Exploring the Intersection of Art, Expat Life, and Canine Companions: A Berlin Art Dogs Introduction

Welcome to my new blog. I'm Sophia, a Swedish artist residing in Berlin. With "Berlin Art Dogs," I plan to write about my art practice, life in Berlin, and of course, oversharing about my dog - a soon to be 4 year old Magyar Agár girl.

Embracing the Artistic Realm

Art has not always been in my life.

I drew and painted like most children but I grew up without any knowledge or introduction to art or fine culture. My family was just not interested in these kind of things.

I did not know that art schools existed nor did I ever imagned that an artist was something I actually could be.

I did find my way to artschool (via design school) in my mid- and late twenties. I took one year in Stockholm and two years in Kokkola, north of Finland, but I honestly felt very lost and confused these years. The art world was completely new and foreign to me. I just didn't get it. I felt like an idiot and not at all so cool and artsy looking as my fellow students who seemed to have a completely different self-evident and relaxed attitude than I did.

After this I applied to an animation- and film education instead. It felt safer to have a more specific goal and a possible future employment of some sort. It has taken me many, many years to find my way back to art and an art practice. Every day I'm still trying to figure myself out in my paintings. It is very difficult to define in words what painting is really about.

On this blog, I'll share insights into my art practice, what inspires me, and shed light on my process of painting. From exploring different techniques to navigating the identity of an artist with a lack of self-confidence in the extremley competitve Berlin art scene.

Berlin Life

As an expat in Berlin, I'll offer a peek into daily life from a foreigner's perspective. You can possibly expect a few complaints about the Germans, tips on my favorite spots in the city, exhibition recommendations, and a curated list of dog-friendly cafés.

Canine Companionship

Now, let's talk about what is most important - my dog, a Magyar Agár girl who I love more than life itself. I might share some dog videos, dog anecdotes and way too many photos. If you're not a dog owner this might be super boring so feel free to skip these sections.

Stay tuned if you're curious

With "Berlin Art Dogs," I hope to gain and share knowledge of Berlin's art scene, map out my biggest inspirations for art making, share about my painting process, give you tips about exhibitions and other artists, to ponder over my existence as an expat, and to indulge myself with cute dog pics.

Whether you're an artist, an art lover, a fellow expat, or a dog enthusiast, "Berlin Art Dogs" might be interesting and/or useful for you at some point. ;)

All the best,

Sophia and Vilda