“Nature is worth painting” – a tribute to the Rhön

Festive vernissage at the opening of Herbert Lochner’s exhibition “Nature is worth painting” – words of an artist who is considered a likeable and modest person in his work, his creations and his life, but who first became known to the public in the Rhön through his facade paintings. In his 2nd exhibition in the Anneliese-Deschauer-Galerie Geisa after 5 years, Herbert Lochner shows impressive works that were created during this time. Many guests at the very well attended vernissage on November 22 were able to view the 36 Rhön landscapes and purchase them in good time as Christmas presents.

Through the eyes of the artist Pictures showing the magnificent, unspoilt Rhön – the Pferdskopf, the Baier, the view of Geisa, but also moorland landscapes can be seen impressively through the eyes of the artist. Lochner, who had always enjoyed painting and drawing, initially had to turn down a place at the Leipzig Academy of Art because his father wanted him to learn a “proper profession” first. So he trained as a skilled worker for control and regulation technology at the potash plant. But he couldn’t let go of painting. He remained true to his passion in the Merkers painting and drawing circle and later became a freelance artist with his own studio in Dorndorf.

Ambassador of the Rhön The laudator Anja Meyfarth, who had traveled all the way from Gotha, described him as a passionate ambassador of the Rhön. Lochner’s pictures tell stories, he captures the Rhön in his pictures and brings it to life. Stories of sunbeams dancing through the trees, the little butterfly on a Rhön thistle and dew on a rose hip – discovered and greatly enlarged, but incredibly realistic, showing the precious little wonders of everyday life. Meyfarth and Lochner have a long-standing friendship and a shared love of elementary aspects of nature. Meyfarth herself works and lives in nature, as a forester, hiking guide, wood sculptor and herbalist.

Painting for Hospice Center One work, however, stands out from the nature and landscape paintings. The large-format and colorful painting no. 34 “Animals in Danger” is presented this evening as a donation by the artist for the Hospice Center Bad Salzungen/Rhön. Heike Fritzsche accepts the gift with grateful words, which will find a worthy place for the children in the “Haus Lichtblick”.

The work of the outpatient hospice service is incredibly important and valuable. For many years, there has been regular cooperation between the support association and the hospice in supporting bereavement work, especially for children. Astrid Weimann-Heim in particular supports these children with creative workshops in the Anneliese-Deschauer-Galerie. And so the arc of this collaboration spans – nature and children must be preserved, they are our future.

Rhönlied intoned as blues Doris Heim (Chairwoman of the Förderverein Kunst, Kultur und Wissenschaft Geisa e.V.) and Sylvia Möller (moderator) skillfully lead through the vernissage and also had a fine hand with the musical selection. Uli Göb, music teacher, bar pianist and known to many as a solo entertainer, showed a different side to the theme of the exhibition. His interpretation of well-known pieces in jazz style and in particular the Rhönlied intoned as blues impressed many guests. Music and images form a harmony, uplifting the atmosphere. An evening that makes the love for the homeland and the Rhön visible and audible to all guests. The exhibition will end on Friday, 20.12.2024, from 3-5 pm with a public finissage and can be viewed until then during the opening hours of the gallery and at the Geisa Christmas market (14/15.12.2024). With this in mind, “What a wonderful world…” – Our Rhön. A. Neisse