About
Jacoba Paulus is a freelance visual artist with a focus on oil painting and drawing. Originally from Germany, she holds a degree in Illustration from University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg. Her career includes a number of years in goldsmithery and teaching arts, craft, and history of arts.
Jacoba has exhibited her work in various exhibitions in North Germany and Scotland. Her latest paintings and drawings show portraits of human and humanoid beings and imaginary landscapes.
Jacoba lives and works in Hawick in the Scottish Borders.
"After a period of experimentation with intuitive writing, I felt inspired to try a similar approach in drawing, using only black ink and a wooden stick. I worked quickly to avoid thoughts getting in the way.
Like with the writing, I kept drawing lines without allowing pause or hesitation. I tried to avoid settling for an image too early, aiming to hold a state of indefiniteness for a certain time. Eventually I would give in to a developing shape, creature or thing, and elaborate it.
When painting, the process is a bit more permissive. Once the canvas gets too crowded, I start clearing away lines, filling in intersections, and move on from there.
The results of this approach can be very surprising, it plays out like a game - with the aim of outwitting myself."
Welcome to my Studio!
Please get in touch, visit my studio, have a chat and a cup of tea and see my work!
New Work
Over the last year, I allowed the landscapes to rest for a while. Inspired by intuitive writing exercises, I experimented with chance, aiming to let the artwork happen on the canvas, and to invite the awe and surprise that come with spontaneous expression.
Painting Hamburg...
Having grown up in in
Hamburg, Harbours and sailing vessels were part of my natural environment. After moving to the Borders, I had to look out for new subjects. Not to paint ships any more felt awkward, and it took me a good while to adapt, but plein air painting is still one of my favourites.
...Painting Hawick
We do have a river after all, even two, with a big new floodwall on it!
I use oils when painting outdoors - they're messy but workable even with rain.
Drawing and Sketching
I love it! Sketching is a pleasure, good practice, and a great source for ideas and more elaborate pictures. Often I draw many versions of the same image.
Jacoba Paulus
- Degree in Illustration/Design, University of Applied Sciences (HAW), Hamburg, 1998-2002
- Postgraduate Degree in Steiner Teaching for Arts and Crafts, 2013-15
- Apprenticeship in Goldsmithery, 1992-95