Judith Schmidt, before, 190x175cm, 2019
Judith Schmidt, before, 190x175cm, 2019

“I get inspired, I just begin, I keep going.”

Name

Judith Anna Schmidt

Profession

Artist, painter 

Website

Judith-anna-schmidt.de

Judith Schmidt in her Studio, Photo ©Kirsten Becken
Judith Schmidt in her Studio, Photo ©Kirsten Becken

Who are you? What do you do?

I am Judith Schmidt. I paint, draw, animate and work in cooperation – projects with other artists.

Where are you from?

I grew up in Karlsruhe, studied in Paris, Potsdam and Gent and live now on the countryside near Kleve.

Your style in 3 words?

Playful, light, poetic 

Your weakness? Your strength?

Chaotic, doubtful, unreasonable – I get inspired, I just begin, I keep going.

Judith Schmidt, turningpoint, 175x145, 2019 ©Kirsten Becken
Judith Schmidt, turningpoint, 175×145, 2019 ©Kirsten Becken

What makes you different?

Trial and Error 

When did you decide to become an artist?

This became clear when I was about 17: I got by chance the key for a big space, (without heating or water), with my painter – friend Helene Appel. The setting was beautiful : A room with a high ceiling and large windows in the abandoned factory IWKA in Karlsruhe, which has since been turned into a museum ( ZKM ): the strict restraint not to party there or bring friends made it even more mysterious and precious – this was my/our first studio, and it felt like a holy place. There paint fever got me for real and never left. 

What do you find most fascinating about the creative process?

Moments of flow, inspiration, contact – when, after struggling – it just works out, in an unexpected way, in this fragile moment of Grace.

A few words about your favourite creation?

“Vom Vogel Phoenix” is one of my favourites – an Installation , consisting of paintings, a projected painted animation, and a performance with Atelier Liervogel – the painting series “turning point “, where I use ink and work the paint quite transparent and wet- the development of the technique of animating oil on glass, which works well for me, and the very satisfying cooperation with this artist group – Atelier Liervogel– is like a breakthrough/starting point, bringing together different aspects of my work – which I want to explore further

Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…

I love Agnes Martin, Henri Michaux, Megan Kelly Rooney, William Kentridge, Phoebe Waller-Bridge. And so many more

Who would you like to work with someday and why?

This is difficult to answer, beside artist friends and colleagues I am already working with or planning to work with, there is not really someone popping up immediately in my mind. But I think, I would like to work with some dancers/ choreographers or musicians/ composers– like Sascha Waltz, or Anna Thorvaldsdottir, to imagine such a collaboration is challenging and inspiring.

© Judith Schmidt, 4xKairos, 30x60 cm, 2018
© Judith Schmidt, 4xKairos, 30×60 cm, 2018

A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?

I am currently working with the artist Marta Roberti from Rome – to set up an installation/show including paintings, drawings, animation. The motive is: nature in Dantes Divina Commedia – the contrast between purity and beauty of utopian nature, and the scary and menacing side – as we can experience with corona and climate change. I am triggered how to connect to this immense masterpiece – the Divina Commedia – and find my own approach, to think it, draw it and paint it. And working on it as two artists: To discuss and develop a form together. Looking forward to this.

Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“

Good art  

2020: Where are we going?

Hopefully, after Corona – break, new horizons 

When the going gets tough…

—first I shout at my partner, then we bingewatch a series, I sleep, I read, I wait till it’s gone

Your city’s favourite spots?

I live far from any city—I love the beach by the Rhine here 

Put on your future vision glasses: What direction is our generation moving in, what will our world look like in 50 years?

we get new ideas, modesty and new courage. More here and now.

What would you do if you could change the World?

less fear, more confidence, trust, respect, inspiration

Judith Schmidt, 170x150, 2018 ©Kirsten Becken
Judith Schmidt, 170×150, 2018 ©Kirsten Becken

If the universe is everything and it’s expanding, what is it expanding into?

Light chaos rhythm music

Tell us about your future plans…

I am currently working on a new series of painting, and just want to paint as much as possible to see how it evolves. Explore different dimensions, work on titles. At a later point of this workflow, I’d like to set up a show and see the paintings in a good space. That’s for now – energy emerging directly out of my studio

Your city’s favourite spots?

My studio

Judith Schmidt, Scivu, 190x175, 2019 Photo ©Kirsten Becken
Judith Schmidt, Scivu, 190×175, 2019 Photo ©Kirsten Becken

Last but not least: what is your favourite Song?

„je chanterai pour toi“ Boubacar Traoré, Angola, Cesaria Evora, Happy Bukahara 

One last statement please: „Wood or stone, gold or art?“

Growth and Inspiration – so wood and art 

Your #…?

#judithschmidt