"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life" – as hackneyed as Picasso's quote may be, it's so true. At least for me. Because that's precisely why I paint: because I search for the beauty in everyday life that brings a smile to my face and makes me happy. Because I search for my own personal sunshine that makes the world a little brighter and more colorful. That, for me, is what painting is all about.

 

I believe art doesn't have to be political and socially critical, or even incomprehensible and supposedly elitist. It can simply be aesthetic and decorative. I'm fascinated by the interplay of different colors, materials, and textures. And by the tension between planning and chance – like with the squeegee technique. Chance often creates fascinating structures and colors, opening up new paths and possibilities. But it can also destroy the entire beautiful compositional plan. Then I sometimes have to wait weeks or even months until the oil paints are dry and I can finally continue painting. So I am constantly forced to curb my impatience and pause. These enforced breaks, which I actually dislike, are important and necessary to gain distance and a fresh perspective. Then I recognize harmonies and disharmonies. And I am often faced with the problem: How can I preserve favorite elements that seem foreign and integrate them into a harmonious whole? Unfortunately, this isn't always possible. Often the solution is: letting go. My painting always demands courage – courage to take risks. Sometimes it takes a long time before I dare to take that risk.

 

In any case, my art is always a risk. Because in abstract painting, there is no obvious "finished" state. That's what makes it so appealing, but also so challenging. You have to recognize when a painting is finished. Sometimes you miss that point – and then you can only save the painting by completely reinventing it. An analogy to life: There are missed opportunities and wrong decisions that you often only recognize as such in retrospect.

 

But ultimately, it is the delays and detours that enrich life and art. Many of my works have a history spanning years. Some of them were created on very old, recycled canvases; they bear traces, patches, and tears – scars, if you will. But it is precisely this imperfection, this "lived-in" quality, this patina that I find so appealing – especially in combination with modern, abstract painting. They create charming contrasts. The reduced color palette – which can certainly be vibrant – makes it easier to look closely, and one discovers quieter, more delicate areas in the painting, which emerged through layering of colors during the long painting process and are often uniquely beautiful.

 

I have been working with oil painting since 1997 and had several exhibitions in the early days. Professionally, however, I chose a different path: After studying politics and history, I became a television writer, producer, and director. Throughout all these years, however, painting has remained an important and indispensable counterbalance to my professional life. Now I finally want to give it greater prominence – because art doesn't just wash away the dust of everyday life, it soothes the soul. At least, that's the effect my paintings have on me, and perhaps on you too?!