Art You Can Feel, and Eat?

I’ve always had a connection to Germany. My father is German, and although his family is from Düsseldorf not Berlin, I spent many childhood summers visiting Berlin because of close family friends who have long felt like actual family. Berlin has always held a special place in my heart, and now that I’ve moved here, it’s even more meaningful. It feels like I’ve closed a nostalgic, emotional loop one that keeps growing the longer I stay.

Which brings me to Christopher Lehmpfuhl.

I first discovered Lehmpfuhl's work in the most unexpected way walking into my parents-in-law’s apartment and noticing a new painting hanging on their wall. It immediately caught my eye. I’ve always appreciated art and love learning about it (even if I’m far from a professional). This particular painting felt… odd, but in a good way. It was a swirl of heavy color, almost abstract I couldn’t quite make out what I was looking at.

As I was studying it, my father-in-law noticed my curiosity and smiled: “You’re looking at it wrong.” I was confused. Then he told me to step back.

And that’s when it happened.

What had looked like textured blobs suddenly transformed into a stunning, snowy Berlin street. The further back I stepped, the clearer it became. The buildings, the snow, the light it all came together in this incredibly emotional way. I was amazed.

He explained to me that Christopher Lehmpfuhl paints entirely with his hands no brushes and using thick layers of oil paint, applied directly onto the canvas in an impasto style. He paints en plein air (outdoors), capturing the light and atmosphere of real Berlin streets, parks, and buildings. The result is incredibly tactile the art feels like the city, full of movement, color, and energy. It’s chaotic and calming all at once.

Lehmpfuhl is a Berlin native and draws inspiration from his surroundings, which gives his work a unique soulfulness. It feels personal, even when it’s depicting a street corner or skyline.

And now you’re probably thinking: “Okay… but how do you eat it?”

Well here’s where it gets even better.

Turns out, Christopher Lehmpfuhl also bakes sourdough bread. Yes, really. He uses a top-secret family recipe passed down for generations, and he sells it under the name Lehmpfuhls Holzofenbrot baked in a wood-fired oven, naturally. You can find it at select Berlin markets and specialty stores, usually tucked inside a beautifully designed cloth bag.

My mother-in-law surprised us with a loaf one day, and I have to say the bread is just as good as the art. Maybe even better. It’s crusty on the outside, perfectly chewy on the inside, and it tastes like it was made with the same passion and craftsmanship that goes into every one of his paintings.

So yes, sometimes art is something you hang on your wall.And sometimes, it’s something you eat with butter.