This is a time-lapse view of Wallfahrtskirche Maria (The Pilgrimage Church of Mary) in Attersee, Austria. I started this 24" x 48" painting in late January, 2018. (tap on photo to view)
This region of Austria—known as The Salzkammergut—is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The great Austrian painter Gustav Klimpt spent his summers around this lake, and painted here frequently in the early 1900s. Scenes from "The Sound of Music" were filmed nearby. It is peaceful, alluring and timeless.
The lake in this painting is Lake Attersee, and the church is called 'Wallfahrtskirche Maria', or The Pilgrimage Church of Mary. It is a landmark in the town of Attersee. The church was built in the 15th century, but as early as the 6th century, a Bavarian duke held court on this hill.
I first visited this region in 1984, when I was a student at the University of Northern Iowa, and returned again to the nearby town of Bad Ischl, to sing with the UNI Men's Glee Club in 1988.
In 2012, I was fortunate to return yet again. This time, I hired a taxi driver to make the 45 minute drive from Salzburg. He drove me all around the lake, while I took photos like a mad man. I'm sure the taxi driver thought I was indeed a crazy American. But he seemed grateful for the work. He told me that he and his wife had a new baby at home. I gladly paid the driver €90, plus a €10 tip, for transporting me to this idyllic place. It was well worth it.
I understand why Gustav Klimpt created so many paintings around Attersee. It is a captivating, charming and stunningly beautiful place. In many ways, this area is the same as it was 100 years ago. I am very taken by this part of Austria, and like Klimpt, I plan to make more paintings of it.