It has been years since I came across her art for the first time, and I have been following her around ever since. Every time Catrin Welz-Stein publishes a new illustration on her blog it seems to be even more beautiful than the previous ones. Using Photoshop as a base, Catrin creates them from old photo fragments, paintings and illustrations. And the results are breathtaking: so creative, romantic & surreal… and an overruling presence of beauty in each single one of them.
Yes. I’m quite honoured that my first-ever interview on this brand new blog is with Catrin Welz-Stein. I hope you’re all as curious about the women behind these works as I was!
Website: catrinwelzstein.blogspot.com
Also posting on: Facebook
Selling on: Society6
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and about your background?
I’m a mother of two and a housewife, and an artist with a graphic design background.
How did you become the artist you are today?
I have a degree in Graphic Design and I used to work as a graphic designer in different advertisement and design agencies. Even though I liked my work I never had the feeling I could live out my creativity completely. There where always restrictions in some kind of way. When I became a mother, I quit my work. I intended to be there for my children, and as a compensation, I began to create digital images in my spare time. I also started to present my work online and was surprised about the positive feedback I got. Since then I enjoy creating new images and I hope I never have to stop.
Can you describe to us how a normal day in your life looks like?
Most of the day, I’m a mother. Getting the children to school, cooking, doing housework and having outdoor activities with the children. My work as an artist begins mostly in the evenings, when everything is quiet and I’m in an creative mood.
Can you describe the technical process of creating your works?
My work is based on digital collaging in Photoshop. I have a big source of old photographs, illustrations, and paintings. I create new images by cutting, copying, transforming little pieces together and blending them.
What things go through your mind when you are creating art?
I seldom have a finished image in my head when I begin a new image. I try a lot of variations, before I decide to go for one. At some point, I suddenly get an idea of how the image should look like and what it is about. This is the moment when I know I will finish my work and can be satisfied.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I do not know, I think it is a mix of everything in life…
Some of the aspects I love about your works is that they are often color-filled, romantic and dreamy. Are you a dreamer?
I think I am!
Are there any specific elements that you tend to communicate through your artworks?
Picasso once said painting images is like writing a diary…I feel the same. There are feelings and emotions in my images. I think they reflect myself in being a woman in many ways…
From your own collection, do you have a piece that is your favourite?
Every last image I create is my favourite one!
Who is your alltime favourite artist, and why?
If I had to choose one artist, I would go for Gustav Klimt. I love everything about his style. His use of colours, of patterns and figures inspires me.
How do you feel about the internet as an art medium?
I feel very positive about it. Nowadays you do not have to go to the Louvre, if you want to have a closer look at Mona Lisa. She is only a mouse-click away.
As an artist, what are your plans and expectations for the future? Can we expect to enjoy many more new works?
Oh yes! I hope I can create more work in future!
Thank you very much, Catrin! We’re looking forward to enjoy many more works in the future. And for now, here’s a selection of my favourites:
Catrin is a true talent. I find her work inspirational. I also work with photoshop to create illustations and I truly adore her work.