Andrea Wunderlich
When was the first time you picked up a calligraphy pen?
That must have been back in 1998, when I went to my first calligraphy class.
What is the best advice you ever received (lettering or otherwise)?
If you never show your work, you will never become a fulltime artist.
Why do you letter? What keeps you coming back every day?
It’s the love for words and letterforms.
What is your dream project?
A mural—colorful, big lettering, bold message.
What research do you do when learning or starting something new? i.e. a new style or new project.
I’m trying to go back to the historic roots, willing to understand where forms derive from and then learn where they can develop into.
Name 3 non-lettering artists who inspire you.
Frida Kahlo (for her being a very strong woman artist), Cy Twombly (at the Brandhorst collection in Munich), Ólafur Elíasson (for his mind blowing imagination)
What do you aim to say with your work?
For most of my work: “Read me & think”
For my abstract pieces: “Enjoy & think.”
Why do you teach? What is your teaching ethos/style?
Because I love it & I want people to have fun, to step into new worlds of form and colour, where they can develop.
What is your favorite pastime when not in your studio?
Hanging out with friends and dogs.
What jobs have you done besides being an artist?
Textile designer, graphic designer and dog trainer.
Do you find there are differences in lettering the German & English languages?
Sometimes I find writing in English easier (just for the mere form of words & text), because there is no Umlaut and not so many capitals letters. But very often, when I’m writing down my own thoughts and words, I’m doing both versions, German & English (which needs proofreading then). English is part of my daily life, as I have many English speaking friends, while listening to music and I just love the language.
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- Coffin lettered by Andrea Wunderlich
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- Andrea Wunderlich lettering on the pavement
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- Andrea Wunderlich’s chalk board lettering
You seem to letter on everything. What is the most unique thing you have lettered on?
I used to do lettering on coffins. Got a white coffin from the undertaker & was allowed to do whatever deign I wanted, then the finished piece would go into the undertaker´s showroom and stand there waiting for the right person.
