Dieter Runge lives and works on Oʻahu, where he makes art and music, teaches taiji and yoga and cooks Ayurvedic food, which he also teaches. In 2015/16, Dieter taught elementary school art at Ka'elepulu Elementary School in Kailua. In 2012 he taught printmaking workshops in Colorado and New York City. In 2014/15 he was president of the Honolulu Printmakers. He received his MFA in painting from the University of Hawaiʻi in 2008 and a Bachelor's in Psychology and Art in 2003. Dieter grew up in Germany, lived in New York City, the US Virgin Islands, and has been in Hawaiʻi since 1990. He has studied qi gong and taiji with Mantak Chia, T.K. Shih, Hannette Chi and Zeng Chen Dong, and Yoga with Myra Lewin. While living in New York, Dieter wrote, recorded and produced several vinyl records and realized various videos. At present, Dieter is focusing on painting and a yogic and ayurvedic lifestyle. He also creates wood block prints, writes and records music, and works in other odd jobs. He goes kitesurfing with friends when the conditions are excellent.