Interview: The Artist Sabine Seidel

This week in my interview series: artist Sabine Seidel. She lives in a picturesque village, surrounded by nature that inspires her and flows into her artistic work.

Sabine is primarily dedicated to painting, which she sees as a healing journey of discovery. This journey not only allows her to express her creativity but also brings her inner peace. Her vibrant paintings exude a serene joyfulness.

Introduction

What is your name?
MY Name is Sabine Seidel.

Where do you live?
I live in a small village in Saxony, nestled between Dresden and Chemnitz, surrounded by numerous farms, fields, and forests.

What kind of art/creativity do you mainly do? (Painting, sculpture, photography, digital design, etc.)

I primarily focus on painting, but I don't limit myself when it comes to the medium or technique. Currently, I'm doing a lot of abstract work with acrylics on canvas, experimenting with different textures and materials that aren't typically associated with painting, such as risotto rice, eggshells, yarn, matches, or shells.

I also have a deep love for watercolor painting. In the past, I've done a lot with this medium, but at the moment, it's challenging with a young child. Watercolor doesn't allow for spontaneous breaks, as it often involves wet-on-wet techniques. Leaving a project unfinished, even briefly, could ruin the entire piece.

I have other passions as well, such as intuitive painting and creating mandalas. Both are perfect for warming up or relaxing, as they allow you to completely switch off your mind without worrying about "messing up."

During my training in art and creative therapy, I also had the opportunity to work with other materials like pastel chalk and clay, which I thoroughly enjoyed. If I ever find more time…

Oil painting is my latest passion, and it's perfect for stepping away from the workspace for a bit, as oil paints have a long drying time. I discovered my love for oil painting during a course at the local adult education center, and it opened up a whole new way of engaging with painting.

Have you had any formal training, or are you self-taught?

I don't have a formal education in painting, but I originally pursued a creative career. My initial profession was as a hairdresser, driven by my long-standing passion for creativity. Unfortunately, I had to give up that career many years ago due to financial reasons. I went back to school, earned my high school diploma, and then went on to university. Now, I hold a Master's degree in Sociology and work in the educational field as a practical advisor at a secondary school.

Even during my studies, I never lost touch with my creative side and continued to educate myself. However, I only found my way to painting through a series of detours. Like many others, my rekindled creative phase began with adult coloring books and Zentangle. It was during this time that the desire to create something original arose within me. That was about ten years ago. Since then, I've experimented and explored a lot.

After completing my degree, I pursued further training in art and creative therapy and took several drawing and painting courses at the local adult education center. These included courses in classical pencil drawing and a course in oil painting. I’ve also completed various online courses in watercolor painting.

Currently, I'm taking an online course in Neurography, and in September, I’ll begin a six-month online training program in intuitive, healing painting, which I'm incredibly excited about.

With this foundation, I hope to eventually offer my own courses and workshops, aiming to inspire others to create or provide them with a small escape from the stresses of everyday life.

Where can people see your work? Do you have a website or social media profiles you would like to share?

I have a website, which is still quite new and evolving, but some of my works are already on display. Additionally, I want to share a variety of materials and methods for creative work with those who are interested.

You can also find me on Instagram and YouTube under the name "kreativpfad." The latter is still in the exploratory phase and will take some time to develop further.

You Are Creative. Why?

How Did You Get Into Art? Where Did Your Creative Journey Begin?

I've always been creative; there's no specific starting point for it. Art, however, has definitely become a powerful way for me to process my feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Like many others, I have some shadows from the past that I can forget, confront, or work through on the canvas. This process is both fulfilling and deeply relaxing for me.

What Inspires You?

I'm inspired by almost everything—nature, fabric patterns, or colour combinations that happen to be next to each other. I also draw inspiration from the works of other artists, images on social media, or photos from holidays.

But even beyond that, I constantly see colours and shapes when I close my eyes. My mind is always brimming with ideas that overflow, especially when I don't have the chance to paint.

Are There Certain Artists Or Styles That Influence You?

In our current times, I feel particularly inspired by Flora Bowley, Petra Toelken, Ulrike Hirsch, and Karin Henningsen. Additionally, it was through the books of Terry Harrison that I was drawn to watercolour painting. As for oil painting, I am very captivated by the style of Vincent van Gogh.

