Katja Lührs – Circle Foundation for the Arts

What themes does your work involve?

Nature pictures with the theme: "Save the Earth".

Describe your creative process.

I paint a picture with oil over flowers and leaves. Then I take a photo of this picture. So I have the oil painting and digital images.

What influences your work? What inspires you? Why do you make art?

I let myself be inspired by nature and its diversity. Even as a child I loved to draw and paint and make up stories to go with it. Later I worked as a jewelry designer and had the opportunity to design many new creations. In parallel, I continued to paint pictures in various techniques. Until, by a happy coincidence, leaves and flowers came to my mind for my theme: "Save the Earth". Since my thirtieth year I am an environmentalist and animal rights activist and so I can combine the two themes of painting and animal and environmental protection very well.

What are your goals and plans as an artist in 2023?

I also want to continue to work for the environment with my pictures. I have been given the opportunity to show my pictures worldwide. As oil paintings or digitally. I am very happy about this and I am very pleased. Thank you also to you for this opportunity.

How do recent advancements in technology affect your art practice? How may recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (image generator software) affect the definition of fine art?

For me, this is very positive. Because I can reach many more people with my oil paintings and the resulting digital art. At the same time, I can exhibit with other artists, like just this year in Los Angeles - New York - Tokyo - Amsterdam and Zurich.

What is the role of the artist today?

There is an incredible amount of potential in art and its implementation. Art can generate a lot of attention. It can motivate and contribute to responsible action. Open hearts! We only have this one wonderful planet Earth and if we don't protect it, who will? The responsibility lies with each of us in big and small decisions. Art is the wonderful mediator that opens doors and leads to great experiences.

What is good art? What makes a piece of art great?

Wenn ich ein Bild anschaue und es mich glücklich macht. Es erheitert mich mit seinen Formen und Farben. Ich erkenne die Liebe, die der Künstler in sein Werk gesteckt hat. Der Künstler hat mit seinen Bildern einen Wiedererkennungswert geschaffen und seine Bilder strahlen Lebensfreude und Zuversicht aus.
When I look at a picture and it makes me happy. It amuses me with its shapes and colors. I recognize the love the artist put into his work. The artist has created a recognition value with his pictures and his pictures radiate joie de vivre and confidence.