On his 104th birthday:

Two books are complete, showing select works by Fritz that were done in the 10 years spent living in southern Germany. There were many idyllic landscapes to capture and many wonderful friends sitting to have their portrait painted. Over 500 of the remaining works from 1958 to 1968 have been documented, sorted and scanned, and the best are now published in two 40 page books. He would be thrilled to see his works in print like that!

10 years later

As the 10th anniversary of Fritz's peaceful passing approaches, on March 5th, it's delightful to notice his memory and works are alive around the world. A most recent discovery was a 1979 publication of The Green & White that had a favourite Saskatoon watercolour on the back. Quite a different view from what the same motif would look like today!














Not long before that, a German news story on the Nikolaiviertel, reported on the postwar rebuilding of this historic area in the heart of the city of Berlin. A brochure of sketches was briefly shown, that turned out to be the ones done by Fritz when working in nearby Halle, for an architect's firm. Thank you for noticing Thomas!

The significance of that commission work was much more than rebuilding proposals, however. It was during these trips from eastern Germany to sketch in west Berlin that allowed Fritz the opportunity to prepare for the eventual escape of the young family to western Germany.

Amazing family history, and more evidence of the power of the 'paintbrush' as a tool of survival.

Happy New Year, Happy 2018!

Halle, Saale, Germany, painted in the 1950s

2018 can be considered a significant year for the Stehwien family as it marks a number of anniversaries. It was 60 years ago that the uprooting of a young artist family was undertaken, in a large and secretive move, or escape, from the former East Germany. The move to the West was due to political reasons and led into an uncertain future for all.
The very picturesque city of Halle was left behind, as were many friends, belongings and many precious paintings. Some of the works, including the one pictured here, were recovered more than 30 years later. An incredible story and incredible treasures.

Doeffingen in the Swabian Valleys

50 years ago, a less secretive uprooting was in the works, from the beautiful Swabian valleys across the ocean to Canada, in the fall of 1968. All along, the paintings captured this Stehwien family history and the many stops along the way.

Saskatoon, Canada, painted in the late 1960s