Our wild bees are indeed true pollination artists. This has fascinated us for many years, as you know. How wonderful it is to be able to share that joy with like-minded people. In our huge bee community, we always find new synergies. This year, in collaboration with Artstübli Basel and Swiss artist Patrizia Stalder, the foundation for artistic habitat has been created:
The outer walls of a total of 168 of our BeeHome Observers have formed the canvases for two inspiring works of art.
Now, these unique wild bee houses in a limited art edition not only provide habitat but also shine as art objects. Each of the 168 BeeHomes is a hand-painted unique piece that perfectly embodies the symbiosis of art and nature. A unique nesting aid that provides a perfect retreat for wild bees at your home and simultaneously makes an aesthetic statement. You can find the art edition now in our shop.
Before Patrizia picked up her brush, she quickly typed out some answers to our questions.
Interview with Patrizia Stalder
Allow us to ask: How does one become an artist?
"There are many roads to Rome! There's no recipe for it, but in my opinion, it requires an inner drive to create art and then consistently follow it."
In 2018/2019, you were selected by Lürzer's Archive in their publication as one of the 200 best illustrators worldwide. How do you manage the balancing act between commissioned work and art?
"Creativity can be found in every commission – sometimes more, sometimes less. It depends on the client. I generally find it exciting to constantly receive different requirements and create something new from them. However, I also need these free projects as a balance, where no limits are imposed on me."
What motivates you to participate in the campaign to paint our BeeHomes?
"I'm generally fascinated by everything that 'creeps and crawls,' if only from a visual perspective. There are so many wondrous shapes and colors in the animal kingdom, from the smallest to the largest animal. Aside from my visual interests, I pay great attention to a sustainable lifestyle. I'm interested in nature conservation and am, among other things, a member of Pro Natura. My oldest sister has honeybees, and I've had the chance to watch her treat the bees for Varroa mites. I myself had a very simple bee/insect hotel on my balcony. Last spring, my daughter learned about bees in kindergarten, and since not a single little creature had hatched with us, she was allowed to take the little house to kindergarten. They hatched there – they were wild bees :-) "
What should we imagine the limited art edition of the BeeHomes to be like? Is it art you can "touch"?
"Absolutely! Each BeeHome is unique, and the painting is executed with care and attention to detail. It's interactive art integrated into everyday life, providing a home for wild bees."
About Patrizia Stalder
The limited art edition of the BeeHome Observer is now available in our shop. We look forward to your enthusiasm for art and nature and to creating artistic habitats together with you and our painted BeeHomes. And don't forget: each piece is unique, and the quantity is limited. So, grab yours now! 😉