Ups and Downs, 2020

Christel Haag  

I am a self-taught abstract artist, I have travelled extensively, have spent several years in Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Today, I live and work in Munich, Germany. I have previously worked as an Instructor, Consultant for Foreign Students, as well as Public Relations Officer at Universities in Germany.
In 2002 I decided to follow my heart and dedicate more time to developing my skills as an Artist. Although predominantly a self-taught artist I continually take classes by leading and well-known artists at prestigious art institutions. This included studies at the European Academy of Fine Arts in Trier, the Summer Academy of Blieskastel, as well as a stay in Provence.
I have a deep passion for creating abstract art. Nature inspires and drives my work. Whilst the many marvellous impressions I take home from my travels frequently appear in their abstract form in my paintings. I also express the mood and feeling of a particular moment in time.                                                             
It is first and foremost the joy of painting, of colours, of the creative process itself and of the energy of being that drives my artistic creation.

Education:

Self-taught

Awards & Distinctions:

2017
2nd Chance Prize, Palm Art Award 2017
2016
Certificate of Excellence Palm Art Award
Certificate of Excellence Kitz Art Award
Certificate of Excellence Artavita Online Gallery
2015
Recognition Prize Palm Art Award
Certificate of Excellence Kitz Art Award
Certificate of Excellence Artavita Online Gallery

Exhibitions:

Dinamiche espressive, Galleria ARTtime, Udine, Italy
ART Salzburg Contemporary International, Austria
Plain White Canvas, Galerie M Beck im Haus der Unternehmerverbände, Saarbrücken, Germany
Art´p:ul Eupen, Belgium
Marziart Internationale Galerie, Hamburg, Germany
Art´p:ul, Messe für aktuelle Kunst, Pulheim, Germany
Galerie M Beck, Homburg/Saar, Germany
arte binningen, contemporary art fair, Switzerland
Art Fair Klagenfurt, Austria
Art Innsbruck, Messe für zeitgenössische Kunst, Austria
66. Bayreuther Kunstausstellung, Germany
63. Kunstausstellung Bayrischzell, Germany
The Miami Art Expo, Miami, USA
Colorida Art Gallery, Lissabon, Portugal
New Artist Fair, London, GB
Galleria De Marchi, Bologna, Italy
65. Bayreuther Kunstausstellung, Germany
62. Kunstausstellung Bayrischzell, Germany

 Artistic Influences:

Certain Art Movements have had a profound effect on me, for example, I have always been instinctively drawn to the works of the Impressionists and Expressionists, the freedom with which they explore colour and approach their subject matter has always fascinated me, even when still in education my room would be covered with prints of their works, a possible reminder of my deeper desire to be creative.
My methods and means of working have certainly evolved over the last fifteen years, today I work almost exclusively with acrylic paints on canvas. I find a flexibility in the use of acrylics but due to its quick drying nature I feel that it encourages me to work quickly and with energy. I believe that this need to get my ideas onto the canvas quickly is well suited to my style of painting and personal expression. When it comes to the tools used in getting paint onto the canvas I can be quite free, switching between various types of brushes, grabbing a spatula, squeegee or even a cloth, by not committing myself to only one tool I find that the spontaneity of my work gets transferred to the canvas.