Artwork description (Phoibe and Oreithya)
The two figures depicted, Phoibe and Oreithya, are taken from two works by Peter Paul Rubens. In these two (original) paintings 1. Phoibe and her sister Hilaeira are kidnapped by Castor and Pollux in “The Abduction of the Daughters of Leukippus” and the 2. figure Oreithya is kidnapped by Boreas in the work “Boreas kidnapped Oreithya”. The two beautiful women share the same fate in the paintings mentioned. I detach them from their stories and ”quote“ and combine them in a new space in which they can form a new story together. They now move independently as if they now determine their own movement. I paint the figures in oil. This painting process is slow and careful. I work here in several shifts and layers and as close to the originals as possible. The next painting process, on the other hand, is quick and intuitive. I paint into the movement of the figures. This time with acrylic (and marker) and with high amount of water. I want to “trace“ their movement and the dynamics - support them with colors and shapes. A flying titmouse symbolizes my deep wish to be able to swing with the figures - to become part of their movement and their dynamics, to move around them without dirsturbing them.
Biography
Because of my family, with many painters and creatives, painting and art has always been a big part of my life, but without having painted myself for a long time. In my school studies I chose the ”more modern” way of creativity (as I thought) and studied communication design (at the Art Center College of Design Europe) and received the Bachelor of Arts. For a long time I ran a small (but) successful agency and designed a lot for the music industry (electronic music). I was allowed to experiment a lot here and was able to ”remix” wild collages of images and typography. When I had to change my life a few years ago, I discovered painting as my great passion. At first I was a little bit sad that I had spend so much time practicing in the graphic design field, but now I see that all the experiences I made in my professional life lead to this moment and I paint pictures today, that relate to my entire professional and private life. Initially I focused on pure image compositions and collages. Figurative paintings and many birds followed and practicing (practicing and practicing) the techniques of the old masters (especially the “incarnato“). ”But nothing grows if you only copy“ (Quintilian) and so I now connect my own ”elements” with the masterpieces in order to let something new grow. I have occasionally participated in group exhibitions, also exhibited in galleries - the big gallery contract has not yet come about.