Daily Stroll vs. Daily Scroll or: It is solved by walking.*

When I don’t know what to do, I go for a walk. 

In front of a beatuifully painted wall, 5th district, Vienna.

In my neighbourhood, downtown Vienna, a park, anywhere I am really.

To me, walking is a deceivingly simple, yet powerful practice. My favorite way to get away from any screen, because wow, that line between inspiration and addictive (or even avoidant) habit is getting oh-so-thin lately.

Also, 99.9% of the time, I have one (or several) creative problems I am trying to solve, or some big unanswered questions rolling around in my head, and I just take them with me.

August sky over Vienna, 5th district (no editing or filters, it was that blue for real.)

This is a practice that has been ingrained into my bones and very being since I was little. Once a day, we had to go out! This was a non-negotiable rule set by my mother. Many of my happiest childhood memories took place ‘outside’. Later, as a teenager and young adult, it felt too restrictive - no matter the weather or mood - there were no excuses accepted and I often found taking walks boring and uncomfortable. 

It wasn’t until the last couple of years that I have found a new appreciation for the simple act of … walking. Alone. Just for the sake of it. Not for health benefits, not to get anywhere, not to achieve anything other than more lightness in my being. Through movement and paying attention and letting my thoughts wander, while not pushing for any specific outcome.

Ultimate window sill gardening. 15th district, Vienna

It is a ritual of sorts. 

It comforts me, it distracts me, it delights me, it rearranges me. 

It takes me out of my head and the endless over-thinking. 

Bonus: I get to see all these interesting places. Sometimes I take my phone to capture what I see, often not. I thought I’d share some impressions in this space every now and then. Also: Vienna is SO beautiful (Yes, I am totally biased when it comes to my hometown!)

rose gardens at Volksgarten, view to Burgtheater, 1st district, downtown Vienna

Open windows, how inviting is this coffee house corner?!

Volksgarten again. Lots of construction to renovate the parliament.

Trees in my neighbourhood park in full bloom.

Public flowerbed, bursting a-bloom after historic rain-record in May this year. And yes, I looove the painted curb.

I especially like to go the same route(s), over and over. Somehow, it never gets boring! It feels more like comfort. As if the appreciation and love for where I live is deepening, and I notice even more details and tiny changes.

The latest creation, powered by walking and inspired by the beautiful summer weather in Vienna lately, aptly titled “Perfect Summer Day”. 24x30cm acrylic on canvas, available HERE.

‘Perfect summer day’, 24x30cm acrylic on canvas. Available HERE

*Post inspired by  a quote from St. Augustine: ‘Solvitur ambulando’ which is latin for ‘It is solved by walking.’ I agree.

New Painting: Higher Self

Here is the latest painting I finished, called ‘Higher Self’:

It is part of a little batch of paintings that I created quite spontaneously a few weeks ago. This one is the first I present here, because it speaks to me the most. It was a really good painting session, I totally got into that magical state of flow where you just do your thing without thinking. I did not plan to paint something figural, it just happened! It continues with the theme of working with my favourite color combo of teal, orange and magenta.

For a long time, these have been my favorite colors to paint with. Remind me of sunsets and the magic hour of dawn, when everything gets that special glow as the sun sets, and you get the best photos of your subjects. It’s like a person, made up of this kind of moment!

At first, I thought the two heads were a little creepy. What was THAT? A representation of one’s one shadow, a demon, or…? But as time passed, and I kept looking at the painting, I actually liked one of the comments I got from a friend as a feedback the most: that the darker, smaller head represents our true self, our innermost core, who we really are. It appears as if it is hidden, because we do not show it all the time in real life, and maybe also need to protect it every now and then.

You can find this painting in my shop HERE.

New painting - 'Mallorca'

This is my latest painting, 'Mallorca' (50x70cm, acrylic on canvas). It was inspired by a trip to Mallorca this spring. 

The colour teal and all its nuances have been my favorite color for a long time, and the teal coloured ocean on the island reminded me of that, so it found its way into this painting. 

Also, I am still obsessed with mandalas, and how to combine the intricate details of them with more lose elements of the painting, like brushstrokes and dripping or splattering paint. 

The painting has a few layers that you can see peeking through in the mandala. I love how the warm and cool colours complement each other and make the whole piece work. 

'Mallorca' is available here.