biography

I was born and grew up in East Germany, lived in London through most of the 90s, and moved to the United States in 1998. I have a background in linguistics, decorative design, education and art, and studied in Germany, Russia, London, San Diego and New Orleans. I have been living and working in New Orleans since 2000.

My passion for painting developed a little later than for most artists: in 2006, in my mid-thirties, I found a second home at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts. Starting from the very beginning with a basic drawing class, I dove in heart-first and was hooked. I continued my formal studies at NOAFA through 2010.

My work is rooted in the traditions of classical realism and has grown into magical realism with surreal elements. My paintings show a world of illusion and physical impossibilities and often offer playful insights into my own philosophical and psychological journey.

Over the past decade I have discovered an intense passion for wilderness adventure. I solo walked the Appalachian Trail for six months from Georgia to Maine and have been on numerous shorter wild journeys, both on foot and bicycle. The wilder and purer, the better! This passion has found a clear expression in my artwork over the past few years.


Exhibitions
2020
"Twice Upon a Time" (with Leslie Staub), LeMieux Galleries, New Orleans
2019
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
2018
"Tenderness is Lighter than Air" (solo show), LeMieux Galleries, New Orleans
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
2017
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
participation in LeMieux Galleries' Art for Art's Sake exhibition, New Orleans
2016
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
2015
Four Voices, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
2014
New Year, New Work, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
Three Voices (three-person show), Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
2013
Mardi Gras Exhibition, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
Summer Showcase III, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
2012
The Times Picayune: An Iconic Presence in our Lives, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
Summer Showcase II, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
Self-Portrait Invitational, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
2011
Summer Showcase I, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
A Fresh Look at the Flower, Academy Gallery, New Orleans
2010
Food, Glorious Food, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
Treasures of the Gulf, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery
Celebrate New Orleans, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
Trompe L'Oeil – The Art of Illusion, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
Eat, Drink and Be Merry, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
2009
The Elements, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery
2008
Annual Miniature Show, Academy Gallery
2007
40 Days and 40 Nights (Katrina themed show), Louisiana State Archives, Baton Rouge
2006
Annual Student Show, New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts

Fine Arts Training
New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts (2006 - 2011)
Art Academy of San Diego (briefly in 2008)