What Do People Want? Lessons from Giving Away My Art in the Streets

As I prepared to move from Munich to Washington, I decided to leave 65 of my paintings on the streets with a “Gratis Kunst” (free art) sign. To my surprise, 20 pieces were taken on the first day alone, including abstract, colorful works, while more personal portraits—like those of my son—were left behind. This experiment taught me that public taste can be unpredictable, yet it reaffirmed the value of creating art for the joy it brings. While some pieces were snatched up quickly, what truly matters is painting what fulfills me, regardless of how others respond.