Matthias Kreher, I have been painting since I can remember

What inspired you to create art and become an artist? (Events, feelings, experiences...)

I have been painting since I can remember. In my main profession I am a musician (instrumentalist, arranger, composer), but throughout my life I have also been involved in painting. As a teenager I painted comics or drew caricatures. Later I drew a lot from nature. It has always given me pleasure and sharpened my eye.

What is your artistic background, what techniques and themes have you experimented with so far?

My artistic themes are difficult to narrow down, because diverse and not fixed. In terms of techniques, I have painted watercolors or drawn only with pencil for many years, since about 15 years I work exclusively with acrylic paints. Earlier I painted mostly landscapes and cityscapes, later also portraits, people and still life. Especially faces fascinate me very much. There are also abstract attempts of mine, which I also enjoyed.

What 3 aspects distinguish you from other artists and make your work unique?

Each artist is unique with his work and differs from others. Sure, there are similarities between artists, but ultimately everyone has their own style. With some this own style is strongly pronounced, with others less so. It is difficult to judge this for oneself, that is the task of the viewer or art critic.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I'm inspired by what I see. Sometimes it's the special in the banal. Lately I've also been trying to construct images, imaginary landscapes or whimsical figures.

What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?

My artistic approach is often very different. It is also not my concern to evoke concrete sensations and feelings or even visions in the viewer. I leave that to the viewer himself. Sometimes I just pose "questions" that the viewer can then "answer" for himself.

What is the process of creating your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparation process (technical, inspiration from art classics or other)?

My inspirations are very diverse, ranging from photographs to works by other artists (still living or already deceased) or even motifs from everyday life. Spontaneous work does not suit me, mostly my pictures have a more or less long preparation process. I take photographs, make sketches, which I then transfer to the painting surface. Recently, I also compose images by combining or alienating different motifs.

Do you use a particular working technique? If so, can you explain it?

I work with different layers of paint on top of each other, similar to the glazing technique in oil painting. Since acrylic paints dry quickly and are often opaque, this remains an exciting process with each painting, and I am always learning.

Are there any innovative aspects to your work? Can you tell us which ones?

I can't really judge that myself. But I don't think innovation should be an important artistic characteristic; it can then become an end in itself. I'm more traditional in my approach, less experimental.

Do you have a format or medium that you feel most comfortable with? if so, why?

As I mentioned before, I currently use acrylics exclusively. I do not paint on canvases, but on so-called MDF boards, which I prime myself, sometimes finer, sometimes a bit coarser.

Where do you produce your works? At home, in a shared workshop, or in your own workshop? And how do you organize your creative work in this space?

I work exclusively at home in my study, preferably in the evening, when I am most awake.

Does your work take you to travel to meet new collectors, for fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it bring you?

I go to exhibitions or art galleries more or less regularly. I often find the work of other artists very stimulating and inspiring. Since I travel a lot for work, I have visited a lot of museums in European and American cities.

How do you envision your work and career as an artist developing in the future?

I am very realistic about it. For one thing, I'm not that young anymore to be "discovered" as an "emerging young artist" at some point. But I'm actually always working on creating better, more sophisticated, more artistically valuable paintings. I also try to always develop my personal style.

What is the theme, style or technique of your latest artistic production?

I won't tell you ...

Can you tell us about your most important trade show experience?

Unfortunately, I don't have anything to report.

If you could have created a famous work of art history, which one would you choose? And why?

I don't quite understand the meaning of the question. There are many famous works of art history that impress me. But I would never want to compare or relate to it in any way, or presume to be able to create it myself.

If you could invite a famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest he spend the evening?

For example, I would love to meet with Pablo Picasso. He must have been a fascinating personality. I would have many questions for him ...

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