hammer.  

Most sailors were afraid of him because his appearance did not bode well. Nevertheless, the nursery rhyme teaches us that we should not be paralyzed by fear, but should take the warning signs seriously and look for a solution to the problem.  

The drawings for this children's song were the order of a dear friend. She wanted to hide a pirate treasure for her daughter's birthday party. The treasure would be the nursery rhyme with my illustrations.  

I kept the pictures very simple as I was a bit pressed for time. I'm currently preparing to move house and the children's birthday party was due to take place in the next few days. But I had a bit of time to think about the song and the pictures. When I found a quiet moment, the pictures were drawn in one evening. My friend had dipped the paper in coffee beforehand to age it. Then she wrote the verses on the individual sheets. I drew a little picture for each verse.  

I've been working on drawing cartoons for a few weeks now. I've had a few ideas and possible projects buzzing around in my head for some time. But I have to learn to draw people better and more authentically. I find that very difficult. That's why I tried my hand at portraits. I always got lost in the details with those. That's why I started with cartoons. You can achieve an interesting effect with just a few strokes. I still have a lot to learn there too, but it's a lot of fun to create people from different shapes and give them emotions and personality.
I already have an idea for a larger project. Here is a first attempt at a drawing of my protagonist: 

I have found that drawing is a great way to relax in the evening. I can sit on my comfy couch with my legs stretched out and swing my pencil comfortably.  

Unfortunately, due to the preparations for the move, I haven't had much time to paint with acrylic. But that should change again very soon. In the next few months, I will hopefully find a bit more time to deepen my hobby. 

Now a little thought at the end. The story of the Klabautermann is a sailor's yarn. The sailors were helplessly at the mercy of the elements. As they could not explain many phenomena, they invented fantastic stories. But this often fed their superstition and made them even more afraid. This fear paralyzed them and sometimes caused a great deal of suffering. We are also living in a very stormy time today. Our world has become like a storm-tossed ship. People are afraid of a virus or the effects of the measures taken to deal with this virus. But we are even more shaken by the images from Ukraine. We see suffering and hardship all around us. Even our own existence is in danger. These are frightening thoughts.  

The Klabautermann warned the ship's crew of an impending sinking. Sailor Hans did not let his fear paralyze him, but reacted and averted the disaster. In the same way, we need have no fear in this world. There is One who is above all these things. In the Bible (Matthew 24)  we read about increasing catastrophes, epidemics and wars at the end of time. But these things need not frighten us, because they have been announced to us so that we can prepare for them. It is possible that we could lose everything we have in this world one day - even our lives. The question is: what will we have left? Are we ready for the afterlife?  

I believe in an eternal life after this life. In a life without selfishness, suffering or death. A universe in which justice prevails. That is what Jesus came to this earth to do. This world will soon be shipwrecked, man cannot save it. But God does not leave us to our own devices. Even before this world was created, he had a solution ready. He gave himself, in Jesus, so that we can have hope for a better life again. By accepting Jesus' sacrifice for me, I am freed from my guilt and can once again look to the future with confidence. 

This view beyond all the horrors of our time gives me hope and the courage to carry on. The global political situation may seem hopeless. But it makes no sense to bury our heads in the sand. Rather, we can do our part to alleviate some of the suffering in the world and bring hope to people.  

Can you see this hope in your life?