Article Interview in Canvas Rebel Magazin

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From the article Canvas Rebel Magazine, February 2026.

Interview with Amelie Monira Egenolf – About art, courage and the path to oneself

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of talking to the inspiring artist Amelie Monira Egenolf. In the following interview, she shares her personal story, her perspectives on creativity and her vision for the role of art in our society.

Thank you very much for taking the time, Amelie. We are very happy to have you here. Let’s jump straight in: Do you ever wish you had started your creative career earlier?

To be honest: yes. If I could turn back time, I would definitely have started my creative career earlier.

As a child, I drew all the time. Art was my natural language – I could immerse myself in it for hours without even realizing it. But my parents encouraged me to choose a “safe” profession, something with financial stability. So I went down that path and built a career in hotel management.

I then stopped painting completely in the hotel industry. The industry is very demanding – long working hours, high pressure, hardly any space for yourself. There was simply no energy left for creativity. Over time, I moved away from this part of myself more and more – and with it a large part of my zest for life.

Everything changed when I became pregnant. This phase gave me peace, reflection and a new perspective. I picked up a paintbrush again – and it felt like coming home. Painting reminded me of who I really am. It gave me back joy, balance and purpose.

I officially started my artistic career about ten years ago, and since then it has become my profession and my great passion. Looking back, I wish I had started earlier – not out of regret, but because I now know how essential creativity is for my well-being.

At the same time, I also believe that every experience has shaped me. My time in hotel management taught me discipline, structure and entrepreneurial thinking – skills that help me enormously today. So perhaps I started at exactly the right time. But if I’m completely honest: I wish I had trusted my artistic voice earlier.

Painting is not just something I do – it is who I am.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your work.

I am a mixed media and oil painter, gallery owner and curator in the south of Germany. Emotions are at the center of my work – especially those quiet, peaceful moments we all long for.

With my collections, I create works that invite reflection: on love, beauty and inner peace. They are visual reminders of what really connects us to ourselves.

My path was very personal. I moved around a lot – between cities, countries and even continents. Every new beginning meant creating a new home. In the process, I realized how powerful art can be: It transforms spaces into places of comfort, it grounds us and creates a sense of belonging.

This realization has shaped my business. Today, I not only create original works, but also commissioned pieces for private collectors and companies. I help people design spaces that reflect their identity, values and emotions. Basically, I bring beauty, depth and emotional connection to living and working spaces.

In addition to my artistic work, I run a gallery, give workshops and organize exhibitions. I also actively support other artists in building their careers. I am convinced that art is essential for a healthy, inspired society. It connects, moves and opens up important conversations.

What makes my work special is its focus on emotion. It’s not just about aesthetics, but about feeling something – pausing in a fast-paced world and remembering the essentials.

The organization of large art festivals where thousands of people come together is a particular highlight for me. These shared moments of inspiration and connection show me again and again why I do what I do.

What I want people to know about me and my brand: My art comes from the heart. It should bring light, warmth and depth into your life. Art is not a luxury – it is food for the soul.

What can our society do to better support artists?

The most important step is to truly recognize the value of art – not only economically, but also culturally and emotionally. Art is not a luxury. It shapes our identity, reflects our time and creates connection.

We need more platforms and accessible spaces for art – galleries, public exhibitions, festivals and community projects. When art becomes visible and part of everyday life, it strengthens the cultural foundation of a society.

Fair payment and financial support are just as important. Many artists fail not because of talent, but because of a lack of structures. Support programs, sponsorship and investment from companies can make a big difference here. When companies work with artists or integrate art into their spaces, both sides benefit.

Another key point is education. Creativity should be encouraged from an early age and not dismissed as “impractical”. Many of us have been encouraged to choose a safe path – so much potential is lost in the process. What would be possible if young talent was supported at an early age?

And finally: support starts on a small scale. Visiting exhibitions, buying art, sharing artists, engaging with their work – it all makes a difference.

A vibrant creative ecosystem is based on respect, visibility, opportunity and community. When we empower artists, our society as a whole becomes more inspired, reflective and connected.

What is the best thing about working creatively for you?

The most valuable thing for me is the emotional connection that is created through my art. When someone stands in front of one of my works and pauses, thinks or is touched – that moment means everything to me.

Art creates a connection beyond words. It can comfort, inspire or even heal. Knowing that something I have created will become part of another person’s life is incredibly fulfilling.

I also love to make feelings visible – through colors, structures and movement. Things like love, longing or hope are given form in this way. It’s like giving shape to the invisible.

Another fulfilling aspect is building community. Whether in my gallery, in workshops or at festivals – bringing people together and inspiring them through art is something very special.

And for me personally, it means living authentically. Painting always brings me back to myself. It gives me balance, joy and meaning.

This combination of inner fulfillment and external impact – that’s the best thing about being creative.