Pheline Dietrich, the 19-year-old German-born artist, is beginning to carve out her place in Paraguay’s art scene. Just four months after deciding to pursue painting professionally, she held her first exhibition along with other artists on the city of San Bernardino. Now living in Paraguay for the past four years, she is focused on building an art career centred around discipline, experimentation, and emotional connection.
Her debut at Casa Hassler show attracted a strong crowd, including experienced figures from the art world. Yet what stayed with her most was the personal impact of her work. One visitor felt deeply reflected in a painting about leaving the past behind and stepping into something new. “That is exactly why I love doing art,” Dietrich says. “It encourages people for the better, for the positive. They feel seen where they are, and empowered to keep going.”
A decisive beginning
Although she had painted casually throughout her childhood, Pheline only began taking art seriously after finishing school in 2023. Faced with uncertainty and drawn in many different directions, she chose not to continue into further formal education.
“The problem, or maybe the blessing, is that I have so many interests. I am interested in everything, so I cannot focus on something that I am only a bit interested in.” Instead, she committed fully to art.
She began creating work intended for sale and exhibition just four months ago. Since then, her growth has been swift. She is currently enrolled in the Milan Art Institute Mastery Program, an online course based in the United States, which she describes as transformative.
“What initially kept me from even thinking about being an artist as a profession was the point that I thought artists starve, but these people make a very good living from their art. They teach not only how to make art, but how to build the business side of it.”
Influence of place and community
Living in Paraguay has broadened her worldview. “My mindset is more open than it would be if I had stayed in what I knew,” she reflects. Exposure to different cultures has enriched her perspective, even if her artistic journey began there rather than in Germany.
She describes the Paraguayan art community as welcoming and generous. “People are very friendly and helpful if I have questions.” Exhibiting alongside artists from diverse backgrounds has expanded her understanding of creative possibility. “There are so many different styles. It is enriching to see how many ways there are to do art.”
At the same time, she is mindful of artistic integrity. “Copying is not okay,” she says firmly. Inspiration must always be filtered through one’s own voice.
Pheline Dietrich on exploration, discipline, and process
At this stage, exploration defines her practice. She works primarily with oil paints, drawn to their distinctive depth. “I really like the depth they give to paintings. That is unique to oil paints.”
Her first exhibition reflected this experimental spirit, featuring a cityscape, an animal painting, and a human figure. “I like to have variety. It can speak to more people.”
Her daily routine is flexible rather than rigid, shaped around other commitments. Still, discipline remains central. “Without discipline and without painting every day, it is not going to work. You have to put in the effort and the time to learn the skills.”
Her process is structured and intentional. She prepares her palette, sets up a pre-layered canvas, and works in focused sessions lasting around two hours. Technical improvement is a priority, particularly when tackling complex subjects such as human faces. “If you do not know how to paint them, it is horrible,” she says with a laugh. “You have to learn how to do it.”
Advice to emerging artists
Pheline Dietrich emphasises three principles for aspiring artists: discipline, skill development, and enjoyment.
“Have discipline,” she says plainly. “But also have fun.” She recommends smaller sketches as a way to avoid creative stagnation. “If it is just a small piece of paper and you are having some fun, it opens up a lot. It is not about needing to get something done.”
Mentorship, she adds, is equally important. “Find somebody who is in the position where you want to be and connect with them. They already know a lot. They have experience and advice to give.”
Art as encouragement and connection
Connection lies at the heart of her work. Pheline hopes viewers will find something personal within her paintings.
“What I hope most is that people can relate to the painting in some way. We are all in inner processes. Things happen in our lives.”
For her, art is about courage. If her work could speak about this moment in her life, she says it would deliver a simple message: “Be brave. Trust in the good.”
She believes bravery can take many forms, whether stepping into change or embracing individuality. “Be brave in who you are. Stand up for yourself. Take new adventures in ways that are not there yet.”
Pheline sees her generation as particularly experimental. “Every new generation approaches things more openly. The older generations already know what works for them. The new generation comes in and thinks, who cares? Let us try something new.”
She believes contemporary artists carry different stories shaped by rapid global change. “Our lives are very different from my mother’s generation. We have different struggles and joys. That is why the art will also be different.”
Expanding into live painting
Alongside her studio work, Pheline Dietrich has begun exploring live painting at events, including weddings. She recently completed her first live painting at a wedding, an experience she describes as both challenging and deeply exciting.
Painting in front of an audience adds a new layer of pressure, but it is one she embraces. “I am very nervous,” she admits, “but I am excited.”
For her, live painting is not only about capturing a moment, but about sharing the creative process in real time. It reflects her willingness to step outside her comfort zone and take on new challenges with openness and curiosity.
What comes next
Pheline’s ambition is clear: to build a sustainable art business and continue evolving creatively. She plans to remain in Paraguay for now, allowing her career to develop organically.
If her art captures this chapter of her life, it speaks with clarity: be brave, trust the process, and embrace what is still unknown. To follow Pheline Dietrich’s work or enquire about commissions and live painting for events, you can reach her via her Instagram page.
