Interview with Kerstin zu Pan

q)please tell us a brief info about yourself.

a)Hi, my name is Kerstin zu Pan

and I love taking photographs...

q)Tell us about your humble beginnings, When did you you first realized that you wanted to be an artist?

a)Since childhood I was always told I was an artist – basically by everyone around me, I guess I always was “a little different”.

I have painted all my life, it always was a very basic need for me to create.

q)What are your tools of the trade and why?

a)Whatever gets in my hands. Digital and analog cameras, Polaroid, paint, ect.

My favourite camera is the Makina 67.

q)Who or what gives you inspiration on your morbid art?

a)Everything. Music, people, food,travels - everything that crosses my path.

You really think my work is morbid?

q)Is your artistic background self-taught or did you go to college to study?

a)Both. As I said, I have created images all my life, that was the base.

But I have studied Design in Essen, London and Los Angeles.

q)How do you keep “fresh” within your industry?

a)…occational facemasks, I guess.

Sometimes in combination with a White Russian and a bathtub!

q)What are some of your current projects?

a)I just finished a portraitseries about the very talented british Sounddesigner Tommy Four Seven.

The series “Supervision” is also quite fresh. And I have

worked for Designhotels and Chevrolet in the last weeks-

that was the more commercial part.

q)Which of your works are you the most proud of? And why?

a)I like the fine Art images the most, because they are 100% me,

And they were created without compromises. When I work for clients, its my job to please their wishes,

But of course that’s not always satisfying “the artist in me”…

q)Are there any areas, techniques, mediums, projects in your field that you have yet to try?

a)I have not made a film yet!

q)What do you do to keep yourself motivated and avoid burn-out?

a)My job is my passion, its a basic need, so I don´t really need motivation.

I am greedy to get more and more, and it happens that i don´t take enough breaks and feel burned out. What helps me then is lots of sleep.And I live the endless summer and escape the european winter and stay on the other side of the globe. To catch enough light for me is the ultimate solution to get energy.

q)how do you spend most of your free time?

a)...whats that?

q)What contemporary artists or developments in art interest you?

a)Oh, I love a lot of musicians and filmmakers.David Bowie and Billy Wilder are some of my heroes.

q)We really like some of your pictures, how can we get our hands on them? Do you sell them? How?

a)Thanks very much for that compliment!

Yes, I sell most of my art – just contact me via my website!