1) What is your work about?
I have always been fascinated by death and vanitas allegories in all forms, by the fact that everything has to fade away at some point; that there is nothing everlasting. The surface of things may look joyous, glittery and beautiful, but behind it, there is decay and death.
I like to use symbolism: For example, ruins show the degeneration and decline of civilizations. Sunsets indicate not only the end of a day, but the ending of entire eras. Flowers are fragile things. And my figures know that they, too, will die.
2.) What inspires you?
Many, many things. In the first place, old towns like Florence, Siena, Ljubljana, Amsterdam or just little villages. I love places that tell so many stories and history. Then there is music, mostly Subway To Sally (Alternative) or classical music. I also love Sting’s interpretation of the songs by John Dowland.
When not painting, I’m either writing stories or sticking my nose into a book – I love everything that entertains and contains interesting characters. I like Boccaccio’s Decamerone, Wagner’s Lohengrin, Patrick Süskind’s Perfume and old myths and stories in general, and as well novels of all kind.
3.) Why do you paint?
Why not?
4. ) What did you color/paint this image with?
This information can be found in the description below every image here on Mondhase.de. The media I use mostly, are digital (Photoshop and Wacom tablet) and traditional (charcoal, watercolor, oil paints, etc.)
5.) Where did you learn to draw/paint?
At home, during class, on the bus… I’m still self taught. I paint almost every day, sometimes up to several hours a day.
In 2008 I started studying at Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy.
6.) Can I put one or more of your images on my website?
Yes, but there are restrictions, so please read the Copyright Info first.
7.) How long have you been painting now?
I’ve been drawing since I can hold a pencil.
Digital painting I started in 2003.
9.) What is the best way to contact you?
For questions, general feedback, commissions, etc., you can e-mail me at maidith (at) hotmail.de
10.) Can you make me a free painting? / Do you do requests?
No. I’m really sorry, but I can’t do requests.
11.) Are there other online galleries where your work can be seen?
Yes, there are:
http://maidith.deviantart.com
http://maidith.gfxartist.com
http://nagini.epilogue.net
12.) Do you sell prints/reproductions?
Yes, you can buy prints of my work at http://maidith.deviantart.com/store/
13.) Can I link to your site?
Sure, that’d make me happy :) If you like, you can use my banners in the Links section.
14.) How long does it take you to finish a painting?
It depends: It takes very long every time, approximately 15 to 50 hours for a digital painting. That’s because in digital media, I work on a very big format and spend lots of time on the small details. Traditional media painting takes less long – an oil or watercolor painting about 3 to 20 hours.
Studies and speedpaints usually don’t take me more than 2 hours.
15.) Do you use a graphic tablet? Which one?
All digital paintings before August 2007 were painted using an Aiptek HyperPen 12000U tablet.
The ones after this date I painted using a Wacom Intuos3 A5 tablet.
16.) What is the meaning of “Mondhase”?
Mondhase is the German word for “moon rabbit”. The moon rabbit is a creature from Japanese mythology; it is said to live on the moon where it makes mochi (sticky rice cake).
17.) Who are your favorite artists?
My favorite artists are J.M. William Turner (his late works from 1830-1851), as well as John Everett Millais, Titian, John Singer Sargent, Rembrandt, Caravaggio and many others.
Contemporary traditional artists whose work I love are Kinuko Craft, Jeremy Lipking (and many others).
My favorite digital artists are, among many others, Craig Mullins, Ruan Jia, Jean Tay, Linda Bergkvist and Kuang Hong.
18.) What are your hobbies?
- Cooking and baking and forcing the results upon people! xD
- Writing stories
- Collecting antique books dating from 1850 and older
- Reading, I read all kinds of books, also comics and manga
- Trying new food I’ve never eaten before
- Looking at art