From my earliest years, art and movement captivated me. Even as a child in primary school, I found joy in painting and dancing. Recognizing my passion, my parents arranged private painting lessons and enrolled me in ballet school, nurturing my creative spirit. Still, I could not pursue the intuitive track of my young way of life and I bowed to my father’s directorial entering in a non-inspiring but concrete pattern of education.After completing my high school exams, I earned a certificate in business administration in three languages - German, French, and English.

I then embarked on a journey across Europe. Living in Cambridge, London, Paris, and Florence, I delved

into language studies while immersing myself in the rich cultural tapestries of each city. Museums, galleries,and lectures became my classrooms as I explored the depths of art and history. Among these cities, Florence held a special place in my heart. Its unparalleled beauty in culture, architecture, and artistry enraptured me,as well as the Italian way of life. I discovered its joys—climate, food, and wine lifted my spirits and culminated my curiosity. All this happiness reflected on my personality.

An unexpected encounter with Emilio Pucci led to employment as his seasonal model for the catwalk in the Gardini di Boboli. I soaked in the city's essence, including the works of Renaissance artists like Michelangelo, Tintoretto, Cimabue, and many others. On Sundays, I attended mass and concerts in ancient churches,savoring the music of composers like Dinu Lipatti, Vivaldi, Albinoni, and Pergolesi. Meanwhile, Italianbecame my second language, and I enjoyed speaking it almost like a real Tuscan.

Yet, life's twists led me back to Zurich, where I met the love of my life. We married in 1972.

Together with my husband, a dentist, we embarked on humanitarian missions, including a 7- month stint in Haiti with the Catholic Medical Mission Board in New York. In between my husband’s postgraduate education, we took several sabbaticals. Our travels spanned continents, from India to Morocco to the Syrian desert, each adventure leaving an indelible mark on my mind and soul, triggering my artistic expression.

In the midst of our journeys, our family expanded. Sophie arrived in 1977, followed by Vincent in 1980

and Dinah in 1982. Parenthood became the focal point of our lives, intertwining with my ever-evolving artistic pursuits. In 1987, I seized a two-month sabbatical to study Trompe l’Oeil at the Lennard Pardon School in New York, reigniting my dormant creative talents.Returning home, I embraced painting, and with unwavering support from my husband, he transformed our garage into an atelier, providing the canvas for my artistic journey to unfold.

 

I then began to experiment with applying the techniques I had learned from marble and wood Trompe l’Oeil on tabletops, deviating from the exact natural copy in terms of color but not structure. This allowed me to achieve special and new Trompe l’Oeil effects with which I gradually found success. Starting with an overlay tabletop, I soon received commissions for independent tables with matching table legs I had designed and had made in brushed acrylics. These legs enhanced the illusion and virtual effect I intended to achieve.

The interior design business Forma Viva in Zurich became enthusiastic about my creations and helped me gain recognition as an artist of designer tables. Through Forma Viva, I received regular orders, which took me to various homes around Lake Zurich. This opportunity to directly sense and fulfill the clients' wishes was another challenge that greatly enriched me.

...'artist of designer table'... A particular challenge was sealing the surface, as it was based on a glaze with oil paint, which would dissolve immediately with a chemical component. Here I was especially lucky to find a specialist in this field who applied a 2-component solution in an ultra-thin spray on the surface. This allowed everything to bond together without dissolving. He repeated this technique many times, which extended the drying time over several weeks. An elaborate and expensive procedure. However, this was necessary because, I was taught that a Swiss customer demands stability and durability. After all, a table is ultimately a utility object! ...'through Forma Viva'...

Later at home, I experimented with wall paintings and my personal interior moods. I also ventured into creating paintings, using oil and acrylics, and delved into the techniques of famous artists. This led to my first homages to Picasso, Matisse, Klee, and others.The acquisition of a 300-year-old farmhouse ruin in Tuscany in 1991 marked a new chapter. Over the years,we painstakingly restored it into Casale Banditelle Blu, a testament to our shared vision and my artistic endeavors.

 

Every corner of our home reflects our story, embellished with strokes of color and love, a canvas of our life together.

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