News

NEWS

Here you will find the latest news about my artistic life.

HAHNEMÜHLE ROUNDTABLE WITH SILVIA SCHMITT AT DRUPA 2024 IN DÜSSELDORF

Traditional artist Silvia Schmitt (Topenga gives a glimpse into her intricate work, her choice of Hahnemühle paper, and her passion for coloured pencils, which even led to a meeting with Arnold Schwarzenegger. She explains how creating an original artwork on traditional Hahnemühle FineArt papers takes more than 2.5 weeks (150-200 hours) and 6-7 layers of colour. With the Hahnemühle service MyArtRegistry and Certificates of Authenticity, she also produces reproductions on Hahnemühle Digital FineArt papers, showcasing a true blend of creative fine art papers by Hahnemühle.

YouTube

GRAND OPENING - Of Terminators and Farmers' Daughters

My new exhibition is just around the corner: I cordially invite you to my vernissage on 14 May 2024 at 18:00! The location is a very special one, namely the Grand Café Kaiserfeld, an art nouveau café in the centre of Graz's beautiful old town!

The Kaiserfeld is a very stylish and elegant café in the heart of Graz, offering all kinds of coffee, pastries, food and drinks of the highest quality. In the evening, the café transforms into an event location. Various cultural events take place and artists are also regularly supported in the organisation of vernissages.

A very special highlight of the café is the so-called "Governor's Room", named after its most famous regular, Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is the former governor's favourite café, where Arnold stops by every time he is in Graz. The Governor's Room is adorned with numerous photographs of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The photographs were taken by the wonderful photographic artist Ferdinand Krainer, who has a decades-long friendship with the former governor of California.

Come and see the wonderful coffee house flair and the aura of the café for yourself, I look forward to welcoming you in person!

My partner, the paper manufacturer Hahnemühle, is also supporting me with this exhibition, so you can once again look forward to wonderful FineArt editions.

Vernissage: 14 May 2024, 6 pm

Café Kaiserfeld, Kaiserfeldgasse 19-21

8010 Graz

Opening: Ingo Hofmann

Exhibition duration: 12 May - 09 June 2024

Monday - Friday: 7:50 - 22:00

Saturday: 8:30 - 18:00

https://www.cafe-kaiserfeld.at/

COLOURED PENCIL AND PHOTO ART - EXHIBITION AT THE K1 ART FORUM

The exhibition "Coloured pencil and photo art" is on show at the K1 Kunstforum in Graz until 8 May. Two different styles are on display: Photorealistic coloured pencil technique and photo art. Silvia Schmitt, also known as "Topenga", travelled from Germany to present a selection of her artfully designed pictures with coloured pencils at the opening, which she had created with the finest detail work based on photo references. Together with Ferdinand Krainer, who presented his new photo art exhibition "Control Elements", she offered a fascinating insight into her works. Over 80 art enthusiasts attended the opening of the exhibition to view the artworks.

Artworks by Silvia Schmitt and Ferdinand Krainer - Now at the K1 Kunstforum

Coloured pencil and photo art - Exhibition opening at the K1 Kunstforum

Photorealistic coloured pencil technique and photographic art were recently presented at the vernissage of two different styles at the Kunstforum in the K1 Tower in Graz. Silvia Schmitt, also known as "Topenga", travelled from Germany to present a selection of her artfully designed pictures with coloured pencils, which she had created with the finest detail work based on photo references. Together with Ferdinand Krainer, who presented his new photo art exhibition "Control Elements", she offered a fascinating insight into her works. Over 80 art enthusiasts attended the opening of the exhibition to view the artworks.

Exhibition at the K1 Kunstforum Graz

From 10 April to 8 May 2024, photo artist Ferdinand Krainer and Silvia Schmitt aka Topenga will be exhibiting their artworks together at K1 Kunstforum Graz.

Topenga will present her photorealistic pencil and coloured pencil drawings under the title "Von Terminatoren und Bauerntöchtern". There will also be wonderful FineArt editions on high-quality and unique FineArt inkjet papers. The limited FineArt prints and all paper products used by Topenga for this exhibition are provided by the paper manufacturer Hahnemühle.

Ferdinand Krainer is known for his depictions of world-famous personalities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. His exhibition "Steuerungselemente" comprises symbolic images created in his camera, which he will present in graphic design. They differ significantly in style from his previous motifs and are intended to satirically illuminate some of the backgrounds of our actions.

The vernissage (Invitation Only) will take place at 18:00 on Tuesday, 09 April 2024 in the K1 Tower of the host Helmut Konrad.

