Meet Julita Elbe, a Münster-based artist who brings a quiet sense of clarity to everything she creates. Working with handmade paper, soft acrylic layers, and gentle digital refinement, Julita builds compositions that celebrate texture, balance, and the understated beauty of everyday details. Her work feels calm and intentional — the kind of art that slows you down and invites you to simply look.
This feature dives into her shift from design to abstract minimalism, the influence of her life between Warsaw and Münster, and the intuitive process that guides her from sketch to finished piece. At Drawdeck, we’re honored to highlight artists like Julita — independent voices who infuse their craft with sincerity, precision, and emotional depth.
Explore her collection and bring one of her quietly considered worlds into your space.
1. Could you tell us a bit about your journey, the transition from design to abstract art?
While studying design, I discovered my strengths in composition, learned colour theory, and the basics of typography. Even then, I had the idea of applying this knowledge to abstract art in order to create aesthetic and harmonious works. As a budding designer, I often experimented with different materials and techniques. This is how I learned about the advantages and possible uses of such an ingenious material as paper.
While design often has to fulfil a specific purpose and the product must be equipped with functions, the artist can let go of this way of thinking and work exploratively instead. This gives me the opportunity to design my products freely in order to create emotional resonance. My works of art are my products.
2. Growing up in Warsaw and later moving to Münster—how have these places influenced your artistic vision?
Cities such as Warsaw and Münster are sources of inspiration that can influence artistic creation in many ways. While Warsaw offers a mixture of modern architecture and historic buildings, Münster is characterised by its old town atmosphere. It is a cathedral city with outstanding architecture and a lot of nature.
However, I find my sources of inspiration not in the big picture, but in the finer details. I am interested in the small details that characterise a pattern and influence my work.
3. You often mention minimalism and reduction as key themes. What draws you to this visual language?
Simple, geometric shapes and a reduced colour palette result in a clear, unconventional expression. Minimalism and reduction fascinate me because they invite us to focus on the essentials. They offer an incredible opportunity to express complex emotions and concepts through simple shapes and colours.
4. What materials or techniques do you find yourself returning to most often?
I enjoy using different paper textures such as tissue paper or handmade cotton paper. I combine these with acrylic paints to create collages that form the basis of my digital work. I am fascinated by the versatility and vitality of the material, its different textures, and the unexpected results of my imperfect actions. Every paper has its own character. It has a specific surface, a unique texture, a defined colour, and different reflections. I love it!
5. How do you approach colour? Your palettes often feel calm and balanced—is that intentional from the start or intuitive?
I choose my colours intuitively, influenced by the minimalist approach. The handmade paper I use does not need an extravagant colour palette to achieve a good effect. When I feel the urge for more colour, I reach for acrylics.
6. Your work often combines texture, layering, and simplicity. How do you decide when a composition feels “complete”?
My compositions are usually based on natural patterns. Before the final work, I create sketches. The scope of the work is already determined at this stage. The work is considered complete when the result meets my expectations from the design phase.
7. Do you see your work as purely visual, or is there an emotional or philosophical story behind each piece?
My works are free of philosophy and ideology. They arise from the joy of creating and are intended to convey and communicate this joy. I do not claim to encourage people to reflect. When viewing my works, they should feel good and have as much joy as I do. Then I am satisfied.
8. What does a balanced day look like for you outside the studio?
A day outside my studio is rarely balanced. Like everyone else, I have a daily routine to manage. Together with my family, we try to visit other cities or spend a nice day at the seaside as often as possible.
9. What advice would you give to young or emerging artists exploring abstract minimalism?
Use your intuition. Let it guide you. Minimalism is often about filtering out the essentials. Trust your gut feeling when it comes to selecting elements. Be willing to experiment. Be prepared to experiment and make mistakes. Every mistake can mean a new development and bring unexpected inspiration.
10. How do you reset when you feel creatively or mentally drained?
I go out. Mostly into town. Equipped with my camera, searching for rare moments. Taking a break in a café or visiting a museum or theatre helps me find myself back in the present.
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2. Installations are scheduled on Wednesdays between 9 AM and 5 PM.
