What is the best thing that I love about my work? That I found it at all, or rather that it found me – so that I can, through my work, harness and make use of the gifts and talents that I have been endowed with.

What is my idea of happiness? Being happy to me is the state of being, where my inner child and my mind are in harmony. When the primal, full of child-like trust, and the mind, sharpened by life, complement each other and are in perfect balance. Oh how beautiful, in this state of being, to watch falling autumn leaves, to observe a bee flying from flower to flower, to taste a piece of pie, oh how sweet a kiss from the beloved. Happiness is the state, where every little particle in me is dancing.

What is my greatest fear? I had the privilege to learn that fear is, more often that not, unfounded and that fear can never banish the problems that overwhelm us or threaten to break us. Quite the opposite, in fact, fear will cripple you and can send you to your doom. The only thing that makes sense to me is to overcome my fears and stride through the darkness, to face fear and the challenges behind it. One could say that I have left fear behind and that I face my life full of confidence, love and the knowledge, that I am going to be able to and will continue to grow with every quest, no matter how beautiful or tough – until the day comes, when my soul is mature enough for harvesting.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? I long contemplated this question, but nothing comes to mind. I am satisfied with my strengths and flaws. Anything else would be to strive for perfection, which is unattainable and not my goal, or which is – as the saying goes – the prerogative of the gods.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? There is no one i admire. Admiration i give to the wonders of nature and to things to big for a humans heart and brain – like the red of a sunset or the sound of a river. But there are some wonderful colleagues i sincerely appreciate. And i am sure there are waiting more of them in future so i will answer that question when i am much older and wiser….with 99.

What is my greatest extravagance? I often revel in idleness, where I only feel, dream, reminisce and contemplate all on my own, alone with my inner voice. I consciously take time to be alone, so that I can listen to myself, reflect and calibrate.

On what occasion would I lie? I live by the saying: “When you have nothing nice to say about a person, don’t say anything.” That spares me the necessity of lying. To lie to oneself, well that is something entirely different – which has happened to me on many an occasion, but fortunately, I eventually catch myself doing it every time… which of course is a lie in itself, as I have a hunch that I am too smart to actually catch myself every single time.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? The art-business itself, wherein I have to find my path. It is as a huge circus, in which I, as an aerial acrobat, have to constantly be careful not to fall, to reach out to the right actors in flight, to evade the animal tamers on the ground, who would like to see me at their level and to steer clear of the directors who want to sign me up just so they can make a quick buck.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? There is no one apex. I feel awash in happiness with each and every new idea – in those moments, when I receive inspiration for a new piece of art, I feel this emotion deep in my soul that I am sheltered, protected and guided. It is a feeling of comfort that encompasses me when I create my art in the course of days, weeks and months in this strange world that has become so dear to me.

If I could, what would I change about myself? Nothing. As long as I am not standing still, or all of a sudden live by the creed that my view of this world is the only one that is true, everything is fine with me.

What is my greatest achievement in work? That neither the educational system nor the demands or criticisms of society succeeded in me betraying my inner child or turning my back on my gift. That I am unruly, like poison ivy – ivy that can be destroyed… and still regain strength, twine upwards and regrow its place in the world.

Where would I most like to live? Where my heart feels at home – with the people that I love and the one person who is the safe haven for my heart.

What is my most treasured possession? My soul and my heart, spirit and body, through and with which I am blessed to walk along the path of this life.

What is my most marked characteristic? The trait that, given enough time, I can totally forgive anyone – which is perhaps more useful to me than to my counterpart.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? The place that surprises me – be it a dandelion breaking through concrete, architectural features that I descry anew, the squirrel jumping through the park, or faces that I can study while strolling about. The place is not fixed – it exists in the moment and its magic.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? The one where I take a seat with my beloved. It can be a fragrant meadow in the park, my favourite merry pub or a kebab shop with its bustling atmosphere.

What books influenced my life and how? The Lord of the Rings – as it contains an imaginary world which is very close to my own reality, and in whose depths I discover pearls of wisdom that serve as my compass.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? I would close my eyes and listen to the “music” of my most beautiful memories: the laughter of people that I love, who are long gone or still alive, the dabbling and gurgling of the creek where I loved to linger, pleasant words that caressed and guided me, the sound of the sea, the song of birds, the whispering of the wind, my own breath and heartbeat that is getting ready for traveling to another place. And hopefully the voice of a person who holds a piece of my heart, and who dedicates to me the most beautiful verse that life can write: I love you, I remember – until the moment, when we meet again.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Samwise Gamgee

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My brothers Leonhard and Christoph, from whom I was lucky enough to learn so much about life, staying true to yourself, letting go and dying. They enriched my life with so many experiences. My man who every day bestows upon me his truth, authenticity, patience and love. My mother who, despite all of the severe storms and tempests in her life, stayed a tender-hearted, trusting and courageuos person.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? Not a movie, a book – so your own distinctive images can materialize out of the lines of the story in your very own mind. And that would probably be Lord of the Rings.

What role play stories in my life and work? A huge one. Concerning my work, I see myself as a storyteller – instead of words I let images, symbols, lines and colours tell the tales, myths and epics. On the other hand the structures of my life were and are built on the support beams of stories and fables. There always is a fictional character who can serve as my role model through his pain, her heroism, his magnanimity or her patience. In a manner of speaking, my own life is one big fairy tale… thinking of it, I would even say, essentially, everyone’s life is.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? I believe them to be true and inherently consistent. I am telling myself my own story by living it and by constantly reflecting on it – although it has been written by someone else… I hope with countless felicitous new beginnings and a peaceful happy end.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? Those who I know about are probably all in it together with me, everyone in their own way, their unique style, and wholeheartedly. Those who I do not know about yet are doubtless delightful to get to know. Outshining everyone, however, is perhaps my mother – but I guess that is always the case with mums, as long as life wishes you well.

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2022? I am truly curious what an Art Advisor, Curator and Writer like Maria Brito from NY would say about my art and poetry. Or what a Gallery Owner and passionated Art Currator like Vito Schnabel has to say about my art and writing no matter what tiny fish i am in the big pond of the Artbusinessworld. Same with Artists which work in the name of Music like Devin Townsend or Florence Welch from Florence and the Mashine. Characters i never met in real life but gave inspiration and the magic flow to me troughout their music – this spark i need to start with a new Artwork. And because i love beautyful and filigrane things like porcelain, i sometimes dream about that a company like Villeroy & Boch or Wedgewood would like to have a Artwork made by me for one of their collections. But anyways – the new year will bring what is ment for me and i am happy, grateful and honoured, that i can experience my 41th New Years Eve in a save and peaceful place in life.

What project, in 2022, am I looking forward to work on? To realize on paper or canvas at least twelve of the many images in my head. As to which one will give me the greatest pleasure, I am curious myself.

Where can you see me or my work in 2022? Let us see what will be permissible in times of Corona.

tamarakolb.com
tamara.kolb.art at Insta
TamaraKolb at fb

in the gallery I always present and sell my artworks: https://bakerhousegallery.com/

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? True!

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?
Carola Deutsch
Marion Rauter
Stefan Lozar
Tom Lohner

How can you contact me?
art@tamarakolb.com