About Silke Ukena
Originally from Schleswig- Holstein, Germany, Silke ‘s talent and interest as a painter began while admiring her great grandmother Vala Lamberger’s highly skilful portraits.
Although a busy Osteopath for over 30 years, Silke has made time to train extensively under the tutelage of many well known artists in watercolour and pastel together with new, life drawing and portrait projects.
Silke’s Background
Silke’s work is noted for its vibrancy and reflective perspective and these elements within her studies have led to many successful exhibitions in London, Essex and Germany.
Since completing her Fine Art Degree Silke has fulfilled her plan to teach absolute beginners to paint in watercolour and pastel. Her IwishIcouldpaint Artschool classes are available at the Studio in small groups or online via Zoom.
“I think everyone is an artist! The left side of our brain concerns itself with logic and analysing information.When we paint we dwell in the right creative side of our brain. That is why painting makes you happy!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we step away from conventional concepts of whether ‘it is good’ or not and simply enjoy the processes. Often we surprise ourselves with the outcome !! One of my students is now a commissioned artist.”
Silke’s Potty Bio
My artwork is based on serendipity and allowing my work to creatively evolve with mindfulness of the moment. Practices of meditation and experimentation form a major part in this process.
I enjoy using the synthesis of the accuracy of digital photography, deliberately taken in very quick, laid back photo shoots to capture the moment – the fleeting expression, and the surprise element of the painting/print/photo shop processes to convey ideas.
To me art is a dynamic process of discovery mirroring the constant changes we experience in life.
“More lust less must”
My final degree project explored the celebration of female friendship and the many facets of our personality.
Mutti dancing with Lökea & Silke on her 90 th birthday
Where do dreams and reality collide? It has now evolved to looking if the difficulties of Menopause are a myth. Does female middle age signify the end of motherhood and enjoyment or open up new exciting possibilities with a light hearted ‘hello white trousers’ and ‘60 is the new 40’ attitude? Is it not time for deeper understanding, enjoyment and wisdom built on years of experience and free from child commitments and material striving? In the end it is all about self worth. And as the life givers we as women are worth it.
“To unfold our true potential we have to respect and take responsibility for our own boundaries and exercise our power wisely”
In my current project of street scenes and people, I continue to use photography to capture a moment in time and convey a sense of joy and happiness. Although we live in difficult times appreciation of magic moments, personal freedom and awareness of our uniqueness is invaluable.
“The Leigh Bunting series captures the spirit of Leigh”
Vala Lamberger - 1877 – 1953
“…she stood there again, the delicate woman with her large hat and her easel, in an old part of Heppenheim town. Taken with the view, she used her impressive skill to create a picture of light and shade ……”
This was how many people in Heppenheimer saw the artist in the years 1930 to 1953.
Vala Lamberger is a celebrated artist, whom one cannot rate highly enough from today’s perspective. With boundless energy and dedication together with a pen and brush she developed a large range of oil paintings. Her images, created with charcoal and drawings in India ink can move and fascinate the art lover and casual viewer alike.
This extraordinarily versatile artist was born in 1877 in Mainz. She grew up with musical parents and famous ancestors. She dedicated herself in to her musical gift – as a talented pianist. Vala took up painting as a career after she had to give up being a concert pianist due to health reasons.
Under professor Thieman (Leipzig), professor Eugon Spiro (Berlin), professor Walter Thor (Munich) and Picard le Doux (Paris) gave Vala Lamberger broad pictorial training in the thirties and forties.
The artist died aged 76 in Heppenheim, Germany. Roads in Heppenheim, Neuhausen and Worms have since been named after her.
Silke is the great grand daughter of Vala Lamberger.