I grew up ‘free range’ in a small town in Germany and studied Philosophy and Japanology at the University of Hamburg. Gaining scholarships, I studied the Japanese language, culture, art and philosophy in Japan, where I led a fairly monastic life while I completed my Masters in Buddhist Philosophy. Visiting a friend in New Zealand, I experienced the ‘kiwi way’, trained as a high school teacher and have been in education ever since. I am a self taught artist whose creative practice has evolved into my ikigai. I enjoy the meditative journey and the freedom painting offers and explore different media, viewpoints and techniques.

I love landscapes and abstractions yet I am drawn to the human experience – our shared joys, sufferings, hopes and dreams. As such I paint portraits to capture compassion, connection and the depth of the human spirit. Join me on an artistic journey towards a better life and a wisdom that is accessible to all of us.

My solo exhibitions “Becoming” at the Back Studio in Oct 2021 and “Art Seeks Wisdom” in May 2024 at the Incubator explore what connects us and what we have to offer to one another. 20% of my profits go to Live for More in Tauranga, supporting rangatahi finding freedom.