What themes feature in your work?

My pictures are often very landscape-oriented. I love nature, spend a lot of time outdoors and soak up the colours and shapes that catch my eye. (I love abstracting representational subjects and adopting different perspectives.)

Do you paint from models?

I rarely paint from live models. I prefer to draw inspiration from objects, situations or paintings that move me. Then I look within myself and paint what I feel inspired to create.

Which artist inspires you the most?

I’m a big fan of old classical paintings. I love Auguste Renoir. In modern or contemporary painting, I’m fascinated by the works of Jack Kabangu, Claire Tabouret and Ian Rayer Smith.

What role do the colours you use play?

My colours are my source of strength. Following a stroke four years ago, I lost my colour vision. For a long time, the world was nothing but grey to me. During that time, I reimagined the colours of my surroundings. Meadows turned pink, trees turned yellow, and so on. That’s how I imagined them in my mind, and I tried to bring that vision to life. Little by little, the first colours began to return. Blue, for example, was the first colour I could recognise clearly again. That’s why it often features in my paintings. Blue became my lifeline.

What themes are you currently exploring?

My paintings are becoming a bit more representational at the moment. Generally speaking, I paint a lot of abstract pictures. I love layering colours on top of one another and giving the viewer the chance to lose themselves in the picture and explore all the little details. At the moment, however, I’ve noticed that I’m becoming a bit more representational and am now occasionally painting vases of flowers or abstract interpretations of fruit baskets.

Where do you paint? (At home, in your studio…?)

I have a lovely studio, not far from my home. It’s my sanctuary and the place where I feel free.

How would you describe your style

,

and how has it developed during your

studies at the ?

My style has changed quite a lot over the course of my studies. I used to pour on lots of colours and let them blend into one another. Nowadays, I realise that’s not enough for me. For me, there has to be something going on. During my degree, I’ve learnt to feel freer and to listen to myself. I have the confidence to put onto the canvas what lies dormant within me and is desperate to come out.

What do you get up to outside your studies?

Art is my main job. I generally spend every day in my studio, painting or creating sculptures. When I’m not painting, I play with and look after my two children. That always keeps me busy throughout the day. I often take them into my studio too, and we paint together. Children’s perspectives on my paintings are often quite different, and it’s fascinating to observe them. We often discuss what we see in them and what the painting might be called.

How did you come across Studierenden Kunstmarkt, and what has been your experience?

I came across SKM on Instagram a while ago, and then Erich, the founder, got in touch with me. After doing a bit of research, it quickly became clear that this platform was a perfect fit for me. I’m very happy with it. Everything runs smoothly. The support is great and there’s an answer to every question.

Have you had any particular experiences with a customer?

I have to say that, so far, I’ve only received positive feedback from customers, insofar as I’ve had personal contact with them. What pleases me most is when I receive photos afterwards and see where my artworks are displayed. I think the best experience was with some buyers who were so happy with the painting that they invited me to their holiday home in Italy. That really made me happy.

Is there anything else you’d

like to share or tell us?

I’d just like to say thank you. I need art like the air I breathe. It’s all the more wonderful that, through this platform, I’m gaining the visibility that allows me to share my art with wonderful people and, in doing so, to let a piece of my soul out into the world. Thank you very much to all of you.