An interview with Beate Knappe

I would like to introduce to you Beate Knappe in the first interview from our European visitors.  Beate lives and works in Germany and is a multi-talented lady who has a huge interest in Mixed Media Art, Photography and Blogging to name but a few.  I invite you to get to know a little about her and her work in the following interview.  I have a feeling you won’t be disappointed

Chris  - What is your art and craft background, are you self taught or have you had any formal training ?

Beate   In my childhood I took pleasure in crafts such as knitting, sewing and embroidery which was unusual for someone in my family.  I always did it in my own way.  I was interested in art which was also unusual for someone in my family.  At the age of 14, I began to be a photographer and I loved it.  My first camera was the same age as me… it was a Rollei. 

 I had an apprenticeship diploma as a photographer, but that was not enough.  So after 20 years of working in this field, employed and freelance, I decided to go to University and study Communication Design.  At this time I worked as a freelancer and  was a single mother to Sarah born in 1977.  During my study my main interest was for creation and design and what was the image and social picture of WOMAN.  I am always a searcher :) 

I am almost self-taught in the mixed media field I am in today I think, but I take classes by other artists and read many books.  I am interested in the Biography of Artists.  I am a visual person and have good visual remembrance so I love to go to Exhibits and I am going with an open mind around the world

Chris -  What or who inspired you to begin creating with Mixed Media ?

Beate   I really have no idea, I love to work with my hands and also to create, and I think maybe some materials have a soul, so that is the reason I cannot throw anything away  :)  When I am in the studio taking photographs, I am alive and in one piece, it is the same with mixed media …  It is something I want to do and it fulfills a need in me.

Chris -  I feel emotional when looking at some of your fantastic artwork… does your mood at the time you create have an impact on your finished piece?

Beate  Oh yes always!!  If I am doing a Mixed Media piece it is all about mood and emotion.

Chris  -  Your creations are so beautiful and your artwork so varied in it’s form… where does the idea for a piece begin ?

Beate   In the beginning… almost 3 years ago it was a need to create, that need is still there and also it is something like a feeling… a question I have and also my Online Workshops. 

Sometimes it is a theme that I am thinking about like “Age”, I like to alter “My Life” or”Springtime.” I like to work with quotes too… they mean a lot to me.

Since I worked with Mixed Media I have learned not to be perfect because Art is not perfection.  Art is the kind of opposite of “Hold on tight and don’t let go.”  I let myself be inspired by the fabric, fibre, buttons, yarn and colours allowing them to “talk” to me and my work is the answer.

Chris - Apart from crafting, what is your favourite way to relax?

Beate   Watch a movie on DVD and go for a walk with my dog Negrita.  I love to walk because I can think at this time and so I can create new things in my mind.  I love to do this.  I also love to listen to music or audio books and I  love my iPod.

Chris  - You work a lot with felt, making your own with your Embellisher machine… What attracts you to this medium in particular?

Beate   This is difficult to answer… I am a photographer and down to earth kind of person.  If you had told me four years ago that I would create and make things like I do today I wouldn’t have believed you. 

Something changed in my life and I feel very attracted to this kind of stuff.  It is a kind of feeling that seems to come to me from deep inside - yes, that I would say.  I like to touch wool and felt… it makes me feel good.

I do not like to make even seams, you know… I like to do things that get the most out of me… it is a kind of emotional release.  I do not like to do things in the normal way.  To create with the Embellisher is to create in an unusual style and then I work in my own style.  I am not a painter but paint a picture in my own way.  I get into a flow with my work and wonder how it will end.  The Embellisher allows me this freedom so is a good tool for me… I can do what I feel and like to do and the Embellisher enables me in this way.

Beate   One year ago I began to work with the Embellisher and could not find instructions in German.  So I wrote my own Workshop and as people loved it I decided to do more.

Then people started to ask about my Photography so I decided to share my knowledge about this with them also.  At the time I was also thinking of a way to supplement my income so I founded my “Kreativ Academie” or Creative Academy for online classes.  My main interest is to help people become creative in their own way.  I believe to be creative is to keep your soul healthy and this is important.

I wrote two ‘Zines’ in 2007 “Creativity and Self Sabotage” and “Creature to bless you.”  The purpose of these Zines is to inspire and help people to be creative.  My Embellisher Workshops and Zines are available in English but my Online classes are only in German - sorry.

Also in October 2008 a new Online class will start “Creativity and Self Expression”  I love to encourage others to do what they love to do… nothing more.

Beate   My sewing machine and my Camera

Chris -  Do you have any favourite Crafting Magazine and/or blogs you like to read and could you share them with us?

Beate   There are so many blogs that I like to read on a daily basis and also flickr albums I love  to watch.  Go to my flickr album and look up my favourites and then you will understand me.  I also read Quilting Arts Magazine, Cloth Paper Scissors, Fibre and Stitch and other similar ones.

Chris -  Where can we see more of your fabulous Creations?

Beate    You will find more on my blog,  my flickr album and soon on my website.  If you look here this is where you will find out all about me and know about me on the web

I would like to thank Beate for allowing us this glimpse into her wonderfully creative world and for sharing her beautiful work with us.  Thank you Beate x 

I hope you enjoyed the interview and take the opportunity to visit Beate on her blog to see more of her creations in the future.