The first linocut print that I never actually wanted to make.
As a child, I was inspired by my mother, an artist who made jewelry and painted. Art and crafts were my favorite subjects at school, and I decided to choose the art branch at secondary school and later at the art FOS. Despite my enthusiasm, I wasn't always the best in art classes. After graduating from high school, I traveled for a few years and devoted myself to photography before I felt the desire to expand my knowledge.
I applied to study in Munich (photography) and Bolzano (art and design). While I was rejected in Munich, I was accepted in Bolzano and began my studies there in 2011. While I was still studying, I discovered my passion for building with natural materials, especially clay.
After graduating, I moved to Canada to gain experience in earth building on various construction sites. I later continued working in this field in the Canary Islands and Europe. However, the physically demanding work became increasingly stressful and I was looking for more artistic expression.
One day in the workshop of my mentor, Bert Praxenthaler, I tried to create a wooden object with an engraved line pattern. I started with a flat piece of wood as a test object. When my mentor saw the result, he was immediately inspired to make a print of it. Despite my initial reluctance - I found the printing technique boring and annoying at the time - my Berti was not deterred. Up until then, I had avoided all artistic techniques that involve removing material for fear of making mistakes and ruining the work of art.
Despite my reservations, Berti prepared paint and a roller and printed the wood block on handmade paper. When I saw the first print, I was overwhelmed by the aesthetics and the effect of the technique. This new passion led me to order a linocut beginners' set that same day. Since then, I have been working intensively with this technique and my enthusiasm for printing, which began in 2017, has continued unabated to this day. ♥
Femininity & Nature Connection
When I began to work intensively with linocut printing, I also completed a wilderness training course at the Circlewise Institute in order to develop an even deeper connection to nature. This time was incredibly inspiring for me. I recorded my experiences in and with nature and translated them directly into pictures. During this training, I also experienced what it feels like to be unconditionally accepted and welcomed - just as I am.
At the same time, I was intensively dealing with myself, my female body and welcoming myself as a woman . Before that, I had little access to my own femininity. Through a podcast, I discovered by chance that we women are cyclical beings. This realization was followed by a deep examination of myself and the question of what it means to me to be a woman on this earth.
My Values
I would like to give you an insight into the values that shape my work and my life.
For me, they are not just guidelines, but the core of what I do and how I do it.
For me, harmony is the foundation of a fulfilled life, which is reflected in my art as a balance of calm and dynamism. I see vulnerability as strength and allow my deepest feelings to flow into my works. Integrity and intuition guide my creative process, while environmental awareness encourages me to use sustainable materials. Beauty inspires me to awaken joy and wonder, and kindness is for me the key to positive relationships and collaboration. Justice , respect and spirituality shape my work and invite one to explore the deep connections of life.
My Vision
Over the last few years, I have been deeply involved in portraying and exploring female identity through my art. By creating images that capture the essence and complexity of being a woman, I have not only explored my own femininity, but also built a deep connection with the women my works have touched. The numerous responses I have received continue to confirm how healing and transformative my images are for many people.
A formative experience during a training course for nature-based ritual work opened up a new, significant vision for me.
It involves creating works that are intended as gifts to men . These images are not only meant to express appreciation and recognition , but also to serve as a prayer for healing and reconciliation between women and men .
My work aims to be gifts that help bridge the gender gap and create a deeper, spiritual connection. Through my art, I aim to provide a space where healing can occur - both on a personal and community level.
For me, this new direction of my work is not only an extension of my artistic work, but a matter close to my heart that fulfills me deeply.
I look forward to continuing on this path and invite you to join me on this journey of healing and connection.
In my studio
Are you curious what my workplace looks like?
Immerse yourself in my studio for a moment and see how I explore the connection between femininity and nature through my work.
Detailed podcast interview
It's not our job to be beautiful! A wake-up call to every woman.
Find out how I, who could never identify with femininity, celebrate it today, even celebrate it confidently, and advocate for the topics of bleeding, body awareness, being a woman and the connection with nature.
We talk about the competition and comparison among us women, the pressure to have the perfect body and the hidden power in our cycle.
Also available to listen to on all common podcast platforms.
