Ellen's Teddy Bear

As a child living in Hamburg, Germany, Ellen received an antique teddy bear from a neighbor. Her mother dressed him up with a homemade sweater and pants with suspenders. Teddy stayed close to Ellen through the war years and travelled with her on the boat to America. More than a toy, he has had a place of honor in the Topelmann household ever since.

Karsten decided to pay homage to Teddy by painting this warm and colorful portrait in oil.  Here Teddy poses with the Topelmann's cherished collection of German children's storybooks. Notice that Teddy is proudly pointing to a page featuring his own portait. Incidentally, the artist's signature is cleverly incorporated in the painting on the spine of the red book. Translated, it says: painted by Karsten Topelmann. 16 " x 20". 

Swimming away

Karsten painted these young geese as they paddled across the Tauber River in Detwang, Germany.
Looks like the young ones actually believe they can escape the watchful eyes of their parents. But they'll learn. Notice how the old stone bridge's reflection seems to dance in the sparkling waters on this sunny day.
20" x 24"  Oil

Historic Anderson Dock in Winter

In this oil painting Karsten catches the morning sun as it lights up Ephraim's popular Anderson Dock on Eagle Harbor. You can see Peninsula State Park's Eagle Bluff and Horseshoe Island in the misty distance.  30" x 20".$1,800.

City, Gate and Church

Inside the village gate, the town is bustling with all sorts of fun activities. Ellen's charming acrylic painting captures all the excitement. There's even a sleepy rowboat waiting patiently for the arrival of Spring.
20" x 24". $3,600. 

Castle Gate in Rothenburg, Germany

In this delightfully detailed acrylic painting, Ellen depicts a moody Sunday afternoon with moms, dads, children and the family dogs all enjoying the freshly fallen snow outside the Castle Gate.
30" x 24"

Warmth of Winter

The evening blues contrast with the warm and welcoming lights of a Door County home in this scene Karsten discovered on ice-covered Green Bay in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. It's easy to imagine a joyous mood inside the house--a homecoming celebration waiting to happen.  24" x 30". $3,000

Historic Ephraim Home

You can almost feel the summer breeze off Eagle Harbor in Karsten's colorful portrait of the home of Reverend Andrew Iverson, Ephraim's founder. Rev. Iverson built this house for himself in 1853. Constructed in traditional Norwegian style it was used for worship. Believe it or not, it had a barn for animals on the lower level. 30x24" Oil on linen. $2,800.

A Moment to Meditate

A hand-carved madonna and child, crafted in Munich, is the focal point of Karsten's creative still life setting, A vision of contrasting textures and complementary colors highlighted by the radiant floral display reflecting in the mirror-like metallic vase. 24" x 30". Oil on linen. $2,500