Nice to meet you!
I'm Johanna an oil painter living in Hamburg, Germany.
My colorful contemporary figurative paintings are inspired by the power of personal transformation that I witnessed manyfold in my own life as well as through my experience as a social worker in the mental health sector.
I met many women who learned to keep themselves small not daring to stand by themselves, until they found the courage to break free and embrace their own colorful uniqueness.
That’s why I want my art to act as empowering, poetic anchors for the soul, reminding women every day that they are capable of positive transformation & releasing their chains no matter their history.
I grew tired of my past
Growing up in a broken home, my own lifes journey started far from ideal and left me with emotional rollercoasters & „wonderful“ people pleasing skills.
However, with the years I grew tired of being tied to the past. As an artistic soul that never lost curiosity for life and learning, I did whatever I could to break free, work my way up to find my voice and build a life I truly love.
Creating art was always part of my journey, and after starting to embrace my love for painting the female figure and merging it with tales of deeply emotional breakthroughs, my current artstyle was born that now empowers my female collectors to break free from the things that don't feel true to themselves (anymore).
Fun facts...
...though I'm living in flatland I love hiking and spend my vacation with my dear husband in the mountains at least once a year
...I love animals but I don't have pets (at the moment... :))
...I like to dig deep: in my "former life" I've spent my days in a lab as a biochemist
...My favorite food: Let there be Pizza!
...I enjoy reading. (Beside the multitude, one of my current favorite authors is John Updike)
My Process
My oil paintings usually start with making or finding a reference of a woman that inspires me. Then I usually start a design process, where I manipulate my references to create a beautiful balance between the realistic figure and a free playful abstract expressive background. If I get to the point that makes me fall in love with this first sketch, I start tackling my canvas. I try to explore different techniques but currently they start with a rough charcoal drawing followed by painting the figure carefully before I go crazy with the background. To add emotional depth I like to create different textures & shapes and use different tools other than brushes for mark-making.
I always strive not to overwork the piece so it keeps the dynamic energy of the first brushstrokes that bring a feeling of confidence & optimism in to the homes of my collectors.
Exhibitions
2019 02/03 „A woman’s tale“ Group exhibition of the 14. International women festical, Kulturladen St. Georg, Hamburg
2022 04/05 „Old meet’s new" Exhibition, Kulturschloss Wandsbek, Hamburg
2022 08 „The beauty of nature“, 6. Bergedorfer Kunstschau, Hamburg
2023 04/05 „Life is change“ Exhibition, Ev.-Luth.
Auferstehungskirchengemeinde Hamburg
2023 Hamburg zeigt Kunst, Artfair, Hamburg
2024 04 HolstenArt, Artfair, Neumünster