At Aeris, our products help us think outside the box. Because even beyond classic office spaces, it's clear: dynamic sitting changes the way we work and how new ideas emerge.
When working in her studio, artist Vera Helene prefers to sit on her Aeris Swopper. We wanted to know what inspires her in her profession, how movement shapes her daily life, and why dynamic sitting has become indispensable for her and her work.
Art as a Way of Life
From a young age, Vera Helene was fascinated by the world of painting and its various colors and forms. This passion was shaped primarily by her father and grandfather. The latter took her to art exhibitions when she was young, which they viewed and discussed together. Her father, a landscape painter with a love for detail, was also Vera Helene's mentor, teacher, and companion:
"He showed me techniques, encouraged me, and always supported me in finding my own path in art."
The artist Vera Helene Zieglmeier in her art studio.
These early impulses not only shaped her artistic technique but also her attitude towards the world. Vera therefore completed comprehensive training in fine and creative arts.
"Art has always been my calling – I've never done anything else professionally," she says today with a matter-of-factness that is based on a wealth of experience.
For many years, the artist has worked internationally as a freelance stylist for fashion, advertising, and film productions. She is also active in photo design and has already developed fashion shop concepts for major fashion fairs.
When Work and Life Become One
Artistic work cannot be compared to a classic job that you start in the morning and finish after eight hours. "Art is more than work," says Vera Helene. She describes her profession more as an interplay of "breathing, expression, language, and being." There is no clear separation between "work and life" – i.e., a work-life balance in the classic sense. Art is not temporary work, but a life of expression and creativity.
What does the daily life of an artist look like?
Vera's first impulse in the morning has always been movement. Her day usually begins with a 10km jog, during which she can let her thoughts run free. She intensely perceives the world around her, gathering impressions, colors, and moods – inspiration on the go.
After a cup of cappuccino and muesli for breakfast, a walk through the garden offers a mental preview of the further development of her work. "I let my thoughts drift, which particularly boosts my creativity," she says. With new energy and fresh images in her head, she then goes to the studio to transfer her inspiration in color onto the canvas and continue working on current paintings.
Vera's greatest passion is oil painting, with which she focuses on the expression of human personality: "For me, man is a mystery, and it fascinates me to make his personality and emotions visible."
✨🎨Vera Helene's Sources of Inspiration
Besides her father as her greatest direct inspiration and guiding figure, Vera Helene is also impressed by various artists from the past and present: "David Bowie, David Kassan, and Mark Thompson from the USA impress me with their expressive power." From her hometown of Nuremberg, she is particularly fascinated by Albrecht Dürer, but also by Caravaggio with his dramatic interplay of light.
Art That Stays in Motion: The Aeris Swopper as a Creative Partner in Everyday Work
For Vera Helene, one thing is clear: creativity needs dynamism.
"For me as an artist, stagnation is the biggest creativity block, and the Swopper allows me to work dynamically at the canvas."
To be able to work creatively, a bright workplace with enough room for movement is most important to Vera Helene.
The Aeris Swopper found its way into Vera's studio when she was looking for a work stool that would support her creativity and get her moving. Since early 2025, it has been an integral part of her studio. The maximum freedom of movement allowed by the Swopper was particularly decisive for her. Sitting, semi-standing, turning, possibilities to change perspective – all without interrupting the creative flow.
"My posture is more upright, I no longer slouch like I used to on normal chairs, and I can move freely. Back pain is a thing of the past."
In addition to mobility, the practical aspects of the work stool also played a decisive role: a model with castors was particularly important to the artist, allowing her to effortlessly move between her trolley for mixing oil paints and her canvas:
"This keeps my work flexible and fluid, without losing energy."
As a work stool with castors, the Aeris Swopper offers maximum freedom of movement when working in the studio.
Over time, the Swopper has even developed into a real all-rounder for Vera. To unwind after a long day in the studio, the Swopper is also gladly used as a training device, where she lies prone on the seat and does exercises with dumbbells.
"I must confess that I am not only practically but also emotionally in love with this chair."
For Vera, the Swopper is therefore much more than just a piece of furniture. She describes it as her creative tool, which enriches her daily work, strengthens her back, and supports her creativity. For Vera, dynamic working does not simply mean physical activity, but "bringing body, mind, and emotions into harmony." Movement keeps her flexible, supports her creativity, and gives her the lightness she needs for her artistic creation process.
Vera Helene's journey is a vivid example that creativity becomes strongest when we have the courage to put ourselves in motion. Finally, we asked the artist what she wishes for herself, but also for others, in the art of creative creation:
"I wish to continue creating authentic, touching art that inspires people. For others, I hope they find the courage to express their creativity and create spaces for themselves where they can develop."
👀 We're looking for you!
Do you also have a job where you sit on an Aeris chair and which is anything but a typical office job? Do you want to tell your story here?
Then please send us a message to online@aeris.de with the subject "Aeris x Bewegte Berufe" (Aeris x Dynamic Professions)!
...And if your story becomes part of our journey, another Aeris product may soon move in with you. 💌
