In the old baroque city of Eichstätt in Bavaria, Germany, where Austrian-born artist Ernst Arnold Bauer has his studio and gallery, he is known as “the paradise bird” .According to him, it’s because he doesn’t “fit”.Is it his dress? His style is distinctive, and embellished with plenty of bling rings on almost every finger, rows of necklaces, including pearls and beads, and decks of bangles and bracelets on both wrists.Is it his hair? Ash blonde to grey, and falling beyond his shoulders at 60-plus?Or is it his conversation which, undoubtedly influenced by intensive study of Eastern and occidental philosophy and mysticism, places him in a different orbit to the average Joe?There is no definitive answer at least not from him so perhaps it is a combination of all three.Or is it? Ask the artist where he comes from and the reply is always: “I come from heaven.”Ask him what his work is about and the answer is: “Art pure.”In fact, his exhibition opening in the Windjammer II Gallery at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess this weekend is entitled ‘Art pure Transreal’.For those unfamiliar with the term ‘art pure’, Mr. Bauer is happy to explain.“We go a step higher than the so-called illusionary. We start from the top. Artists go straight to the transcendent reality and bring it down while the rest of the world is working their way up.”Thus: “I come from heaven.”Confused? Never mind. Whatever impression you might have formed thus far of the gentleman, you should know that he is a very successful international artist who has exhibited in Germany, Austria, the US, and Britain. In fact, his exhibition of 54 nudes in London was chosen by the normally tough-as-nails British critics as a must-see event. He is also a regular participant in London, England’s Chelsea Art Fair.Mr Bauer has previously exhibited at Masterworks and Kaleidoscope, and also lectured at the Bermuda National Gallery.He works in acrylics, oil and watercolours, and defines his style as “contemporary”.“I am walking on the edge of abstract and realism I combine them together.”The artist began working on paintings for this week’s exhibition during last year’s visit to the Island, and since returning this year has continued to produce more work. In all, he will show “between 13 and 15” pieces, because he doesn’t believe in over-crowding gallery walls.Mr Bauer paints both en plein air and indoors, working day and night when preparing for a show. In fact, it is not unusual for him to paint for 24 or 48 hours non-stop, pausing only occasionally for a coffee or snack.As a painter, he loves the clarity of Bermuda’s light, which inspires him to paint boldly.“The good part in Bermuda is that I can paint in such strong colours bright, clear colours. Like the Impressionists, it is all about light,” he said.“We are so fortunate to live on this planet. It is beautiful. Colours remind us of what we are made of. We came here to realise where we have to go once we put the feet up [for good]. We want to go somewhere where we think it is wonderful, so I just create this beauty of the astral world and the causal world.”In fact, when he is painting Mr Bauer says he is “in heaven”.“I am thinking when I am painting; I think before and after. My work is created by the ocean of all inspiration. It is all about expression when your inner being is visible to the rest of the world they can see what love is all about.”By ‘love’, the artist says he means not the ‘hello’ variety popularly expressed in the US, but something deeper.“Love is the essence of our creation. It is God who loves us, and we are the essence of that love.”When it comes to defining the image of artists, Mr Bauer says the public has been misled.“Artists are not Bohemians who wander around in their own world, as Hollywood would have us believe, but hard workers. The actual duty of an artist is hard work. Nothing on this planet can make you happy. It is only your inner being which can give you peace of mind.”Certainly, the charming Mr Bauer seems to have plenty of inner peace. He holds up to five exhibitions a year in his Eichstätt gallery, as well as those in other countries, including Bermuda.He may not be Bohemian, but as a conversationalist he is, in polite terms, challenging. Nevertheless, he enjoys meeting the university “professors and eggheads” who regularly visit his German studio just as much as he does the everyday folk who frequent some of his favourite Bermuda haunts.In terms of his wardrobe, Mr Bauer says he is influenced by the great Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci, who was apparently also a fashion icon, and advised the Medici family of Florence, Italy.“Dressing expresses my inner being, and is all about love, beauty and aesthetics. An artist sees aesthetics, except in killing.”‘Art Pure Transreal’ opens Friday and runs through April 1. For more information telephone 295-1783. Admission is free.Useful website: www.art-pure.org