Petra Baral

Petra Baral is a graphic artist based in Stuttgart, Germany. She studied graphic design at Freie Kunstschule Stuttgart and primarily works with acrylics and canvas to create pieces in a bold and colorful graphic style. Her compositions utilize black lines and geometric shapes to create striking designs that capture the viewer’s attention.

Petra draws inspiration from the stories of Greek mythology, which she explores to shed light on the timeless themes and challenges that are still relevant in our modern lives. She skilfully blends these timeless stories with contemporary issues and personal experiences, creating vibrant and colourful pieces in her distinctive style. Through her paintings, she seeks to convey the lessons of ancient Greek myths about preserving nature and diversity, love and other human emotions, and the cyclical nature of history.

Petra’s goal is to create art that encourages people to think and feel, to brighten the world with color and creativity, and to inspire others to connect with their emotions and experiences. She finds inspiration for her work in daily life or mythology and sometimes expresses her ideas in the form of aphorisms or poems.

Greek mythology is a core inspiration for your work. How do you see the stories and characters from Greek mythology as reflecting the experiences and challenges in our modern lives?

My inspiration for art comes primarily from life itself, and I then connect it to Greek mythology. Greek (and Roman) mythology found me rather late, in my late forties, after I had already been creating art for over 20 years. It suddenly pushed its way into my life and creative process, revealing the correlations between life and mythology. History is cyclical and tends to repeat itself, and the stories of the Greek gods and goddesses reflect this. For instance, the tale of Artemis, known as Diana in Roman mythology, has eerie similarities to the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, when examined closely.

Besides Greek mythology, are there any notable artists or artistic movements that have significantly influenced your work?

Honestly, I’ve always been rather uninterested in other artists. When I began developing my style back in art school in the mid-80s, without the internet, I would often leave my artwork unsigned. My style was so distinctive and different from that of my fellow students that anyone who saw it could easily identify it as mine. My art professor compared me to Hundertwasser but said my work was stronger in form. Until then, I hadn’t heard of him, and he did not become an inspiration for my work.

Can you describe the journey of developing and mastering your unique artistic style? What were some key moments or influences in this process?

During my studies, I discovered my strengths and weaknesses. I turned my inadequacies into skills. While my drawing abilities were not extraordinary, I had a talent for colours, which led me to develop an abstract-figurative illustration style.

While vibrant colours are a hallmark of your style, have you ever felt tempted to experiment with different styles or mediums? If so, what prompted these explorations?

Yes, I have experimented with various mediums, including clay and plaster work, welding metal figures, and painting in a naturalistic style with oil paints. These explorations were part of my artistic journey, often serving as catalysts for change and growth, especially during periods of artistic blockage or when developing new ideas for projects.

What has been the most challenging moment in your artistic career, and how did you overcome it?

The struggle is a constant for most artists. Currently, art is particularly challenging because many cannot afford its luxury, and people are unsettled by wars and climate disasters. This financial strain impacts demand. As a relatively unknown artist, I am not that popular as an investment.

What emotions or thoughts do you hope to evoke in your audience through your art?

Through my colourful pictures, I aim to transport viewers into a world of fantasy and offer a glimpse into the spiritual realm of mythologies. Additionally, I hope to highlight important issues in our modern world, such as environmental problems, equality, and diversity. My art seeks to inspire a sense of wonder and introspection while also provoking thought and dialogue about the critical challenges we face today. By blending mythological themes with contemporary issues, I strive to create a bridge between the past and the present, encouraging viewers to reflect on their roles in shaping a better future.

Your portfolio and CV highlight many accomplishments. What future projects or goals are you excited about pursuing?

I am currently working on my merchandise collection. Since art is a luxury, I received multiple requests for shirts or other items featuring my art. This led me to start a collection of different merchandise, which is steadily growing, along with relaunching my art as prints.

What advice would you give to young artists who are just starting their creative journeys?

It is difficult to give advice because every aspiring artist has their own path. Looking back, my advice would be to learn a profession to fall back on in the often unprofitable art world. Success and artistic breakthroughs are by no means certain—they are as unlikely as winning the lottery. However, I paid little heed when my father warned me about this difficult path.

Visiting Petra’s  website petra-baral.com and her instagram pages @petraangelabaral and @petrabaralstudio

Images All rights reserved by Petra Baral