Oskar Rio Ladwig, a 17-year-old artist from Dreieich, Germany, has made a name for himself through his unconventional approach to painting, using unusual materials and displaying his works at exhibitions including venues in Frankfurt. The young artist's life revolves entirely around art, whether it be painting, photography, or digital art, though he spends most of his time focused on painting in his Dreieich studio.

Ladwig employs an extraordinary range of materials in his artistic practice, far beyond traditional painting supplies. "I use acrylic paint in various forms and spray paint because it provides a strong foundation, but I also work with oil pastels," Ladwig explains. His material choices extend to highly unconventional items such as printer cartridges and reinforcement mesh typically used for wall plastering. This experimental approach to materials reflects his broader philosophy of pushing artistic boundaries.

Beyond his personal artistic practice, Ladwig actively engages in community art education and organizations. As a high school student at Weibelfeldschule, he leads an art club for younger students, sharing his knowledge and passion with the next generation. Additionally, he participates in the Dreieich Art Group and is a member of the Art People collective in Langen, connecting with fellow artists and expanding his creative network.

Ladwig's artistic journey began remarkably early in his childhood. "I was always in the craft room during kindergarten, but instead of doing crafts, I would trace things from craft books," he recalls. This early inclination toward visual art was nurtured by his family environment, where his parents emphasized artistic pursuits, though their focus leaned more toward literature and music rather than visual arts.

Music plays a crucial role in Ladwig's current creative process, though his relationship with it has evolved over time. "I used to paint without music because I would think a lot while painting. Nowadays, I try to use music to guide the process somewhat, to reflect emotions in the painting," he explains. He deliberately chooses instrumental music without vocals, believing that lyrics might transfer other people's thoughts into his paintings rather than allowing his own emotions to flow freely.

Emotion serves as the primary driving force behind Ladwig's artistic expression, with sadness being his most productive emotional state. "I can paint best when I'm sad," Ladwig admits. "That's when I'm in a completely different focus, and processing becomes central. But it's rather subconscious." This intense emotional connection to his work creates a unique challenge for the young artist – he cannot hang his own paintings in his home. "Eventually I would go crazy because I would always be confronted with the things I processed, or because I think I could have done certain things differently," he explains.

Ladwig's artistic style defies easy categorization, as it depends entirely on his emotional state and mood. He primarily works in a figurative style where human figures and portraits play central roles, believing that facial expressions and mimicry allow him to convey deep emotions effectively. Animals frequently appear in his paintings, though often unconsciously. "At exhibitions, I've been told that most of my works feature an animal in the picture, but that's not deliberate. I think animals convey emotions differently in that context," he notes.

While maintaining figurative elements, Ladwig describes his work as abstract because he enjoys playing with color surfaces and abstract forms. His paintings exhibit dynamic qualities due to his rapid drawing technique and bold brushstrokes. However, he deliberately avoids committing to any specific artistic style, preferring to let his mood dictate his approach. This flexibility sometimes makes it challenging for him to discuss his work's meaning with viewers, as the emotions embedded during the painting process aren't always immediately conscious to him.

Despite these communication challenges, Ladwig values interaction with people who view his work, especially during exhibitions. His first exhibition holds special meaning for him: "My first exhibition continues to this day – it's in my grandparents' stairwell. That makes me very happy." His first formal exhibition took place nearly a year ago at the Sparkasse bank in Langen, where his works were displayed for four weeks.

Ladwig has two significant exhibitions planned for the upcoming year. On Sunday, February 1st, at 4 PM, he will hold the opening reception for his six-week solo exhibition at Die Schmiere, located at Seckbächer Gasse 4 in Frankfurt. Additionally, between Thursday, April 16th, and Saturday, May 2nd, he will participate in the Dreieich Art Days festival.

Looking toward the future, Ladwig envisions expanding his artistic practice beyond traditional painting. "I would like to work with sculptures. I'm already trying to bring structure into my paintings. I'm also interested in installations, but you need space for that," he explains. This forward-thinking approach suggests that while emotion will likely remain central to his artistic expression, his methods and mediums may continue to evolve as he grows as an artist.