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Rainbow reality paintings
Rainbow reality paintings
Paulina Holstein is a German oil painter whose work challenges the expectation that adulthood should be beige, restrained, and sensible. Growing up in the 90s - surrounded by saturated cartoons, plastic toys, and the incredible brightness of that era - she never accepted the idea that colour is something you’re supposed to leave behind. Her paintings carry that refusal forward.
Working primarily in oil, Paulina uses a wide range of pigments to achieve the vibrancy and smooth gradients that define her visual language. She often paints small studies on hard surfaces, valuing the precision they allow, and finishes each piece with a custom frame built together with her father — a detail that reinforces the craftsmanship behind her practice.
Paulina is drawn to everyday objects and small, familiar moments for their overlooked potential. Animals appear in her work for the same reason: whether a pig, a zoo creature, or a household companion, they reveal individuality that people often miss.
By isolating these subjects and amplifying their hues, she creates images that feel both nostalgic and sharply contemporary.
Her work resonates with viewers who recognise themselves in this tension — adults who grew up in a bright world and now have to navigate a muted one.
Collectors value her paintings for their craftsmanship, emotional clarity, and the way they reintroduce a sense of curiosity without slipping into kitsch.
Paulina continues to explore how colour and memory shape the way we see, inviting viewers to look longer and feel more
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