Enlarge image Gallery owner and host, Christian Hohmann and Armin Mueller-Stahl. (© Germany.info/Los Angeles) Veteran actor and artist Armin Mueller-Stahl presented his newest collection of paintings, works on paper and fine prints on Saturday, April 28 at a reception hosted by Christian Hohmann Fine Art in Palm Desert.

The weekend’s art-themed festivities continued Sunday with Mueller-Stahl attending a screening of his 2006 film, "Local Color," in which he played the role of reclusive Russian artist Nikolai Serof, at the Cinémas Palme D'Or. Afterwards, he participated in an intimate Q&A with filmgoers.

Enlarge image Fellow German actor Udo Kier attends opening. (© Germany.info/Los Angeles) Armin Mueller-Stahl, who may be most widely recognized in the United States as an actor for his roles in the films "Angels and Demons," "The Game," "Avalon," and for his Oscar-nominated performance in "Shine" with Geoffrey Rush, is a multitalented artist who has achieved success not only as a film and stage actor but also as a musician, painter and novelist as well.

Enlarge image Consul General Wolfgang Drautz with Armin Mueller-Stahl and his wife Gabrielle Scholz. (© Germany.info/Los Angeles) Born in Tilsit, East Prussia in 1930, Mueller-Stahl became a noted concert violinist while still in his teens before turning his attention to acting. In 1980, he immigrated to West Germany, where he established himself as an actor, and soon made his way to Hollywood to join the ranks of international screen stars such as George Clooney, Michael Douglas, John Malkovich and Tom Hanks.

Enlarge image Q&A with Armin Mueller-Stahl after screening of "Local Color." (© Germany.info/Los Angeles) Mueller-Stahl had already begun to paint in his mid-twenties, but refused to exhibit his work—not wanting to be categorized as just another painting actor. Also, since painting came so effortlessly to him, he feared that his artwork would not be taken as seriously as his acting career. Finally, for his 70th birthday, a friend convinced him to show his work at the film museum in Berlin-Babelsberg. From that moment on, his career trajectory shifted, and his career as an artist took off. As a result, today, he is better known in the U.S. as the painting actor, while in Germany he is better known as the acting painter. Furthermore, he has attained enormous success as a chansonnier, having recently returned from a 13-city European tour featuring his political songs.

Enlarge image Armin Mueller-Stahl's artwork on display at Christian Hohmann Fine Art. (© Germany.info/Los Angeles) The exhibition of Armin Mueller-Stahl’s art will be on view at Christian Hohmann Fine Art through June 1, 2012. For availability and pricing or to make an appointment for a private viewing, please contact the gallery at 760-346-4243. Works can also be viewed online at www.christianhohmann.com