FORM-Idea

Can you describe to us your painting technique and the materials you use?

I use a wide variety of different materials. Besides all the varied colours you will find fabrics, pieces of clothes, sand and ashes, but also feathers or coffee in my drawings - they are mixed media. I like the interaction between the materials, colours and shapes. It`s like how our life is affected by diverse influences. Different layers overlap and give a three dimensional effect. This summer I`ve discovered an interesting new technique: I use bitumen that I ignite, so I get a deep structure in my paintings.

Does your colour choice tend to change with your mood or the seasons?

My favourite colour over many years has been red - but it changes all the time. My choice of colours comes from a feeling in my stomach. When I begin to paint a green scene then it may become blue - I don’t know why, I let my soul develop freely.

Do you paint most days, indoors and outdoors, in all seasons and weathers?

Mostly you will find me painting in my small studio, where nobody can disturb me! Sometimes on the road I make sketches in a small book, then I can train my eyes and it aids my memory.

Is there a recurring theme that runs like a thread through your work?

A recurring element currently appearing in my work is an oval which you can find all over my paintings.

What is beauty for you? As an artist, do you find the magnificence of the Swiss mountain landscape an inspiration?

Beauty is something that touches my soul and that`s a pleasure to look upon. Nature is a great inspiration, especially the mountains. Autumn in the mountains with the coloured trees and the new snow on the summits is a wonderful landscape in which to find inspiration. In a lot of my works you can find traces of nature such as a river, a wooden structure or a mossy stone.

Do you believe every person has artistic ability, or do only certain very lucky people have talent?

I think a lot of people have artistic ability, but the key is to find your passion. You have to believe in yourself and activate your resources. To work creatively makes one happy and gives deep satisfaction. In this way, you have the possibility to leave a positive footprint on this Earth.

Have you noticed if there is a difference in how children and adults respond to your paintings?

Children often search for a concrete detail in a painting and they are very honest with their evaluation.

In your work as a primary school teacher, what do you find are some of the best ways to nourish creativity in children?

The most important thing is that children are given the freedom to experiment. Open their eyes to the beauty in the world and awaken their curiosity. Visit museums and create contacts with artists.

Do you have a favourite wise quotation or motto?

At the moment, the following sentence from Victor Hugo is inspiring me: “Nothing is more powerful than an idea, whose time has come”.

I know you have other creative skills and passions apart from painting – can you tell us something about these?

As a teacher, sometimes it`s difficult to see progress in your work, so I like to do things with concrete results: I brew my own beer with friends in a small brewery and I love to cook – for me cooking and painting are both like a meditation. I like variety. Last summer in my sabbatical I worked for one week as a blacksmith and I`ve done some woodcarving. Art influences life and life influences art, reciprocally.

Finally, in what ways has Switzerland changed, over the past 40 years? Is it still the land of Heidi, cow bells, chocolate, cheese and cuckoo clocks?

These things are necessary for our identity; it`s our homeland. Traditional things are like an anchor in this overwhelmed world. Nevertheless, we have to be open to the future. The boat can only sail with a raised anchor. Slow developments are sustainable developments.

Christian Schmid's website: http://www.schmidchristian.ch/ To contact Christian: schmid.chregu@gmx.ch

Interviewed by Annie SolomonsFΩRMIdea London, 25th October 2016.