What does your creative process look like?

What are your favourite materials and tools to use and why?

My creative process can best be described as organised chaos. At times, various materials pile up on, under, or next to my desk. I don't always know immediately what I'll do with them, just that I'll definitely use them at some point. I often arrange everything so that I walk past it frequently, allowing ideas to percolate about how a piece might come together. I might then add some colours I envision using, sketch out a few ideas, and eventually, it all comes to life. Often, the final result is still different from what I initially imagined, but I'm usually satisfied and thoroughly enjoy the process.

While working on one piece, I often get numerous ideas for others. That's when I rush off, grab more canvases from the garage, and start additional projects in parallel. This approach often results in having about 15 unfinished pieces at any given time, which actually makes it easier to dive back into the creative flow.

When it comes to materials, my absolute favourites at the moment are acrylic and watercolour paints. In the realm of acrylics, I particularly enjoy working with materials that add texture, such as texture pastes, sand, coffee, paper, napkins, tissue paper, or kraft paper, as well as using a palette knife. Lately, I've been adding a touch of gold to my paintings, whether it's a few splashes or a bit of gilding with gold leaf.

Is There A Particular Project Or Work That Is Important To You?

In the spring and summer of this year, I created a small series that is very dear to me. I believe it's where I truly found my own style. Additionally, it reflects a significant inner transformation I've undergone. This little collection embodies a sense of lightness that I now also feel in my life.

What Was The Biggest Challenge You Faced As An Artist?

Balancing a full-time job, family, and creative pursuits is a constant challenge. Since I'm not a full-time artist, finding the time for creative work is often difficult. After a long day at work and putting my child to bed, the exhaustion hits me with full force!

How Important Is It For You To Connect And Interact With Other Artists And Creatives?

Connecting with other artists or art enthusiasts is very important to me. Everyone has their own reasons for creating, and engaging with one another can be incredibly inspiring. I particularly enjoy painting with others, which is why I regularly attend courses or participate in online workshops.

What Does Art Mean To You? What Role Does It Play In Your Life?

Art actually plays a much larger role in my life than I ever imagined. It allows me to let go, relax, and clear my mind. It gives me so much and has become a vital part of my life. When I go for a long time without being able to be creative, I feel incredibly unbalanced and frustrated. The need to create builds up, and when I finally have the time, it all comes bursting out of me.

What Do You Think Is The Role Of Art In Society?

What Role Do Artists Play Within Society?

That’s a very difficult question to answer. When you look at art and artists on social media, you might think that art plays a huge role. There are thousands of artists all over the world, so it’s almost impossible to go through life without encountering some form of art. However, when it comes to how art is perceived, I think the picture is quite different. Art is often not recognised as such, and many artists are denied the status of "artist" because they haven’t studied art, aren’t well-known, don’t match certain tastes, haven’t exhibited enough, or even just because they don’t have enough followers.

Despite this, art has always existed and is a precious commodity. Society’s relationship with art is very subjective, which makes it difficult for many artists to succeed. This raises the question: what does it mean to be successful as an artist? Is it about followers, income, or simply being able to engage in the creative process? Perhaps it’s a combination of all these things.

I believe one of the roles of art is to reflect current events or changes in its own unique way. This gives it the ability to creatively highlight or criticise issues and, in doing so, draw attention to them. Art also promotes cultural identity and individuality; it mirrors feelings and emotions, and through this, it shapes the era in which it exists.

Which Topics Are Important To You?

Is There A Theme Or A Message That You Want To Convey In Your Art?

Everyone can paint! Painting offers so many possibilities that, in principle, there are no limits. The creative process is a true journey of discovery, including self-discovery. Painting can bring relaxation, help you let go of perfectionism, and cultivate mindfulness.

Painting shouldn’t be intimidating; it should convey a sense of ease, encourage letting go, and invite you to play and experiment.

Thank you, Sabine!

Your Chance: Be Part of my Interview Series!

If you are an artist or creative individual, whether in painting, music, literature, or any other form of art, and would like to talk about your work and creative process, please feel free to reach out to me.

I look forward to showcasing the diversity of creative expression in my interview series and reading about your perspectives and experiences.

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