Drawing is pure happiness.
—We’re starting to see more of your work in Japan, and it seems like you’ve established your own style. Are there still things you challenge yourself with while painting?
Stephan: My work changes almost every day. They’re really just tiny changes, though. When I finish a drawing, I feel satisfied and think, “I did it!” But the next day, I’m already trying something new—like, “Let’s try drawing with this kind of line.” I don’t even know myself where these changes are leading. They’re just changing, that’s all. If you look at my airplane paintings, I think you’ll see a clear difference between the ones I made 20 years ago and my current works.
Stephan: Also, being able to draw so many airplanes on this trip was a really great opportunity for me. I got to see all kinds of views from Haneda, and I really enjoyed it. Once I get back to Berlin, I plan to create some works in oil paint. It’ll be a chance to try a technique that’s different from drawing. So, there’s no end to it.
—I wonder if your own perspective has changed as well. It’s as if the way you view the subject has changed.
Stephan: I'm sure that's the case. As I've gotten older and gained more experience as an artist, I've started to observe my subjects more carefully than I used to. I take my time and don't rush things as much as I used to. That has become a very important element in my creative process.
—What started as a hobby I enjoyed has turned into a career, and I think my life now revolves around painting. What does “painting” mean to you, Stefan?
Stephan: For me, painting is pure happiness. The time I spend painting alone is also a solitary time spent with myself. But because it feels as if I’m having a conversation with the painting I’m creating, strangely enough, I don’t feel lonely. Even today, as I was painting on this wall here, I felt incredibly happy. The very act of painting brings me joy and fills me with a sense of fulfillment.
—Is there anything you’d like to take on next?
Stephan: Of course. There are still so many things I want to try, like exhibitions and murals, and I’m also interested in works like stained glass. I’d like to try my hand at forms of expression that incorporate not just fine art but also artisanal techniques.
Recently, I released my handwriting as a typeface on a platform called Dynamo. Right now, it’s just the Latin alphabet, but someday I’d like to try creating a Japanese version too. It would be really cool if I could release it as a font that can actually be used on computers.
