Artist Bio, Statement, Shows & Awards

A R T I S T   B I O

I was born in Hamburg, Germany, grew up nearby Cologne, and lived in Aachen before moving to the US.
Graduated from high school in 1984, major subjects: Art and English.
After high school, I apprenticed in the printing industry for three years (regular time for apprenticeship in Germany) before applying to an arts college.

In 1992, I graduated with a BA in Graphic and Design from Kunstschule Alsterdamm (arts college) in Hamburg, Germany. I then worked for several design firms in Germany before moving to the US in 1996.

With the Greencard in my pocket I made my living as a freelance Graphic Designer in Charlotte, NC until 2001.
In 2001 I started working as a music teacher with my husband James Harden, a musician, producer, private music teacher and owner of Music People Studios in Charlotte.

Shortly after I started my own music school Harmony House for Kids, creative education in music for children ages 5 and up (see HarmonyHouse4Kids). As well as my art business Petra4Design.

I got interested in tile paintings a few years ago when we started renovating our kitchen (still an ongoing project, never ending I’m afraid) and I thought some artwork behind my stove would look nice. But I couldn’t find anything that matched my design style. So, I spent some time on research, talked a lot to some professionals, had some trial and errors until I finally finished my first tile painting. I was hooked!

In 2018/2019 I worked as a Docent at the MINT Museum in Charlotte .
I think being surrounded by great art on a weekly basis has triggered my desire to spend more time on my own artistic development.

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My husband, our son and I are very thankful that our dog Twinkie makes room for us so we can all share the space
in our house and studio in Charlotte.
 

In case you wonder, although “Petra” is Greek and means “rock”, it is a very common name in Germany.
 

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A R T I S T   S T A T E M E N T
I have worked in the field of Graphic Design for almost 30 years. What I enjoyed most was the challenge of creating a Logo for either an organization or a product. A logo is a sign created out of letters and/or a stylized picture that the organization can identify with and the customer easily recognizes. A nicely designed logo is memorable and distinctive as well as graphic and simple.

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I have also been working as a music teacher for children ages 5 to 11 in the past 20 years. The work with children, and raising my son, has in some ways forced me to think simple and structured as well. I have to bring notes,
beat, rhythm and everyday challenges down to a simple form to make it understandable and appropriable for children. Almost like the process of creating a Logo, to bring an idea or message down to the simplest but most expressive point.

 

I literally enjoy all styles of art! No matter what platform or technique.
I always encourage my students to picture music as a painting and listen to paintings as if they are music.

 

In 2018/2019 I volunteered as a Docent at the MINT Museum in Charlotte.
I think being surrounded by great art on a weekly basis has triggered my desire to spend more time on my own artistic development.

 

All these experiences help me to work as a tile artist today. As a tile artist, I am in some ways limited to how
I can bring my paint (underglazes) onto tiles. It is a work that is not completed in a fast manner.
I have to carefully plan how to design the motif, what colors to choose, how to layer the background and foreground, and consider how the grout lines run.
 

I am trying to use those challenges and turn them into an advantage, like a tool to express what I see or feel.
They are inviting me to be creative and to think in an abstract yet playful and organic way.
I am very much enjoying this process, going through several stages of simplifying and still expressing what I have captured in my mind’s eye - and eventually bringing it to life with glazes on a tile.

 

My preferred subject is nature; trees, flowers and water. I enjoy bright and expressive colors. Outdoor walks
with my family and dog as well as an afternoon spent in a museum, a good meal and great music makes me happy.
I draw inspiration from all kinds of arts and artists.
Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Joan Miro and Niki de Saint Phalle are some of my favorite artists.

 

Art on tiles and mosaics have been man-made and used for thousands of years. They are durable and easy to maintain. They are functional as well as decorative.

I use bisque (already fired) tiles in sizes ranging from 1” x 1” to as large as 12” x 12”and treat them like a canvas.
A canvas that can fit into any space, large or small, indoors as well as outdoors. Because the glazes are fired, the colors don’t fade. Tiles endure the elements and are a joy to look at for years to come.
 

I know that this is just the beginning of my tile painting  journey. There is so much more to discover and so much more to learn. I am looking forward to every day that I can spend in my studio to create new tile paintings.