Where do you work?

I work in my studio at the Academy of Fine Art in Karlsruhe. The building is a historic structure with a special atmosphere, high ceilings and plenty of light. I share one of the rooms with other students from my class, so there’s actually always someone there to chat to. Once a year, all students at the Art Academy exhibit their work as part of the ‘Rundgang’; for this, all studios are cleared out and transformed into exhibition spaces. In the summer, however, I might sometimes tuck my canvas under my arm and head off into the woods with it for several hours.

How do you work?

I work very impulsively on the canvas. Beforehand, I’ve usually had quite a few images and ideas building up in my head or sketchbook. I like to start by leafing through my sketchbook and letting the moments, figures, lines and words that have gathered there sink in. Sometimes I find myself in a situation and can carry it forward, or it triggers an impulse that I transfer onto the canvas. On other days, I go straight to the canvas and let myself be surprised by what happens. Over the years, I’ve learnt to let go and go with the flow. If I cling too much to the image in my head or to the sketch, it becomes rigid and tense on the canvas. It’s important to me to give myself the freedom to be in the moment so I can bring strong, dynamic lines to the canvas. My process is a mixture of action – pause – reaction. A movement finds its way onto the canvas as colour; I pause briefly, observe and react. Every brushstroke alters the work and its balance.

What materials and techniques do you prefer to work with?

A key question for me is: when is a piece finished? I sometimes find it difficult to step back from the process, in the midst of the painting frenzy, and let the work sink in. I’ve now got to the point where I can decide relatively quickly how to proceed with a piece, or whether it’s finished. Occasionally, a particular piece might keep me occupied for several days or weeks. It’s important to me to give the lines and shapes on the canvas space to breathe and take effect. That’s why I regularly try to step back from the work and ask myself whether and how to proceed.

What role do the colours you use play?

You had an exhibition this summer where you worked on an installation – how did that come about?

This summer

,

I was able to transform the historic greenhouse in the Karlsruhe Botanical Gardens with a fabric installation . As part of a collaboration with the Karlsruhe Academy of Fine Arts, I was given the opportunity to work in and with this incredibly beautiful place . Over the course of two weeks, I painted over a hundred square metres of fabric on site in the greenhouse for my installation. The lengths of fabric were laid out to form a tapestry of paint in the centre of the glass structure and rose upwards to form sculptures. I found it very inspiring to work amidst all the plants and amidst the play of light from the sun and clouds. I always find it a very interesting experience and observation to see how the spaces around me influence me and my work.

Which artist inspires you the most?

I love leafing through art books, especially when they’re interesting to the touch – for example, when the binding or the paper is of a very high quality. I often find old art catalogues at affordable prices in second-hand bookshops, and I rarely pass by the art supplies section at without picking something up. And of course, Instagram plays a big role – I use the app a lot, as it gives you easy access to the latest art scene. But to name a few who have inspired me over the past year: Miram Cahn, Daniel Richter, Sam Gilliam, Marlene Dumas.

Who is your lecturer, and do you work closely with them?

What do you get up to outside of your studies?

I enjoy doing sport. In the summer, you’ll find me out on the tennis court or out jogging in the woods.

How did you get involved with the Student Art Market and what has been your experience?

I was contacted a few years ago by Erich, the founder of the Student Art Market – but at that time I was no longer a student. To be able to present and sell your work at the Students’ Art Market, the is the only criterion: you must be enrolled at an art college. When I was accepted onto the course at the Academy of Fine Art a year ago, I stumbled across the SKM platform by chance and have been an enthusiastic participant ever since.

Have you had a particular experience with a customer? 

An order from Karlsruhe arrived recently – naturally, I was determined to deliver it in person! It puts my mind at ease to know that a piece of art has arrived safely. I’ve sent out quite a few over the last few years; after a few art shipments, you get the hang of how best to pack a piece. So far, nothing has gone wrong, but I’m always delighted to receive a quick message confirming that the artwork has arrived safely.