Advent Calendar Days 20 - 24

 

Here is the final blog for this year. Thank you for reading my stories and the kind feedback I received on my social media pages.

If you are celebrating Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays to you, your family and friends. All the best for a Healthy, Happy and Creative 2026. 



I will post my first blog of 2026 on the last Friday in January. 

Day 20: Grazing Under Autumn's Glow, 9" x 12", watercolour, CAN $250, unframed

I took the picture of this challenging scene, which we painted during one of our virtual Painting Buddies meetings. It shows the field off O'Toole Road in Cumberland, where cows were grazing, undisturbed by us and the many cars passing. Janis had tried to sketch the cows on location, but they moved too much. Capturing them from a photo was enough of a challenge.

Grazing Under Autumn’s Glow captures a herd of cows bathed in warm autumn light, grazing peacefully amid a landscape rich with autumn colours.This painting celebrates the quiet harmony between animals and the glowing landscape of autumn. It invites you to enjoy a moment of calm observation.

Day 21: Last Dash of Autumn, watercolour, 7.5" x 5.75", CAN $100, unframed

 

This watercolour painting captures a scene from my neighbourhood in early November, when I was searching for and taking photos of the last vibrant hues of autumn. As most colours were already fading, these final bursts stood out even more strongly, like a joyful farewell to the season.

These bright hues bring the painting to life, reflecting my love of colour and the happiness it brings me. I cannot imagine a world in black and white, and this painting is a reminder of how colour can lift the spirit, even on the threshold of winter.

 

Day 22: A Rainbow of Leaves, gouache, 8.3" x 5.8"

 

Due to rainy weather, I changed my outdoor painting plans and painted the view from my kitchen window instead. It wasn't plein air painting, but as close as I could manage. I started with tinted mixed-media paper and used gouache to capture this scene, which I enjoyed.

 

You can check out the videos I created about this experience: 

 https://youtube.com/shorts/ tvkBWQJ3Whg 

 https://youtube.com/shorts/ Qaox10yZPO. 

 
 

Day 23: Winter Fields, watercolour, 5.5" x 8.5"

 

My friend Janis Fulton provided the reference photo of the scene that captures the quiet stillness of the winter fields in Cumberland. A soft grey sky hangs low, hinting at more snow to come as nature settles beneath an ever-deepening blanket of snow. The landscape feels tranquil and untouched — a moment of calm where you can almost hear the silence of the snow-covered world. Unfortunately, I painted the new winter scene on the back of my painting, Spring's Floral Magic. 

The spring painting shows the beautiful flowers I saw during my visit to the Trauttmansdorff Castle Gardens, a botanical garden in Meran, during my trip to Northern Italy in May 2023. It is a paradise for anyone who loves flowers and trees.

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Day 24: Hudson, wool and dog hair, 10" x 8", commission 

 

 

In October, I paused most of my needle-felted projects to work on the commission of another dog portrait. Hudson was a beloved family member who crossed the rainbow bridge earlier this year. After the client decided on the reference photos for the dog and the scenery, she saw the piece for the first time once I considered it almost complete. Usually, I receive some requests for minor changes because the owners remember a feature from their beloved pet that would not be noticeable to strangers. 

As this artwork is slightly smaller than the previous portraits I created, I had to cut Hudson's fur into smaller pieces before adding it to the top layer. It was challenging to capture the details of the eyes because of the small size of the portrait. 

When my client asked me if I could use glass eyes to make his eyes shinier and darker the way she remembered, I struggled to find a solution. Hudson looks to the side, so that the forms of the right and left eye are slightly different.



I thought of my acrylic gels and created a test eye. I applied two coats of gloss super heavy gel, followed by three coats of self-leveling gel gloss. At first, the eyes looked horrible because both gels are white and only turn clear after drying. As the final step, I painted the eyes black and added some zinc white spots for light reflection. If I had known about the wish for shiny eyes, I would have left the spots without wool, as the surface is not entirely smooth despite the gel layers. 

Even though the black eyes were shiny, I was still unsatisfied with the look of the eyes. Luckily, I was able to add a layer of wool for the upper and lower lid to achieve a more natural look. I was glad that the felting needle went through the gel layers. 

After another consultation with my client, I added a bit more wool to the tail. I also felt that the fur around the snout needed a bit more of the darker brown. 

