Barn Wood Distelfink Hex
by Hanne Lore Koehler
Title
Barn Wood Distelfink Hex
Artist
Hanne Lore Koehler
Medium
Painting - Acrylic + Digital
Description
The double Distelfink (bird) hex is a symbol of good luck and family happiness. The tulips are a sign of faith and hope and, of course, the heart is the symbol for love. I have done a little digital work to refine my dad's design and co-ordinate with his other Pennsylvania Dutch hex designs and added some barn wood texture.
An important part in the culture and traditions of the German settlers that created their new home in America and Canada in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were the folk art style designs referred to as hex signs. The Pennsylvania Dutch decorated their farmhouses inside and out with these hand-painted geometric designs, painting them on many household items, above doorways and on their barns. The elements that make up the designs all had special meanings from the individual colors and patterns to the birds or "Distelfinks", hearts, leaves and stars. It was their belief that these designs would bring blessings and good fortune to the home and family in the form of good luck, fertility, love, happiness, good health and many other desirable wishes. Today Dutch Hex Signs are enjoyed by people around the world who hang them on their sheds, homes, barns and garages, above doorways, in workshops, and many other locations.
In the 1980's, my dad, Otto Werner (1923 - 1991) was commissioned to design and paint a series of 24 panels to be mounted as part of the Waterloo Ontario Heritage TIME TELLER GAZEBO that illustrated some of the Pennsylvania Dutch Hex designs featured on many of the old Mennonite barns in the region. Each of these unique hex designs was incorporated into the gazebo design directly under the eaves. This is one of the 24 hex designs of the TIME TELLER GAZEBO now being offered as reproduction canvas, acrylic and art prints - an excellent addition to your country kitchen decor! Wonderful folk art for a European deli or German Cafe!
Uploaded
December 21st, 2019
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Comments (6)
Nancy Griswold
The hex signs series you have made is so interesting and really beautiful, each one, I never new about them before FAV+
Meg Shearer
I love this! Your father's work is so beautiful, and I love what you've done here with the wood!
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