5 Questions for Isabel Kreitz
16 December 2022In the fourth
In the 2nd round of our interview series, comic artist Isabel Kreitz answers our
5 questions. Isabel Kreitz has shaped the German-speaking comics scene like hardly
another artist. Since she studied at the University of Applied Sciences for Design in
Hamburg and at the Parsons School of Design in New York, she draws
Comics – from newspaper strips to graphic novels. For her works she has
has already received several awards, including the Max and Moritz Prize for best
German-speaking comic artist at the International Comic Salon Erlangen 2012.
Some of her drawings
were already on display at the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen, including
Drafts for an adaptation of “Buddenbrooks” by Thomas Mann. This year is
she illustrated Otfried Preußler's children's book "Zwölfe hat's
beaten” in the exhibition “Robbers Hotzenplotz, Krabat and the Little Witch.
Otfried Preußler – character creator and storyteller”.
Fig. Book cover Twelve has struck, illustration by Isabel Kreitz © by
Thienemann in the Thienemann-Esslinger Verlag GmbH, Stuttgart
Nathalie
Schraven: We are very pleased that we have already published some of your works in previous
Exhibitions! Now you are working with illustrations for Otfried
Preußler's stories are represented here. What makes
his stories?
Isabel Kreitz: Preußler's
Ghost stories are compared to the hit list of popular ghost stories,
which can be found in many anthologies, quite fairy-tale-like and folksy. As
As a self-proclaimed fan of ghost stories, I had my problems with it. But that is
A matter of taste and does not mean that you cannot still enjoy the
That's why I came up with the idea of creating little flip books on the side
of the thick book, instead of story by story a “best-of”
situation to draw.
NaS: In your
Preußler adaptation, you rely on the mystical atmosphere of the stories. So
For example, on the cover of “Zwölfe hat's geschlagen” there is a mysterious
Figure on a 12 o'clock dial. Why did you choose this
approach decided?
IK: At
Of course, there has to be some kind of intersection on the cover of anthologies. Since I have the title
“Twelve has struck” very appealing, it was obvious to use it
to illustrate!
NaS: In contrast
We were able to learn more about these magical substances in the exhibition UNPUBLISHED in
Last year we got to know a different side of you. We saw your
Drafts for an adaptation of the novel “Buddenbrooks” by Thomas Mann. What appeals
you on this topic?
IK: When reading
images emerge that I find extremely inspiring. I was born in Hamburg
and grew up, middle-class, Hanseatic… There is this familiarity with
the language, the humor…
NaS: What
What happens to you between two books?
IK: I
I try to earn money! Because from my comics and graphic novels
I can't live.
NaS: What would
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a comic artist today?
IK: Early
to look for a secondary income in the form of teaching,
Graphic design, web design, game design or whatever is related to the profession
of comic drawing. And if it does succeed, only the
your own books, it is not wrong to take a break from time to time
to get out and do something else!
General