"nature that breathes us" Painting

Born in 1972 near Vienna, Michaela Steinacher has lived in a world where creativity was not just a passion but an essential part of her existence from an early age. She always saw the world differently—not just as it was, but as it could be. Yet, her untamed creativity met with misunderstanding in art class, where rigid rules stifled her freedom. Her approach to art was dismissed, and her passion was nearly extinguished before it could fully emerge.

A RETURN TO ART THROUGH A TURNING POINT

Years later, when life dealt her a heavy blow and confined her to bed for months, art returned—stronger, louder, and more intense than ever. She realized she had to take control of her own story. She chose to transform her vulnerability into strength and make the courage to change the core of her artistic work.

GREAT CHANGES BEGIN IN SMALL MOMENTS

Steinacher’s works are a deliberate engagement with seemingly insignificant moments. She takes us into everyday scenes that appear meaningless or focuses solely on a facial expression that becomes a metaphor for the action itself. Her art rescues these moments from insignificance, giving them the attention they deserve.
The difficult relationship with her alcohol- and pill-addicted mother is processed in many of her works. Yet her art remains defined by a sense of hope – showing that we alone decide whether to give up or keep going.

THE RESONANCE BETWEEN INNER AND OUTER WORLDS

Steinacher believes that every action—be it a fleeting glance, a conversation, or a gesture—inevitably shapes our surroundings. It is transformation that fascinates her, made visible in her works through a tactile symbol she designed herself.

REBELLION AGAINST THE ORDINARY

Steinacher is not just a painter; she is a visionary who sees her art as a tool for positive change. Her extravagant, assertive visual language is a rebellion against the ordinary—a bold call not just to see the world but to actively change it.