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TALENTS: Andrea Krull – Danish Artist
Andrea Krull
FIND ME: @anndreakrull (personal) / @krullstudio (studio)
SECRET TALENT: To turn dreams of the night into creative ideas
What is creativity to you?
To dare to think differently and see the world through your own filter; to be immersed into your own world, take up residence there and create something you can take out into the real world again; to embark on a winding road where one does not know what lies ahead. I love how creativity can surprise – and also change – both time, body, mind and the place you are.
What does work mean to you?
My artistic work means everything to me. It has become such a fixed part of me as a human being, I cannot exists without working on my creative projects. Ever since I was a little girl, I expressed myself through drawings, paintings and photography – and I have always given my whimsical ideas room to grow. I was raised in a creative home with plenty of love, a graphic design agency in the backyard and brushes in the sink… Creativity has always had a special place in my heart.
“My work is often characterized by colors, a feminine twist and a playful curiosity – hopefully I can get the viewer to smile a little. I have been told since I was little that I must never let go of my inner child. I hope my work reflects this – and will continue to reflect this for a long time to come. ”
What do you think of when you hear the word ‘happiness’?
Something temporary. Happiness can occur in seconds and disappear just as quickly. But also, both joy and sorrow can be used in creating art, and they are essential to each other’s existence.
Who do you look up to?
I especially remember my grandfather’s workshop, which was tucked away behind wild plants in his little courtyard (Alice in Wonderland vibes!)
There were paper butterflies on the ceiling, pipes on the walls, little hidden treasures in every nook and a sweet smell of tobacco and motor oil – a pure joy to explore and be allowed to sit there and soak up impressions while he told stories from his life, and we painted and drew. In addition to the family inspirations, I love artists across different genres e.g. Hayao Miyazaki, David Shrigley, Wes Anderson, Walasse Ting, David Hockney, Issey Miyake, Pipilotti Rist, Joana Vasconcelos, Hilma af Klint, Ren Hang, Helen Frankenthaler and many more!
What inspires you?
Ever since I travelled to Tokyo and Kyoto, I have been deeply inspired by Japan and Japanese culture. But I can also be completely drawn to and often inspired by ordinary everyday moments – such as the kiosk man on the corner, who chases a sea of pigeons away in the morning snow, so they form a special pattern in the sky. Or the white Persian cat waving at me with its tail from my neighbour’s apartment… and trying to tell me some secret that I still have not completely cracked the code for!
Last time you laughed?
I laugh all the time! The other day I laughed when a piece of rice paper shrank and made these loud noises, where I got confused and thought it was a ghost. I also felt like laughing on my way home once early in the morning, biking through the empty streets of Copenhagen at four o’clock (meanwhile the rest of Copenhagen slept). I felt happy and deeply moved at the same time, because I felt so small in such a big and empty city – and yet I felt happy as the sun rose over the city and I was the first to feel its warmth on my face.
Latest text message you sent?
A shopping list! «Coffee, coriander, yeast, oat milk, hummus, cornflakes, rye bread …»
The previous text message was to my sister, right after I woke up from a dream: “Last night I dreamed of an unusually thick, heavy, black rabbit with several meters long paws… it was insanely thirsty! I found it left behind and I kept on giving it cold water. It continued for hours. In the end, it thanked me with a very deep voice. And then it disappeared.”
What is your favourite part of the creative process?
I like the very beginning of it; daydreaming that turns into doodles – filling my sketchbooks with spontaneous ideas, curly thoughts and small spaces with universes drawn «inside them». I love all the hundreds of small drawings that are most often created in the process of creating a larger piece of work or a series of illustrations. I have learned to love my failed ideas and pieces – see them as important elements in the creation of something bigger.
See more of Andrea’s magic on her website and Instagram!