Erst wenn du sie siehst

The title is inspired by the lyrics of the song Neue Farbe from the German post-pop band Exclusive. It roughly translates to "Only once you see her".

The scene is from a sunrise at the top of Volcán Santa María in Guatemala. Together with a bunch of other backpackers I hiked up the mountain during a full moon night. Then on top we were waiting in our sleeping bags for the sun to rise. It was bitter cold, and only once the sun came out, the cold released its grip on us.

Only once you see her ...

Guatemaya

This painting is based on a photo I took several years ago. I worked as a volunteer in San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala. There I met amazing other volunteers, it was at one night when we volunteers were hanging out with the locals that I took this photograph. The warm and peaceful atmosphere still shimmers in my memories.

The title of the painting is taken from the song Guatemaya by Barrio Candela. From what I understand the idea is to overcome the troubled past of this country and replace "mala" (Spanish word for "bad"), with "maya", the indigenous population of this area.

Waiting Room

Due to a recent sports injury I spent time in various hospital waiting rooms. This painting is about the atmosphere of these places: people sitting quietly in their pain and misery, hoping for their salvation.

Resilience

During COVID a few years ago and with an uncertain future one can expect that one's resilience will be tested some more.

This painting is based on a photo of a silver thistle I took some time ago, the painting uses this alpine flower as a symbol of resilience in a very harsh surrounding.

Scene from the film
“Dune (2021)”

Dream

Inspired by a music video by Tears For Fears

Scene from the film
“In The Mood For Love”

Bloody Mary

False color study using a scene from the movie "The Abyss" (1989). I used a 4 color tetradic color palette.

The title is tongue in cheek and has 2 origins: for once, because of the fact that I crashed with my bicycle while holding the not-yet-finished painting in 1 hand and ended up with a couple of abrasions. And the other one is of course that the name of the actress in the painting is Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.

Scene from the film
“Chunking Express”

Scene from the film
“Black Sea”

Scene from the film
“No Country For Old Men”