EM: Your portraits are life-like and seem to capture the everyday experience. What sort of stories are you trying to convey, if any?

Most of the time, I’m not trying to convey a particular story but much more an atmosphere. That’s why the expression and gesture is so important to me and it is also the reason why my drawings are often stripped down to the human figure itself.
 
EM: While some of your illustrations are serious, others are quirky. Do they reflect a personal mood or are they based on emotions expressed by the subject?

It can be both. Sometimes the subjects I draw guide me and sometimes I use them, put them in a new context, to express a certain idea I had in mind before.
 
EM: Who are the subjects in your pieces? Any particular quality that draws you to them?  And for the most part, do you base your work on real characters or fictional ones?

The subjects in my drawings are either family and friends or people I don’t know at all. Most of the time, it is the before mentioned expression/gesture that draws me to them. Without wanting to sound too kitschy, it is about the inner life that surfaces for a split second.  So yes, most of the time I base my work on real characters.
 
EM: Several drawing focus on children and the family dynamic, whether it is toys, an infanticide or kid’s expressions. Any reason for this?

The sketches I did during one day of a trial about an infanticide were commissioned by a German magazine. I would not have chosen this particular topic due to its very tragic nature. Nevertheless, I am intrigued by documentary drawings. That’s why I did a series about a pediatric ward in a hospital. In this particular case, the motivation was partly based on my own childhood experiences. In general the ambiguity of naiveté and knowledge is fascinating to me. And when I speak about knowledge, I speaking in terms of a certain understanding, even if it is not possible to express this as a child.

 
EM: Do you use photographs or live sketches for your drawings? And what mediums do you use?

I use both photographs and live sketches, depending on the project and the time I have to complete it. The mediums I use most of the time are pencil, crayon, and Indian ink.

EM: Any artists that inspire your work?

There are many! Just to name a few: In terms of inspiration one of the first names that come to my mind is David Hockney. The wide range of techniques and different ways of expression in his work is simply fascinating. Robert Longo’s series “Men in the Cities” had a huge impact on me when I first saw them. Elizabeth Peyton’s dedication to the art of portraiture inspires me as well. Jenny Saville, Johannes Kahrs and Marcel van Eden are also artists I really like.
 
EM: Has your worked been showcased at any galleries, museums thus far?

I’ve exhibited in a few small galleries and the “Illustrative 07″ in Berlin.

EM: What is your favorite city visited?

I have the fondest memories of Paris where I studied for one year. Though what I saw of New York in a 3 month stay was very fascinating as well.
 
EM: Where can our readers view more of your work?

Right now, I’m working on a series for the online magazine Contributing Editor which will be shown on the accompanying website in the near future. Some of my work will be featured in the upcoming 3×3 illustration directory. Other than that, you can always catch up with my most recent work on my website.

EM: What is the next step in your career?

Incidentally, Vogue Turkey just asked me to collaborate with them in their first issue. It sounds like a very interesting project.

via Sarah Wolfson, 22 November 2009 5:24pm | |