We were lucky to catch up with Petra Schott recently and have shared our conversation below.
Petra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
The entire painting process for me is an act of continuous risk-taking, an exploration that demands both courage and vulnerability. From the moment I begin a painting, I enter into a dialogue with the canvas, where unexpected moments of beauty often emerge. These fragments—whether a stroke, a texture, or a delicate interplay of color—can feel like treasures, holding the promise of something complete. Yet, paradoxically, these are often the very elements I must sacrifice to move forward. Overpainting these beloved parts is not an easy decision; it feels like an act of destruction, but it is necessary to open the next door.
This willingness to “kill my darlings” is at the heart of my process. It’s a metaphor for letting go—not just of what I have created, but of my attachment to the familiar and the safe. Each stroke that obscures something precious challenges me to embrace uncertainty and trust the unfolding journey of the painting. It’s a lesson in resilience, teaching me that true creativity lies not in holding on, but in the willingness to reinvent, to push beyond what I thought was possible.
This process is both exhilarating and daunting. It requires me to constantly question my instincts, to confront my fears of failure, and to step outside the boundaries of my comfort zone. There is an inherent tension between creation and destruction, between building something beautiful and tearing it apart to discover what lies beyond. But it is within this tension that the most meaningful breakthroughs occur. It’s how I grow as an artist—by challenging myself to reach deeper, to find new layers of expression, and to uncover truths that might otherwise remain hidden.
Ultimately, this approach reflects a larger truth about life itself: the need to embrace impermanence, to let go of what no longer serves, and to trust in the possibility of transformation. Every painting becomes a journey of self-discovery, a testament to the power of risk and the endless potential that lies in daring to go beyond what I thought I could do.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a painter who works in an abstract-figurative style, primarily using oil paints as my medium. My journey with painting began decades ago, but for much of that time, it remained more of a passion than a profession. Alongside my creative pursuits, I studied law and built a career as a judge and lawyer—roles that demanded precision, structure, and discipline. It was only a little over ten years ago that I decided to step away from the legal field entirely, and this decision marked a profound turning point in my life. Letting go of that structured world liberated me and allowed my passion for painting to flourish in ways I had never experienced before.
I believe my years in the legal profession, immersed in a realm governed by rules and logic, have deepened my appreciation for the freedom and spontaneity I now embrace in my art. Painting allows me to work intuitively, guided by my emotions or by whatever themes happen to capture my imagination. There is no need for the clarity, precision, or verbal expression that once defined my professional life. Instead, I am free to immerse myself in the fluid, instinctual process of creating, where nothing needs to be justified or explained. This freedom is exhilarating—a complete departure from the constraints of my previous career and an endless source of inspiration.
Finding my direction in painting has been a journey of discovery and growth. While I feel proud of the path I’ve carved out, I see it as an ever-expanding process rather than a fixed destination. Consistency, while important to some, is not my goal; I never want to box myself in or dull my creative curiosity. I want to remain open, to explore new ideas, techniques, and subjects that excite me. This openness keeps my work dynamic and ensures that it continues to evolve alongside me.
My inspiration comes from many sources. As a woman navigating life in these times, my personal experiences play a significant role in shaping my work. I also draw deeply from literature, poetry, and the timeless allure of old myths—stories that resonate across generations and connect us to something larger than ourselves. Yet, inspiration isn’t always about grand themes; sometimes, it’s as simple as a color that catches my eye, the texture of a surface, or the graceful curve of a shape. At times, the act of painting itself becomes the inspiration, a dialogue between me and the canvas that unfolds in surprising and unexpected ways.
Painting, for me, is more than a profession; it’s a way of life. It’s how I process the world, how I explore my own depths, and how I communicate what cannot be said with words. Each painting is a step along an ever-unfolding journey—a celebration of freedom, curiosity, and the boundless possibilities of creative expression.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the total freedom I experience in my work—a freedom that feels almost boundless. This sense of liberation is particularly meaningful because of the stark contrast to my previous career as a judge, where rules, structure, and precision dictated every decision. In that world, clarity and adherence to established norms were paramount. While I valued the rigor and purpose of that work, it often left little room for spontaneity or personal expression. Now, as an artist, I relish the opportunity to work without constraints, to let my intuition and imagination guide me wherever they choose to go.
This freedom resonates deeply with a sentiment expressed by the German writer Arno Geiger: “Art does not free us from chaos, but from order.” His words perfectly encapsulate what art means to me. In the legal world, I was immersed in order—bound by its necessity and its weight. But in my creative life, I’ve come to embrace the chaos that lies beneath the surface. For me, this chaos isn’t something to fear or control; it’s the fertile ground from which all creativity grows. It’s a dynamic, ever-changing space that offers infinite possibilities—a melting pot where fragments of thought, emotion, and experience collide and transform into something new.
The chaos of creation is not random, but alive with potential. It’s in this space that I feel most attuned to my work, allowing myself to surrender to the unpredictable and trust in the process. Shapes, colors, textures, and themes emerge organically, often surprising me with their clarity or depth. The beauty of this approach is that nothing is fixed, and every step feels like a discovery. There’s no need to justify decisions or adhere to external expectations—only the need to explore and express what feels true in the moment.
This embrace of creative chaos allows my paintings to carry a rawness and authenticity that I deeply value. Each work becomes a reflection of the freedom I feel, infused with the energy of spontaneity and exploration. Chaos, for me, is not disorder but possibility—it is where I find the courage to take risks, the inspiration to push boundaries, and the space to create without limits. This transformation—from the rigid structures of my past to the boundless freedom of the present—is not just about art but about life itself. It is a journey into the unknown, one that continues to unfold with every canvas I touch.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
My Instagram has grown significantly over the past four years, and I believe the primary reason for this is the content I share, the consistency in my posting, and the quality of the photos I upload. I’ve made it a point to post regularly, offering my followers a steady stream of new work, insights, and updates on my artistic journey. I also ensure that the photos I use are of high quality, so that the colors, textures, and details of my paintings are captured as faithfully as possible. But beyond these practical aspects, I believe the real key to my Instagram’s growth lies in something much more fundamental: the authenticity and honesty that I bring to my posts.
There are no shortcuts or special hacks involved. Instead, it’s about the true quality of my paintings and the genuine words I use to describe my process. I try to share not just the finished pieces, but also the story behind them—the moments of doubt, discovery, and triumph that go into creating each work. This transparency allows my followers to connect with my art on a deeper level, to feel the passion and dedication that drive my process. They can see my evolution as an artist, both through the images I post and the reflections I share about my journey.
In the end, it’s the authenticity of this connection that resonates with people. It’s not about tricks or formulas, but about being true to myself and my art, and inviting others to witness that. I think that’s what makes my Instagram stand out: it’s a space where people can not only appreciate my paintings but also get a glimpse of the person behind them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www, petra-schott.de
- Instagram: @petra.schott.art
