Interview: Amani Terzakis
2019-07-15
Interview: Leigh Le Roux
2019-08-28
Getting to Know Lena Hermann
1. Tell DFO a little bit more about yourself
I am in Tourism. At the moment I am working in South Africa in customer service at an Inbound travel agency, that deals with guests coming from Germany, Switzerland, UK to SA.
I love what I do because people in travel are cool. The product is a dream and since I come from Germany working in SA is a great opportunity and very exciting.
I used to draw a lot at school, but the last 5 years I didn’t have the time. The cooler it is as I got into it again on the last DFO Event!
Generally, I am an open book… When I went through my old paintings that I have done as a teenager I was embarrassed about some. Especially the ones I created in my dark teen phase. I destroyed some of them later on - if they were too dramatic (I experimented with coal pens) and if they didn’t fall into the hands of my mum who hung them up all over the house.
Drawing relaxes my mind and it is nice to see what you can create.
I travel in order to meet new people, experience different things, get a new perspective and understand the world a bit more with every trip (most of the time at least!)
2. From an art perspective: What are your biggest weaknesses?
One of my weaknesses is I always start a painting in a realistic state. Sometimes it doesn’t work out because the proportions or something doesn’t work out. Sometimes I think it is easier to work Abstract, then it is not possible to draw something “wrong“.
3. Be bold – tell us: "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
In five years I want to be in the end of my DIY furniture creation phase and design my dream flat with DIY stuff that I have created over the years. I want to feel comfortable and not live out of a suitcase anymore!
4. Out of thousands of artists in SA, why should people appreciate your art?
My stuff is the best when it was created in an emotional Phase. So my pieces are made with a lot of Passion.
5. Why do you want to be an Artist?
It is fascinating what kind of ideas come to mind when you are spinning ideas with creative people in a creative environment.
6. What do you consider to be your biggest creative achievement??
I think what I consider as my biggest achievement is an oil painting in the synthetic cubism style. I analysed the cubism styles and there I got the style really well and just painted my own piece.
7. Tell us about the last time a client, family or friend questioned your art or creativity. Elaborate on what happened.
My other cubism experiment had another style and was relatively dark, so it just never made it up the wall and I had to live with it. I don’t take feedback personal, it always depends what preferences every one of us has and how much experience the other one or I have.
8. When working on art "describe your definition of done."
“Done” could mean when the deadline arrives or the bed really is calling, otherwise, never. I can always make changes, I never have the feeling that I am really done
9. When creating, what kind of work environment do you like best?
When I am first with people and chat about things and then alone and listening to a music or audiobook in the background so that my mind is semi-conscious.
10. Define your creative/drawing style?
It’s not like I am doing similar things, or that I already have my own style. But thinking about it, I realised I like mixing things, styles and influences in my art.
11. What can we expect from you in the near future?
I don’t know what the future brings.
12. What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Go to events, markets, shows, meet ups with other creative people. You will always have a good time and develop yourself or help others.
