BFA from Salisbury University with a concentration in Painting, Summa Cum Laude, 2007
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Regensburg, Germany in 1991
Born and raised in the German countryside, I learned to appreciate nature at an early age. Nature inspires me to create something that is unique to me and free from boundaries. My artwork ranges from close-up photographs and paintings of flora and fauna to abstract interpretations of the mystery of nature.
Living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I am surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty and wildlife. I get inspired by the rhythmic reflections and the fluid movements of the water surface. I look for interesting repetition, powerful lines, subtle color and value variations, dramatic light effect and depth of space. The shapes and the density of the water plants offer endless possibilities for artistic interpretations. I pay attention to the ever changing light and weather conditions and the impact it has on the elements. Through my art, I aim to capture harmony of all living creatures within their environment.
Art has become a beautiful journey for me, and I can no longer imagine my life without it. The quiet studio time in combination with my outside camera time is a perfect combination to keep me inspired. I am happy when I can create something that was not there before and something that is truly mine.
Please contact me if you are interested in any of the works on this website or in a commission piece.
““Influenced by my history and evolving around my thoughts and emotions,
my artwork is a visual interpretation of all that inspires me.
My diverse ideas originate in the complexity of my mind,
where I get to create something that is unique to me and free from boundaries.
Reality, imagination and abstraction all co-exist and need no explanation.
The unexplained is far more intriguing, as it resides beyond the picture plane.”
Petra Bernstein”
Paintings from my recent group show OUTER SPACE at Galeria Azur can be found on ARTSY.
Participating in LITTLE TREASURES Exhibit at Galeria de Marchi in Bologna, Italy from Nov 25 - Dec 6, 2023. Curated by Trevisan International Arts.
Participation in SMALL WONDERS Exhibit at the Circle Gallery in Annapolis, MD during December 2023. Juried and curated by the Maryland Federation of Art.
Selected works are available through MONTEOLIVETO GALLERY, Naples, Italy.
I have been showing with Gallery Monteoliveto since 2018 in several shows, among them at the Spazio Tadini in Milan in 2018 and 2019, Galerie Etienne de Causans in Paris in 2018, the Conningsy Gallery in London in 2019 and Gallery Dobkine and Kie in Paris in 2021.
OUTER SPACE GROUP SHOW at Galeria Azur in New York, August 3 through September 17, 2023
Opening Reception for OUTER SPACE Exhibit at Galeria Azur in New York. August 3, 2023
RAL 9th Regional Photography Show in Rehoboth, DE. January 5 - Feb 4, 2024
My image Spider Wart is published in ArtFolio 2022
Artexpo New York, October 28 - 31, 2021 with Agora Gallery
Happily Ever After, Part 1 and 2. August 2021
Publication in ARTfolio 2021
ARTfolio 2021
Nature and Beyond Solo Show at the Dorchester Center for the Arts in Cambridge, MD, March 5 through 27, 2021
PATTERN EXHIBIT at the Art League of Ocean City September 2020. Honorable Mention.
Strong Women of the Eastern Shore Opening Reception at the Somerset Arts Council on March 13, 2020
January 12, 2020 Opening Reception at Circle Gallery in Annapolis, MD for Winter Member Show
National Juried Show KALEIDOSCOPE at the Gallery Clarendon in Arlington, VA. in January 2020
Opening Reception on October 19, 2019 at the Coningsby Gallery in London. Curated by Chantal Lora, Owner of Monteoliveto Gallery
Opening Reception October 11, 2019 at the Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center in Solomons, Maryland
Judge’s Choice Award for “My Heaven on Earth” at the SAS (Rivers and Oceans Exhibition) July/August in Salisbury, MD
Opening Reception June 21, 2019 at the Photography Show at the SAS. Special Recognition Award for “Unity”
Opening Reception at Spazio Tadini in Milan, Italy on June 6th, 2019
In my studio May 2019
Solo Exhibition MY WICOMICO in August 2019 at the Robinson Gallery at the SAS in Salisbury, MD
Artexpo New York, April 4 till 7th, 2019
Artexpo New York, April 4 till 7th, 2019 with Sarah Bernstein
Opening Reception at the House of Delegates February 11, 2019. Juried Offsite Exhibition curated by the Maryland Federation of Arts in Annapolis, MD
Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital in Washington, DC. Opening Reception for Juried TREEmendous Exhibition on March 13th, 2019