Stefan Winterle

In 1993, I started with graffiti.

My activities in the small town soon led to the first consequences: I got into trouble with the law and the police, which meant I had to take a creative break. At that time, I began painting on smaller surfaces. I realized that the quality I was striving for couldn't be achieved on canvas. I knew I didn't want to continue with brushes, acrylics, or oils, and I already had more than enough spray cans at home. So, I started my first attempts with stencils, which I found quite successful.

In 2000, I finally decided to fully commit to cutting and painting with stencils. I love the process of painting, of creating, and the idea of leaving something behind, whether in the studio or on the street. Stenciling offers a very meditative approach to painting. The preparation of the stencils takes a lot of time and patience. During this process, I analyze the motif and start thinking about the colors I will use later.

Finally, the best part comes: spraying. I find inspiration everywhere, through the things that surround me—family, friends, news, politics, and press articles, as well as nature and urban landscapes. Many moments are reflected in my images.