I Am Too Busy to Create Art

Blog 9

At the beginning of January, I started my yearly Creativity Challenge to encourage myself to create a small artwork every day. I managed to keep on track until the end the January.

I could make the excuse that I was too busy as I had a full schedule, but in reality, I prioritized other things or was too ambitious in picking a subject to get started. However, often the simple things make exciting subjects, as you can see from the drawing of the kiwi I created this week.

There are always things that you need to do. I still attempt to worry less about perfection and be more spontaneous. Can you relate? What struggles do you face when you work on a project?

I will continue to share my daily art in my blogs. I might pick a specific subject for a week to practice different styles and use various materials. Is there a subject that you would like me to explore? Please send your suggestions to info@KerstinPeters.ca.

Here is a selection of my daily art from the past week:



I encourage you to pick up a pencil and paper to explore patterns and colours. Have a mug of coloured pencils and markers in reach. You can create images of things that are on your mind or in your surroundings, exploring different mediums. In the beginning, it might feel challenging or even frustrating to get started. However, the more you draw, the more it feels liberating and the more ideas you will get. 

I would love to see what you have created in the past two months. If you are on Facebook, I invite you to join the private group Creative Connection for Artists and Crafters. This group is for creative people who want to connect with other like-minded people.

 

Creative Collaboration of Art and Language

Blog 8


In this blog, I write about Collaboration, the last of my Core Values. I believe joy and adventure increase when you combine language with art.


When you visit my website, you notice that art is the umbrella for everything I do in my business. For most of my life, I have captured whatever caught my interest. When I first started teaching, I started teaching German before offering art courses. Regardless of the course books we used, the curriculum was pretty similar.


In the past couple of years, virtual platforms have transformed the way we can connect with clients. I can reach people worldwide, but so can my potential customers.


To differentiate my German courses from other online offers, I combined my art and German teaching skills to develop my Learn German Through Art programme. I created my own course book and additional learning materials.


My programme is based on the principle of visual expression to visualize and memorize new content. As a result, my students have more fun and learn new material much faster. It does not matter if they have any previous art skills. We can all draw lines (and no, they don’t have to be straight) and simple shapes that are the basis for every artwork. The art part of the class helps to relax and sometimes creates comical entertainment.

Did you know that 65 Percent of the population are visual learners? Therefore, it is no surprise that art is used in many different areas to visualize content.


While art can help you learn German, words can also be a powerful tool when you add them to your artwork.


Some artists add words to their paintings, especially when they create collages. Other examples are creative collaborations between writers and artists. We often see art and words united in children’s books. However, beautiful art often enhances delightful poems, or writers get inspired to create a poem o story in response to a painting.


I believe that art and language go hand in hand to enrich our lives, provide relaxation and build bridges of understanding. Creative collaborations increase enjoyment and success.


If you are intrigued to learn more, I would love to meet you for a virtual coffee date. Book your session here. 

 

P. S. Here is a collage of this week's daily art:

 

Last Friday, I spent about two hours felting but did not draw in my sketchbook.

Create Community for Fun and Inspired Success

Blog 7


Teamwork in a community provides support and inspiration because you have the accountability and the brain power of many, and it’s much more fun.
 

When you have a solid support system, you have people to celebrate with you when things are going well and help you through challenging periods. Many studies have shown that having close relationships improves your health and chances for a long and happy life.

I have always had close relationships with my family and friends. How much their support meant to me became more evident after I moved to Canada, when I felt very lost. I realized fast that I needed to find a new community of people with similar values and interests.


I registered for art classes to meet people and improve my skills. I had taken art classes in Germany and felt that my language barriers would not matter in the safe environment of art. While I enjoyed the classes, I didn’t connect with other participants, but I revived my love for painting. Even though creating art is simultaneously exhilarating and peaceful, if you stay in your home or studio, it is solitary.


My situation changed when I joined a local art organization, where I found a wonderful mentor and first acquaintances. I gained knowledge and confidence. Another artist invited me to join her and some friends at a plein air meeting. The other painters were very welcoming.


While some members have turned to other activities, I am still friends with most of the original group. During the past almost 20 years, we have become close friends who support each other in life’s situations.


I strive to provide the same supportive community for my students. We all work toward the same goal. You want to learn a skill, and I want you to succeed. The real magic happens when we get together with others to help each other. We all have our weaknesses and strengths, and we can use these to reach the mutual goal of improving our skills.

If you want to find out more about joining my community, book a coffee date to connect and see if I can help you reach your goals.

P.S. Here are the images of the daily art I created this week: 

 

Art, the Compelling Connector

Blog 6


Today, I write about my third Core Value: Connection.


People need relationships to thrive. While there are personal and cultural differences in the way we define connections and our need for them, there is no doubt that they improve our quality of life.


Art is a compelling connector. Artists use their art to relate to themselves and others. They create or join groups to work with like-minded artists and show their art to connect with their audience to build these connections.


Art is everywhere in the forms of visual, literary and performing arts. Different art forms offer diverse creative outlets to express ourselves. By sharing their art, artists enrich our lives by adding diversity and excitement.


In the following paragraphs, I will demonstrate the power of art as a connector from the view of a visual artist like myself.


Artists pay close attention to their environment and the changes that happen. They see things many people overlook. From my experience, I can tell you that this connection is even stronger when I paint outside and become part of the environment. Nature’s energy inspires and energizes me. I forget everything but the subject I am painting.


Art opens doors for connection through conversations with the community. Every artwork contains a piece of the energy the artist puts into it and has a story. People want to identify with it to pass it on to others. It is a magical moment when your art touches someone, and their face lights up.


People purchase art because of the emotions and bonds they feel. They see their dreams and experiences reflected in the image. They might associate the image with cherished memories or are attracted to the subject and mood.


Art students connect based on trust in the instructor and the right chemistry. Communication serves to strengthen the bond to help them succeed.


Art is also a tool to bridge language barriers when a lack of language skills or trauma prevents us from expressing ourselves with words. Art serves to visualize ideas and dreams. Everyday uses for mapping out directions and thoughts, describing objects or illustrating mathematical divisions are visual communications.


Art creates a powerful connection and encourages understanding, whether artists capture the beauty of their environment, historical moments or expressions of opinions about social events. If artists hide their works, they commit a disservice to their community. They take away an opportunity to connect.

 

If you want to connect with me,  book a coffee date to chat. 

P. S. Here are the artworks from this week. As I had to prepare for my art classes, I created images of subjects I would usually not draw.