“I guess I can’t decide on one place. I call the world my home.” Home, for German painter Anna van den Hövel, has never been about four walls or a single city. Raised among the scenic vistas of Menorca, the towering Austrian Alps, and the urban hum of Munich, she found her sense of belonging in the open horizons and cultural tapestries that shaped her childhood. Even then, she felt an unspoken pull toward exploring the world through creativity—capturing the interplay of nature and human expression, seeking meaning in every texture, sound, and color around her.
It’s no surprise, then, that Anna’s art forms an enthralling intersection of travel, emotion, and nature’s raw materials. She layers acrylic paint, second-hand lacquers, and even earth or mortar to reflect the complexity of the landscapes that captivate her. In this way, her art becomes a doorway, inviting us to discover the untapped landscapes of our own minds—where the most fulfilling and significant explorations happen within us. Here, Anna opens up about her global influences, her dynamic process, and the personal stories woven into her abstract paintings.
Images: courtesy of the artist
You’ve mentioned traveling as a major influence on your work. Could you share a memorable travel experience?
For me, Nepal has a spiritual and artistic dimension. The mysterious mountain world of the Himalayas and the deep connection of the people to nature, combined with their culture and their life, inspired me when I was there. It is worth mentioning my trek to the Annapurna base camp, which is characterized by steep slopes from subtropical forests to snow-capped hills. The environment informed some of my work, including my piece “Kathmandu”, for which I mixed green and natural pigments into the soil that would later become incorporated into the painting. I was fortunate to be able to donate this painting to a foundation in Nepal.
Which place do you currently call home?
I guess I can’t decide on one place. I call the world my home.
Austria is known for its breathtaking mountains and nature. How important is nature for your inspiration and mental health?
Nature is invaluable to me. I could sit in a field for hours looking at the texture of the grass without noticing the passage of time. Moments like these ground me and are a reminder of how small and insignificant we are in the bigger picture. This humility and connection with nature is essential to my well-being and flows directly into my art.
You combine different materials in your art—such as acrylics, second-hand lacquers, earth, and mortar. What drives your choice of these raw or recycled materials?
My artistic practice is process-oriented and intuitive. I use different materials to create layers and textures that reflect the complexity of the landscapes I experience. Using recycled or natural materials such as earth and mortar allows me to create a deeper connection to nature and the places that inspire me; it makes me feel like my work is coming to life.
“Abstract painting allows me to express my emotional responses to places and experiences… It offers the freedom to convey complex feelings and impressions.”
Your work often reflects a journey or internal reflection. Are there particular artworks tied to personal stories that you’re comfortable discussing?
My series “Berlin 0-XII” is closely linked to my personal experiences in Berlin. The city has a unique energy that encompasses both beauty and darkness. This duality and the encounters with different people there have strongly influenced the works in this series.
What led you to choose abstract painting as your primary art form?
Abstract painting allows me to express my emotional responses to places and experiences without being bound to the representation of concrete forms. It offers the freedom to convey complex feelings and impressions through colors, textures and compositions, which for me is the most honest way to portray my inner feelings.
“Nature is invaluable to me. I could sit in a field for hours looking at the texture of the grass without noticing the passage of time.”
Could you describe your typical routine or mindset when starting a new piece?
I usually start with an idea, an image in my head coupled with a feeling I want to express. As I create, I let myself be guided by the materials and my emotions, reacting to what is happening on the canvas and often discovering new aspects of my own perception.
Where do you see yourself in around 10 years?
In ten years, I hope to continue traveling the world, discovering new cultures and landscapes, and incorporating these experiences into my art. I strive to further develop my artistic practice and make my work accessible to a wider audience worldwide. I also hope to support even more social projects within the scope of my possibilities and thus be able to give something back to our planet.
www.annavandenhoevelstudio.com