Opening hours during the exhibition

Mon - Thu from 10 am - 4 pm, Fri from 10 am - 1 pm

K1 Art Forum

Alte Poststraße 156, 8020 Graz in the K1 Tower

Contact: 0316 57 77 55 office@k1-group.at

https://www.k1-group.at/kunstforum/

Topenga at Creativeworld Frankfurt 2024

We are excited to announce that the talented artist Silvia Schmitt will be live-painting at our booth at the Creativeworld on Saturday 27.1.2024 from 10 – 13 h CET. Silvia aka @topengaart is known for her very detailed and photo-realistic drawings of people. She is particularly inspired by faces that have a strong character and that have a story to tell. Among her drawings you can often find motifs of films or television.

Silvia already discovered her passion for drawing at a young age and her long and intense commitment have been awarded several times, for example with the American Art Award.

Friedberg-Bauernheim becomes a digital village

As part of the federal "Smarte.Land.Regionen" programme, three villages in the Wetterau district, including Bauernheim, will test the "DorfFunk" app and the associated "DorfNews" website as pilot villages.

The Dorfnews homepage is already open to the public and filled with interesting articles. In one article, I was allowed to introduce myself as an artist:

https://www.dorfnews-wetteraukreis.de/von-terminatoren-und-bauerntoechtern/

LGT Climate Conference in Vienna

On 20 October 2023 the LGT bank hosted its first Climate Conference, a new platform to further understand and discuss sustainable investment strategies - and to address growing concerns surrounding climate change.

Patron of the Climate Conference was Prince Max of Liechtenstein who received several gifts. Famous photographer Denis O‘Regan handed over limited editions of his legendary David Bowie and Queen photographs and my Arnold Schwarzenegger drawing.

The limited editions have been produced by Hahnemühle and printed on Hemp Digital FineArt paper (Hahnemuehle Natural Line). https://www.hahnemuehle.com/en/digital-fineart/fineart-media/natural-line.html

Interview for the podcast LISTEN

Arnold Schwarzenegger inspires many people, including a German artist, Silvia Schmitt.

We meet her in Thal near Graz, in the Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum. Silvia Schmitt is a photorealism artist, her work, her exterior and interior appear congruent, she seems to have arrived at herself.

https://soundcloud.com/daniela-480161629/listen-dd-silvia-schmitt-episode-2-arnold-schwarzenegger?si=df41d2a479234ebb995cafc1c1ee5187&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Exhibition at the Kreishaus: Of Terminators and Farmers' Daughters

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox, better known as Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett L. "Doc" Brown from "Back to the Future": They and some other celebrities from the world of film and television can be seen in an exhibition at the Kreishaus in Friedberg. Photorealistically drawn by Silvia Schmitt. District Administrator Jan Weckler opened the exhibition.

https://wetteraukreis.de/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/detail/von-terminatoren-und-bauerntoechtern-neue-ausstellung-im-kreishaus

Exhibition of my Arnold Schwarzenegger drawing at Photopia Hamburg

From September 21 to 24, a reproduction of my Arnold Schwarzenegger drawing was exhibited at the booth of the renowned paper manufacturer Hahnemühle at Photopia Hamburg. The limited FineArt edition is printed on Photo Rag® Pearl by Hahnemühle and is accompanied by a Hahnemühle certificate of authenticity.

More information on Hahnemühle and the FineArt inkjet paper used:

www.hahnemuehle.com

Photo Rag® Pearl

Diggytalk - Der Podcast rund um die Digitale Welt

SILVIA SCHMITT - Künstlerin - Arnold Schwarzenegger Portrait

Season 1, Ep. 47 • Freitag, 15. September 2023

In der Kulisse des Arnold-Schwarzenegger-Museums durfte ich mit der Künstlerin Silvia Schmitt ein Interview führen. Sie hat bereits einige bekannte Persönlichkeiten porträtiert. Unter diesen Personen waren u.a. Ralf Möller und Arnold Schwarzenegger.

https://shows.acast.com/diggytalk/episodes/silvia-schmitt-gute-kunst-braucht-zeit

Hollywood stars as motifs: photo-realistic drawings by Silvia Schmitt

We are thrilled to introduce you the new edition of our famous “Featured Artist” series on our blog. Silvia Schmitt aka Topenga is known for her stunning, detailed photo-realistic drawings of unique faces of people, who stand out from the crowd. She is known for her paintings of well-known celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ralf Möller, or Neve Adrianne Campbell in her role as Sidney Prescott in Scream. In the interview, she talks about the art of photorealistic drawing, how she chooses suitable motifs of people, what exciting experiences she has had with her work over the years, and much more. Enjoy reading the interview with Silvia on our blog.

www.blog.hahnemuehle.com/fotorealistische-zeichungen-von-silvia-schmitt/

Exhibition "Im Namen der Kunst" (In the Name of Art ) at Nordwestzentrum Frankfurt

"Im Namen der Kunst" is the name of the latest exhibition of the artist platform Eyecandy Frankfurt, to which I belong since a few weeks. Together with sculptor Peter Brauchle and artists from Gang Bang Tattoo, I share the Temple of Arts gallery in the Nordwestzentrum Frankfurt from August 16 to September 16, 2023.

