ABENDBROT

Isis Maria Niedecken: Art and painting have always been a huge interest of mine and a topic in my family, but I wanted to go my own way and moved to Berlin and studied fashion design. I really loved the creation of collections and learning the craftsmanship of pattern making and sewing. But I pretty quickly realized that fashion is not the industry for me. After graduating, I worked in a design agency, but becoming a mom pretty much changed my perspective and priorities, and I figured out that being my most authentic self would be the best role model I could be for my son, and that’s actually how I restarted painting. With my then-newborn in the carrier, I put a canvas on the wall in our living room and painted just for the fun of painting. I didn’t think about making it a career; after a year of painting at home, I started sharing some paintings via my Instagram account with my 5K followers on Instagram. 1,5 years later, my account has almost 120k followers, and Instagram and painting have become my main income.

IMN: I love the conceptual work of fashion collections and really feel like it transfers to my paintings. Telling stories over multiple paintings, creating a cohesive collection with every painting being unique and still part of a greater concept.

IMN: I know what I like more, and I have learned to trust my instincts and not overthink every little detail. Painting is a very meditative and therapeutic activity for me, and I need to paint for my mental health. Becoming a mom has been overwhelming at times, and taking care of my own needs has become kind of secondary. With painting, I have found a good self-care activity while being productive.

IMN: When I started painting during the pandemic, I started by capturing moments and still life from inside our apartment. And the more our social life came back, the more I captured the things we missed so much in isolation and that had become so valuable: being out with friends, having good food, and going on vacation. But also as a highly sensitive person, my everyday life started to feel more vibrant again—noticing so many different objects, stories, and conversations at the same time, barely able to filter things out—and I feel like that also transfers into my paintings.

IMN: I have always been super specific about colour, what colours I like, which I don’t like, what combinations work, and which don’t. It's a lot about balance and a very intuitive process. The same goes for composition.

IMN: I was scared in the beginning and felt like I was entering a world where I didn’t know any rules or guidelines. Not having studied art and not knowing any artists or gallerists personally, it was kind of overwhelming. But to be honest, everyone I have met so far has been kind and supportive. I have realized that the industry is changing frequently, and there are so many motivated people working for change. I am on an unusual or rather new path into the art world, so I feel like I can make my own rules and guidelines and only work with people who are excited for change and new possibilities.

IMN: Instagram is a great way to get to know the person behind the art, and I feel like that’s a big part of artists' success on Instagram today. On the one hand, it kind of adds a layer of pressure to constantly feel obligated to post what I’m working on and share aspects of my personal life, but on the other hand, it’s buying me so much time and freedom to paint since I can earn money by posting. It hasn’t changed my practice as a painter yet. I often feel overwhelmed by Instagram, though.

IMN: It probably does lead to more commercial jobs, but if it really helps to sell art, I’m not quite sure yet. But it's an amazing opportunity to reach people.

IMN: Do it with passion and stick to it. Don’t care what other people might think. It will probably take longer than you would like it to.