Artist

Brigitte Gautschi’s life journey has been an exploration of her dreams and visions.  She believes in continuous self-exploration and has found that it is through her creative development that she has discovered a peace that provides an artistic and spiritual freedom.  By seeking her own path to her life purpose, Brigitte has discovered further fulfillment by helping others to achieve such liberation and happiness.

As a child, Brigitte remembers painting in every free minute. She explains that she had to paint to tell others what she had seen, experienced and felt.  She was an eager student of art and earned her degree from the Bielefeld Art School in Germany.  She believes the subjects and techniques used in her art derive from her soul as opposed to her intellect.  Whether it is landscapes or portraiture, Brigitte explains “I paint the way I feel it”.  The style of the work is ever-changing and inspired by her feelings.  It is Brigitte’s hope that her work can inspire emotion from the viewer and stimulate a soulful connection to the artist.

In addition to her formal art training, Brigitte has professional training in color therapy, Aura Soma and Bach flowers.  She also has a degree from the International Institute of Hand Analysis.  She enjoys using her trainings, in combination with artistic expression, to work with individuals to find their life path and destiny.

Brigitte has private galleries in Rockland, Maine and Engelberg Switzerland.  Each gallery also serves as an education center to inspire creative development.  Not only do these galleries give her the opportunity to fulfill her lifelong dream of displaying her paintings to the public, she has the opportunity to reach the public by offering a variety of individual or group art classes and workshops that help students learn to express themselves artistically.

Brigitte enjoys a peaceful and creative life.   When she’s not painting, she is thoroughly enjoying time with her two beloved dogs. Brigitte splits her time between the mountains of Switzerland and the woods of Maine.

“I firmly believe that in each of us a creative potential lies just waiting to be discovered.  If we welcome this aspect of our being and embark on the experience of artistic expression, this will be transmitted to our world in every day life.  We will find a new way to perceive, be free in dealing with other people and develop more self-esteem and self-confidence.  As a basis for our creative growth we will create an atmosphere of trust and security.  We can work forces greater than ourselves.”

– Brigitte Gautschi

A PROJECT OF PASSION

As we continue our busy lives, it is sometimes easy to overlook the importance of giving something back. And who gives us more than mother nature herself?

In 1982 Hans and Brigitte Gautschi traveled to the United States on one of their vacations from Switzerland, eventually finding the property that would start them off on their quest to create the Ducktrap Wildlife Preserve. The land they first purchased in 1982 and the wildlife it supported spoke to them in many powerful ways. Brigitte is an artist. For her the land invoked mythic images, and the natural subjects were symbiotically combined onto her canvasses. Hans was a third-generation industrialist. For him the land provided the opportunity to engage in the hands-on improvements of reclaiming blueberry lands, planting American Chestnut trees and enhancing the wildlife habitat. Both immensely enjoyed just walking about the lands and observing nature.

In the 1990’s Brigitte and Hans became increasingly aware of the development pressures then hitting the mid-coast of Maine. They worried about what uncontrolled growth might do to their sanctuary and the idea of a wildlife preserve was born. They purchased several parcels from developers just as major subdivisions were being planned. Hans then began contacting his neighbors and working out contracts of sale or rights of first refusal. By the summer of 1996 over 600 acres had been added to their original purchase. Rather than just keeping the land for themselves, Hans and Brigitte announced the creation of the Ducktrap Wildlife Preserve and an endowment to support the ongoing work. The Preserve would insure the protection of the land in perpetuity for the benefit of wildlife, nature and the enjoyment of future generations.

After Hans’ passing in 2003, Brigitte and her beloved dogs have continued their annual voyage to their cherished home in Maine.  Brigitte was elected as the President of the Board of Directors of the Ducktrap Wildlife Preserve and has persevered in this role with great passion and a pioneering spirit. And she continues to create.  The forest, the animals, the waterways and the serenity of the Ducktrap Wildlife Preserve all continue to serve as the muse for Brigitte’s artistic expression.