1. How did you come to be an artist?
My parents were art-lovers, and they regularly took me to exhibitions when I was a child. My father and my uncle both painted as a form of relaxation, and for many years my mother practised ceramic modelling. My parents encouraged my artistic creativity, which already in my childhood was evident; and I also gained encouragement from art lessons at school. In critical phases of my youth and on my time as a student, I repeatedly found comfort and new confidence through artistic activities.
2. What inspires you? How do you find your subjects?
I find the work of other artists very inspiring. But also being on my own leads me to “strange ideas”. In problematic phases of my life I need creative artistic activities in order to find myself, and to acquire new clarity.
3. Where do your works of art develop?
In the world of my imagination.
4. How did you learn your artistic techniques?
I was self-taught.
5. What is the most important thing, for you personally, that someone has ever said or written about one of your artworks?
“...that's fantastic!”
“Creations by Schmidt reimagine the lamp shade” (Lori Waxman, Documenta 2012)
6. In 3 sentences: why do you create works of art?
Artistic creation is essential for my life, because it keeps me alive. I'm fascinated by light in all its variations and I need art to give this fascination a mode of expression. Creating artworks gives my creativity its release.
7. Which techniques do you prefer, and why?
I work with all techniques and all materials that seem appropriate for each project.
8. How long do you usually need for a work of art?
That depends entirely on the work.
9. Have particular people influenced your art?
My parents and all the many artists whose work I have encountered.
10. What question, which we have not given, would you like to answer here?
I have been making my “Lights Fantastic” for ten years now – and trying to market them for the past six years. Over and over again I notice that it is mostly young people who fall in love with my “crazy lights”. Often they recognise lamps from the years between the 40s and the 70s, which they have seen in their grandparents' houses – and they are fascinated by my creative re-interpretation of traditional forms.
