True to the motto "March 8 is every day", we want to introduce you to FLINTA* from Berlin and their work in this new format.

Drum roll for the artist Sophia Novosel. She works as a visual painter and has lived in Berlin for 5 years.

Dear Sophia, we are delighted to be able to visit you here in your studio. How did you get into painting and when did your passion turn into a career?

I am also very happy that you are here! I started drawing at an early age and doodled everything I could find. I drew my first portrait of my grandpa shortly after he died, when I was about 5 years old. Today I know that I painted him to cope with my grief and it helped so much that I knew I wanted to do it forever and ever. So I never stopped, but in the meantime I took other professional paths. And when I came to Berlin, I found my artistic theme and expression and the courage to show it, which went so well that my passion became my profession.

What makes working in these areas special for you?

Quite a lot! The free, self-determined work, that feelings and thoughts become images and, in my case, negative feelings are turned into positive ones, always has a healing effect for me and also for many of my viewers. That makes me very happy. I also love people very much and my work allows me to have many in-depth conversations.

A lot of your work revolves around femininity, where does that come from?

My work is a mirror of myself. In which I processed many dark experiences, often in the context of femininity. And my obsessive desire for equality and harmony has made me and my paintings feminist. <3

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

This sudden inspiration usually arises from a deficit, a situation in my everyday life that discriminates against me as a woman. This is what triggers and ignites my creativity and usually results in several works.

How can we imagine your everyday life?

Painting and sketching at night and discovering the world with my daughter during the day.

How do you perceive mutual support in the industry?

Very positive! The scene has changed a lot in recent years thanks to many self-taught female painters who have changed the rules of the game and opened up the industry. Now there are more opportunities to be successful than just the galleries alone!

What does the "feminist day of struggle" represent for you?

For me, fighting for our equality and rights is also an act of self-love! An absolute must!

What would you like to see for FLINTA* (in your sector)?

As in all sectors and areas of life: equality!

What would you like to say to your younger "ME"?

Everything will fall into place! Stay brave and show the world! Tomorrow will soon be yesterday so start today. <3

What are the advantages and disadvantages for you with regard to the Berlin location?

I don't like to divide things into advantages and disadvantages, because an advantage can feel like a disadvantage in a few weeks or months and I've felt this dynamic in Berlin since I arrived here. So Berlin's absolute advantage would be that it is so diverse. The people who live in this city make it this explosion of creativity. Which is very inspiring and energizing. Berlin's light is also very special to me, colors look very different here - clearer and more subtle. As an artist, Berlin has countless advantages, but as a mother it also has disadvantages, such as the roughness that a big city has and the many barriers that cannot be overcome with a child without a second person.

What has changed over the years?

The fact that my child has changed my life so much: everything <3

What is Berlin missing?

Very little! <3 Berlin is great and fabulous! But a few thousand more thoughts should be given to people with disabilities and make it easier for them to access everyday things like stores, events and public transport!

What do you associate with your neighborhood?

Manifestation! On my first visit to Berlin, I knew I wanted to live and work there! And that's how it turned out! I can't express how happy I am to be able to live here!

Thank you Sophia <3

This content has been machine translated.