Kathrin KissElder Biography

I was born in Northern Germany 1967,1970 my family settled down in Niger / Africa and Algeria / Africa where I visited the French primary school. My family returned to Germany 1973, and settled down in Munich. To speak French makes me still feel like coming home.
When I was a child, even when I was still a rather little child, two subjects attracted me: Words, and pictures. I decided at the age of five to become a writer, and started to develop my own language of things as a photographer since I - finally! - got an own camera at the age of 16.
I started to work social 1980 in different educational and social projects like the care of elder peoples, homework support and as a consultant of homeless peoples.
I finished school in 1986 and studied psychology and German literature in Munich and Berlin from 1986 to 1992. In this time, I didn't dare to believe really that I could ever publish a book - also when I never stopped writing since the age of ten.
1990 I started to work as a psychological consultant with I did until 1994, when I switched to the adventures of adult education, and, from 1997 to 1999, to university education.
1997 my first book, a child book, was published by bohem press, followed by 10 books about different subject like learning or creativity in architecture, all in well-known editions.
Along with my work as trainer for adult education I wrote my ph. D. thesis from 1995 to 1997 about transitional rituals in the catholic and protestant church in Munich (Prof. H. Keupp) . Therefore I studied for two years practical theology too. The theological professor of this time, Eberhard Hauschildt, is still a mentor of mine. Also when the subjects changed between us, I appreciate his immense prudence and fairness, playing a kind of 'theological street ball' with me.
2000 I switched to Cologne / Germany where I live until today as a trainer, photographer and writer.
2002 my first photographs where published in a series of four books by Patmos.
2003 I had my first exhibition as a photographer, followed since regulary by others, also with other artists. My main interest is in the moment to picture the bible, but in fact every glimpse of this wonderful creation around us attracts me.
2012 I started KSP! , Cologne School for creativity. Since then, I work with a growing number of excellent artists, painters, photographers and poets to tell people that art is important to everybody, and to encourage artists to grow further, and earn money with their unique creations.