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4. Installation service is currently available only in Dubai, but we’ll be expanding to other emirates soon!
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Artist Spotlight Julita Elbe
Meet Julita Elbe, a Münster-based artist who brings a quiet sense of clarity to everything she creates. Working with handmade paper, soft acrylic layers, and gentle digital refinement, Julita builds compositions that celebrate texture, balance, and the understated beauty of everyday details. Her work feels calm and intentional — the kind of art that slows you down and invites you to simply look.
This feature dives into her shift from design to abstract minimalism, the influence of her life between Warsaw and Münster, and the intuitive process that guides her from sketch to finished piece. At Drawdeck, we’re honored to highlight artists like Julita — independent voices who infuse their craft with sincerity, precision, and emotional depth.
Explore her collection and bring one of her quietly considered worlds into your space.
1. Could you tell us a bit about your journey, the transition from design to abstract art?
While studying design, I discovered my strengths in composition, learned colour theory, and the basics of typography. Even then, I had the idea of applying this knowledge to abstract art in order to create aesthetic and harmonious works. As a budding designer, I often experimented with different materials and techniques. This is how I learned about the advantages and possible uses of such an ingenious material as paper.
While design often has to fulfil a specific purpose and the product must be equipped with functions, the artist can let go of this way of thinking and work exploratively instead. This gives me the opportunity to design my products freely in order to create emotional resonance. My works of art are my products.
2. Growing up in Warsaw and later moving to Münster—how have these places influenced your artistic vision?
Cities such as Warsaw and Münster are sources of inspiration that can influence artistic creation in many ways. While Warsaw offers a mixture of modern architecture and historic buildings, Münster is characterised by its old town atmosphere. It is a cathedral city with outstanding architecture and a lot of nature.
However, I find my sources of inspiration not in the big picture, but in the finer details. I am interested in the small details that characterise a pattern and influence my work.
3. You often mention minimalism and reduction as key themes. What draws you to this visual language?
Simple, geometric shapes and a reduced colour palette result in a clear, unconventional expression. Minimalism and reduction fascinate me because they invite us to focus on the essentials. They offer an incredible opportunity to express complex emotions and concepts through simple shapes and colours.
4. What materials or techniques do you find yourself returning to most often?
I enjoy using different paper textures such as tissue paper or handmade cotton paper. I combine these with acrylic paints to create collages that form the basis of my digital work. I am fascinated by the versatility and vitality of the material, its different textures, and the unexpected results of my imperfect actions. Every paper has its own character. It has a specific surface, a unique texture, a defined colour, and different reflections. I love it!
5. How do you approach colour? Your palettes often feel calm and balanced—is that intentional from the start or intuitive?
I choose my colours intuitively, influenced by the minimalist approach. The handmade paper I use does not need an extravagant colour palette to achieve a good effect. When I feel the urge for more colour, I reach for acrylics.
6. Your work often combines texture, layering, and simplicity. How do you decide when a composition feels “complete”?
My compositions are usually based on natural patterns. Before the final work, I create sketches. The scope of the work is already determined at this stage. The work is considered complete when the result meets my expectations from the design phase.
7. Do you see your work as purely visual, or is there an emotional or philosophical story behind each piece?
My works are free of philosophy and ideology. They arise from the joy of creating and are intended to convey and communicate this joy. I do not claim to encourage people to reflect. When viewing my works, they should feel good and have as much joy as I do. Then I am satisfied.
8. What does a balanced day look like for you outside the studio?
A day outside my studio is rarely balanced. Like everyone else, I have a daily routine to manage. Together with my family, we try to visit other cities or spend a nice day at the seaside as often as possible.
9. What advice would you give to young or emerging artists exploring abstract minimalism?
Use your intuition. Let it guide you. Minimalism is often about filtering out the essentials. Trust your gut feeling when it comes to selecting elements. Be willing to experiment. Be prepared to experiment and make mistakes. Every mistake can mean a new development and bring unexpected inspiration.
10. How do you reset when you feel creatively or mentally drained?
I go out. Mostly into town. Equipped with my camera, searching for rare moments. Taking a break in a café or visiting a museum or theatre helps me find myself back in the present.