The vernissage will take place on August 16 at 6 pm.

Gallery hours: Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

https://www.templeofarts.de/ausstellungen

Exhibition of Silvia Schmitt extended

The exhibition of the artist Silvia Schmitt alias "Topenga" is extended until July 30.

The photorealistic artworks look like photographs at first glance, but have been put on paper by hand with a lot of patience using pencils or coloured pencils. In addition to portraits of well-known personalities, animal and nature motifs are on display as well. So-called "work in progress" pictures also illustrate the elaborate process of creating the drawings. The museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m.

Source: Eschborner Stadtspiegel

Exhibition opening: "Of Terminators and Farmers' Daughters"

The vernissage will take place on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at the museum of Eschborn, Eschenplatz 1.

Silvia Schmitt has loved art ever since she can remember. In 2014 she finally discovered her passion for photorealistic drawings. Get an insight how it all began in Eschborn and where the path has led the artist in the meantime. Let yourself be surprised and enchanted by the works of the self-taught artist.

Opening:

Mayor Adnan Shaikh

The exhibition can be visited until 09.07.2023.

www.eschborn.de

Internet provider Yplay supports artist from Friedberg

True to the motto of the Altenstadt Internet provider Yplay Germany GmbH "In the region, for the region", the photorealistic drawings of the Friedberg artist Silvia Schmitt aka. Topenga now decorate the newly inaugurated office building in Altenstadt-Lindheim. https://yplay.de/

https://wetterau.news/wetteraukreis/altenstadt/521-lindheim/15534-wetterauer-internetanbieter-yplay-unterst%C3%BCtzt-k%C3%BCnstlerin-aus-friedberg.html

UPDATE on the event at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Musem on 30.07.2019

A few months ago I have informed you that my Arnie drawing will soon be part of the Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum in Thal, Austria. There are barely two weeks left until the event and I am really looking forward to it! There is a very important change, the celebration will no longer take place on 27 but on 30 July (Arnold's birthday). You are welcome to be at the museum at 10 am, I would be very happy to see you there and spend the day with you!

https://arnieslife.com/

Topenga at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum on 27 July 2019

This year I will be accorded a very special honour. My Arnold Schwarzenegger drawing will soon be one of the exhibits at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum in Thal (Graz). For Arnold's birthday fans and friends organize a celebration every year at which an attraction is showcased to the guests and the press. This year my drawing will be presented and placed in the museum. At this point many thanks to Mr. Peter Urdl for this incredible opportunity! Arnold's birthplace is the official and worldwide only museum that is bearing his name and is personally supported by him. Since 2011 you can visit the place where it all began. Here you can follow the beginnings and career of the probably most famous living Austrian. Numerous exhibits including personal memorabilia of Arnold show his remarkable career and also the most important stages of his life such as childhood and adolescence, bodybuilding and film career as well as the time being the Governor of California. Come by and enter the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger. I would be very happy to see you there!

For further information please visit the museum's website: https://arnieslife.com/

Topenga at the German Comic Con in Dortmund on 13. and 14.04.2019

Hello dear ones, guess what is around the corner? That is right, the German Comic Con Spring Edition 2019 in Dortmund! Please swing on by and keep me company in hall 7 on 13 and 14 April. I am going to have a large selection of fine art prints as well as mugs, magnets, stickers and more for you. I will gladly sign your purchased items. Do not miss this opportunity. I cannot wait to see you there!

https://germancomiccon.com/

Meeting voice actor Ekkehardt Belle at the Weekend of Hell on 05.11.2018

In November 2018 I had the pleasure to meet actor and voice actor Ekkehardt Belle at the convention "Weekend of Hell" in Dortmund. Mr. Belle has appeared in many films in the past, but nowadays only works as a voice actor. He lends his voice to numerous actors including Michael Madsen in the Tarantino movie "The Hateful Eight". At the event I was able to present my drawing of the film to Mr. Belle and talk to him about his work.

https://weekend-of-hell.com/

Topenga at the London Film and Comic Con 2015

In 2014 I was able to attract the attention of the organiser of the London Film and Comic Con with the release of my Oola drawing. He asked me to draw Robert Englund and his alter ego Freddy Krueger in one person. I happily accepted and even attended the event in person which was one of the best shows I have had the pleasure of attending. It was an honour to be part of the LFCC and present the exclusive artwork to the Freddy Krueger fans and Robert Englund himself.

https://londonfilmandcomiccon.com/