I come from an old German family of artists and grew up with art and culture. At the age of 18, I gained my first experience in a studio for theater painting and as a props and directing assistant at the Theater für Kinder in Hamburg.
When I was 19 years old, I moved head over heels to Orange County, California. With a scholarship in my pocket, I graduated from Laguna College of Art & Design with an Honors Degree in Fine Arts in Classical Animation. I worked as a freelance storyboard artist in Los Angeles for some time before returning to Germany in 2002. After my return, I worked for several years as an assistant production designer in film and as an illustrator for advertising agencies. But the film work was very unstable and I no longer wanted to be on the road for months at a time.
From 2006 to 2008, I completed a Master's degree in Culture and Management at Dresden International University. After a traineeship at the auction house Ketterer Kunst, I worked as a gallery assistant and later as Director of Operations at the internationally renowned Sfeir-Semler Gallery with branches in Hamburg and Beirut.
My time at the auction house and in the art gallery were wonderful and very instructive years. I was surrounded by art and artists every day and organised countless exhibitions, international loans, art fairs and art sales.
In 2013, however, I returned to my roots: drawing. I went freelance and started working as an illustrator again.
In the years that followed, I was lucky enough to work with many wonderful clients and agencies. The illustrations included countless 2D explanatory videos, business comics, character design, visualisations as well as live workshops throughout Germany, where I taught the basics of drawing to employees of large companies and corporations. From banks and insurance companies to pharmaceutical companies, everything was included.
With the pandemic came a break and the desire to put my own ideas on paper and illustrate for children. Today I work in my studio in Ottensen, very classically with watercolors and ink on paper. From time to time I bring my characters to life and animate them.
I wrote my first children's book in 2024.
“Polly & Flopsy” will be published in summer 2025 with a little luck, time and a lot of love.