Saskia Thurner
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Saskia Thurner, featured in AQ Volume VI, is a German oil painting artist whose journey with painting and drawing has been anything but linear. Her artistic path began in childhood, shaped by early exposure to local artists and diverse techniques. However, it was her time at the Learning Tree Fine Arts Center in Buffalo, N.Y., where she immersed herself in oil painting, that deepened her understanding of the craft.
For 17 years, she ran her own painting school, ART4kids, where she inspired young creatives to explore their own artistic voices. During this period, she also exhibited in both Germany and the United States, receiving several awards for her work. Yet, life took an unexpected turn—her artistic practice came to a halt for several years due to personal circumstances. A cancer diagnosis marked a profound shift, forcing her to step away from painting. But it also became the catalyst for a deeply personal renaissance.
Returning to the canvas felt like reclaiming a part of herself. The moment she smells the paint, stands before the easel, and watches her motifs emerge, she experiences a rare sense of connection—one that transcends technique and speaks to something far more instinctive. This renewed creative force has propelled her into an active exhibition schedule, with her work showcased in galleries, art fairs, and publications worldwide. Through her paintings, she seeks to evoke emotion, spark curiosity, and, above all, share the joy of artistic expression.
https://www.saskia-thurner.de
What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you decide to commit to this path?
Painting has always felt like a natural extension of how I see the world. I committed to art when I realized it was the most honest way for me to connect—with myself and with others.
Could you share the story or concept behind your recent work?
My recent oil paintings focus on older and fuller-bodied figures in swimwear, capturing moments of quiet presence and dignity. It's about challenging narrow beauty standards and celebrating the vulnerability and strength of simply being seen.
What role does experimentation and exploration play in your artistic practice?
Even within figuration, I constantly explore how gesture, color, and composition can shift perception. Experimentation keeps the work intimate, surprising, and emotionally true.
What message do you hope your art conveys to the world?
I hope my paintings offer space for tenderness, recognition, and quiet empowerment—especially for bodies and lives that are often overlooked. There’s beauty in the ordinary, if we choose to look.
Share a mantra or favorite quote that keeps you going.
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” – César A. Cruz. It reminds me why it matters to paint what I paint.
