Sara Kissing | Artist at Mondoir Nationality: German Discipline: painting Based in: Naples, US BiographyI grew up in Germany in a multi-cultural family where art and design were simply part of everyday life. My mother was a graphic artist and watercolor painter, my grandfather was an architect and passionate hobby artist, and my stepfather owned an art gallery and worked as an art restorer. From an early age, I was surrounded by paintings, artists and the process of making and preserving art. My stepfather taught me traditional painting restoration techniques, which gave me an early appreciation for craftsmanship, materials, layers and the history contained within a work of art. Art and design therefore never felt like something I consciously discovered later in life—they were part of the environment in which I grew up. I went on to study art and design formally, earning a BFA from the University of Texas and an MFA from the Design Institute Münster in Germany, where I graduated with honors. My professional path initially took me into design, branding and creative direction. I spent more than two decades in the United States, much of that time in California, building a career as a creative director while continuing to develop my own artistic voice. Eventually, painting became the place where everything in my background came together: fine art, design, typography, photography, storytelling, composition and my fascination with popular culture. Today I am a full-time contemporary pop and mixed-media artist based in Naples, Florida. My work combines acrylic painting, collage, typography, photography, drawing and 24k gold leaf. I create collections ranging from automotive and cultural icons to figurative, lifestyle and destination-inspired works, as well as commissioned pieces created around the personal story of a collector, place or subject. Becoming a full-time artist feels less like a change of direction and more like returning to where I started—surrounded by art, storytelling and the belief that an artwork can carry history, emotion and personality within its layers. Artist StatementI create visual stories. My work explores the emotional connections we form with people, places, objects and memories, and the stories that exist beyond the immediately visible subject. I combine contemporary pop art with layers of acrylic paint, collage, typography, photography, drawing and 24k gold leaf. A defining element of my work is the use of words, numbers and symbols. Unlike typography that is used simply as a graphic element, every word I incorporate relates directly to the subject I am painting. Before creating a piece, I research its history, origin and cultural context. The handwritten words, dates, coordinates, technical details, quotations and references become another layer of the portrait. If I paint an automobile, for example, the canvas may contain its engineering specifications, year, place of origin, racing history, design terminology and details specific to that model. In a portrait, the words and imagery reference the person's life, accomplishments, ideas and cultural impact. In my city works, they become fragments of neighborhoods, landmarks, history and personal memories. From a distance, the viewer first sees the icon. Up close, the painting begins to reveal its story. Nothing is randomly written onto the canvas. The typography is part of the subject itself. My subjects range from automotive icons and cultural figures to women, cities, flowers and luxury objects, but the underlying idea remains consistent: I am interested in what makes something iconic and the story behind it. Color, movement and optimism are central to my work. I combine recognizable imagery with imperfect marks, handwritten language, collage fragments, gold leaf and raw painterly surfaces to create work that feels energetic, layered and alive. Ultimately, I want the first encounter with my work to be emotional and the second to be discovery—the closer you look, the more of the story you find. ExhibitionsExhibitions & Art Fairs The Art of Banksy — "Exit through the Palace". Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, California — 2021–2022 Renegade Craft Fair — San Francisco, California — 2022 ArtExpo New York — New York, New York — 2023 Miami Art Week — Miami, Florida — 2024 Red Dot Miami, Redwood Art Group — Miami, Florida — 2025 Gallery Exhibitions & Representation Psychedelic Gallery — San Francisco, California Karl Gallery — Sausalito, California Sheldon Fine Art — Newport, Rhode Island Sheldon Fine Art — Naples, Florida Gallery One — Naples, Florida The Gallery at Ultimate Garages — Naples, Florida Current Exhibitions, Partnerships & Art Placements Porsche Studio Naples — Naples, Florida — 2026 The Motor Enclave — Tampa, Florida — 2026 Clive Daniel Home — Naples, Florida — 2026 Lamborghini Naples — Naples, Florida — 2026 Ferrari Naples - Naples, Florida — 2026 Natuzzi Italia - Naples, Florida — 2025 AwardsWalt Disney Imagineering Award — Los Angeles, California ADC Award — Art Directors Club German Brand Award — Germany Multiple design awards and art competition awards — Germany and United States Recipient of six artistic scholarships supporting six years of fine art and design studies Graduated summa cum laude — MFA, Design Institute Münster, Germany Graduated with honors — BFA, University of Texas Dean’s List — University of Texas National Honor Society Featured Artist / Interview — Artistcloseup, contemporary art platform and magazine Featured Artist — Artistcloseup Contemporary Art Magazine, Issue #4 Featured Artist / Editorial Coverage — Florida Design Magazine Featured Artist — Miami Art Week EducationMFA, Design Institute Münster, Germany — graduated summa cum laude BFA, University of Texas — graduated with honors Recipient of six artistic scholarships during my academic studies Dean’s List student Member of the National Honor Society Recipient of a Walt Disney Imagineering award/recognition for creative work Early training in painting conservation and restoration under my stepfather, an art restorer and gallery owner in Germany. Growing up around his gallery and restoration practice gave me hands-on exposure to traditional painting techniques, materials, preservation and the construction of artworks from an early age. Additional professional training includes workshops and advanced studies in corporate branding, corporate design, identity development and visual communication, including professional workshops in Hamburg, Germany. More than two decades of professional experience in creative direction, graphic design, branding, corporate identity and visual communication in the United States and Europe. Artworks by Sara Kissing Mona Medium: Acrylic, 24-Karat Gold Leaf, Markers, Epoxy Resin Price: $7900.00 USD Quentin - Royal with Cheese Medium: Acrylic, 24-Karat Gold Leaf, Markers, Epoxy Resin Price: $8900.00 USD Salvador Medium: Acrylic, 24-Karat Gold Leaf, Markers, Epoxy Resin Price: $9900.00 USD
Quentin - Royal with Cheese Medium: Acrylic, 24-Karat Gold Leaf, Markers, Epoxy Resin Price: $8900.00 USD
