Marcel Thiele is a German painter residing in Romania, who has given up professional stability and leading positions in international retail companies in order to fulfil his dream of having his own art studio. Slowly, without realizing it, Marcel turned his passion into a true full-time occupation, sometimes painting for days on end.
His professional background comprises the branch of international business management. He has worked and studied in many countries in Europe, including Germany, Ireland, Italy, France and Romania.
The artist Marcel Thiele always enjoys experimenting with new styles, materials and techniques, including nonconventional painting on different surfaces and everyday objects such as wine bottles, shoes, or even the body of his car.
From the basic colours – red, yellow and blue – which appear especially in his early work and which are considered by the artist as the ‘colours of my soul’, the chromatic combinations range on the course of his career from pastel colours to abstract contours interposed with inserts of textile material.
In Romania, he has also had a series of exhibitions, most importantly in the Mogosoaia Palace, Art Safari, Galeria Alexandra’s, JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, the Bucharest National Theatre etc.
At present, Marcel Thiele’s works are to be found in private collections all around Europe – in countries such as France, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium – as well as worldwide (Brazil, Mexic or the USA).
Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist?
I have been painting since I was a teenager. Later I used to paint after work while living in Romania and in Milano, merely to relax during the evenings. After finishing some paintings at home, I showed them to people or posted them on Facebook. One day, somebody approached me and asked me how much I would sell a certain painting for…that was the moment when I thought I could turn this into something more than a hobby!
Can you tell us more about the process of making your work?
All depends on the motivation. Maybe I had an impulse, or maybe I saw something in nature or on TV, so that I got inspired and curious about how this visual, coloristic impulse could be put on canvas. Then I start working on the idea on a trial-and-error basis. How can I create a painting matching my idea? I play with colors and wait for the results, adapt and change the technique till I am happy with the output, then I decide if it will be a series of more paintings or, like in the past, perhaps even a style that I will use in the future.
What piece of your artwork would you like to be remembered for?
For the one piece that will be as first exhibited in MOMA New York….
If you could work within a past art movement, which would it be?
Probably Impressionism like Paul Gauguin, I would have loved to paint in colourful Tahiti/Polinesia.
How would you define beauty in 140 characters or less?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and not objective. Regarding art, I think a painting is beautiful if it keeps the eyes of the beholder active and motivated to watch, if one can find new angles and sparkles and colors every time the painting is observed.
Do you have a favourite photograph or painting which inspires you?
Jackson Pollock, Number 1A, MOMA New York. It is a big painting, 173cm x 264cm hanging on the wall, on the first glance black and white, but when you come closer you see thousands shades of grey and all the other colors involved. I spent more than 1 hour watching it as closely as I could and in as much detail as possible.
What is your greatest indulgence in life?
Travelling and food.
What does “being creative” mean to you?
Being able to convert inspirational impulses and ideas into physical works of art.
What fragrance do you prefer: fresh or warm notes?
On me fresh definitely. On women warm notes.
Which artist of the past would you most like to meet?
Picasso.
Do you interact with the digital world/technology in your work?
I implement different objects into my art, such as bottles or pieces of my old car. We also made a series of paintings printed on silk scarfs. I made projects with interdisciplinary photographers creating mixed painting-photos, but technically I don’t employ digital techniques directly in my art.
Have you ever had a moment when you questioned your career entirely?
No.
What is your favorite art gallery in New York and why?
Not so much a gallery as a museum, the MOMA. It is the world center of Modern Art. Or, if you like it, the ‘Wimbledon’ of Modern Art.
Why do you organize studio visits?
It is a pleasure to have guests in my colorful studio. It is more than a place where art is created, it is also an exhibition space. I love to see the reactions of people when they open the door to this colorful El Dorado.
What is your daily routine when working?
There is no routine. It depends. If I work from inner inspiration and curiosity, then I can happen to be in the atelier as early as 8.00 in the morning because I can’t wait to see the results of my painting. Basically I paint during daytime/daylight as I prefer natural light. Sometimes I work for days without interruption, sometimes I don’t paint at all for a longer period of time.
What advice would you give to a young artist following in your steps?
To start by visiting museums and galleries (online galleries as well) and to understand what kind of art he is interested in. I can speak especially for abstract modern art. Here you just buy colors and canvases and try all sorts of things, adapting your results till you find your own style.
Do you have a favorite country?
Difficult question. All things considered I guess I love Italy, a country I lived in for more than 6 years.
Why do you love what you do so much?
Because I can leave something behind. I create something from my own motivation.
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