Looking for mats and frames, I immediately decided to use a white mat and either a white or black frame to pick up the colours of the dog. My client picked the black frame. She was very pleased about the unique gift for her son and his family, which will keep a piece of Hudson forever in their lives.



I hope you enjoyed my 2025 Art Advent Calendar. Which one was your favourite piece? 

Advent Calendar Days 13 - 19

 

This blog is already the third part of my Art Advent Calendar. If you are wondering why I didn't list prices for my watercolour paintings, it's because I never planned to sell them. After I received some inquiries, I decided to offer them for sale to my newsletter subscribers. Every month, I have special promotions for the latest watercolour paintings.



However, for the first time, I have also offered my watercolour paintings for sale on my Facebook and Instagram pages. The painting of the Art Advent Calendar Day has been on sale for that particular day. If you like one from this blog, you can still take advantage of the Christmas promotion. 

 

Christmas Promotion until December 20, 2025 (midnight ET) 

 

The more paintings you buy, the more you save:

1st painting: 10%
2nd painting: 15%
3rd painting: 20%
Each painting after that: +5%

I will apply the highest rebate to the painting with the lowest price. 

These discounts also apply to gift certificates of $100 or $250 toward artwork purchases or workshop registrations.

 Please contact me at info@KerstinPeters.ca for more information.

Day 13: Dreams in Magenta (Hollyhocks), watercolour, watercolour pencils and white ink, 7.5" x 5.78", CAN $100, unframed

This painting is also from a virtual Painting Buddies session. We painted the hollyhocks I saw in my neighbourhood. I outlined the flowers with white ink to make the flowers stand out against the soft background.

Dreams in Magenta captures the graceful elegance of hollyhocks swaying gently in the summer breeze. The delicate, layered blooms and rich colours create a feeling of romance, inspiring you to enjoy the moment and daydream.

Day 14: Garden Confetti, watercolour and watercolour pencil, 6.7" x 9.4", CAN $150, unframed  

 

I started this painting during the Cumberland Art and Garden Tour in July, when Zinnias bloomed in 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐛 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐲's garden. If you look at the three photos, you will see that I added one more bloom later in the painting process to repeat the magenta colour of the blossom on the right. 

 

This painting is a joyful celebration of summer with a lively burst of colour. The vibrant petals scatter like confetti. They invite you to linger and soak in the warmth and abundance of the season, just the way I did on that hot July day.



Day 15:Spicy Harvest, watercolour and watercolour pencils, 7.5" x 5.78" , CAN $100, unframed

I started this artwork during one of our one-hour virtual get-togethers. I was surprised by how much fun I had with the pepper painting. It is not a subject I would usually pick.



First, I usually draw the basic shapes with watercolour pencils, then paint in layers. I added peppers in some areas and left others out - the privilege of an artist.



The painting is a celebration of the pride and joy gardeners feel when the results of their hard work are fresh, home-grown vegetables and fruits. The vibrant mix of reds, greens, yellows, and oranges creates a dynamic composition bursting with energy and warmth.

Day 16: Purple Flowering Raspberry, watercolour, watercolour pencils and white ink, 5.78" x 7.5", SOLD

 

This piece from our virtual Painting Buddies meeting shows one of the many Purple Flowering Raspberry bushes growing in front of our house. They are not only beautiful but also attract many bees and wasps, and provide fruits that resemble flat raspberries. 

I took my time to finish the painting, and each brushstroke felt very meditative. I am learning to accept that I am a slow painter and loving the process of bringing each piece to life. The painting sold immediately after I published it in my newsletter.

 

Day 17: Snack Time, wool, 7.5" x 11.25", CAN $450, custom-matted to fit a 12" x 15" frame

I saw the squirrel munching on nuts when I visited my friend Helene Martin in Dartmouth in September 2023. Even though many people walked past the little critter, it concentrated fully on its meal and didn't pay any attention to us


The painting captures a charming moment in nature as a little squirrel pauses to enjoy a well-earned treat. The squirrel munching its nut reminds us of the simple joys of wildlife and their ability to live in the moment.

Day 18: Fall Colours at Mer Bleue Bog, watercolour, 8.5" x 5.5" , CAN $120, unframed

 
On October 15, Janis and I went to Mer Bleue to paint the glowing tamaracks. While the wind was cold, the sun was still so warm that I took off my jacket while we were painting. I enjoy this time of the year when the beautiful autumn colours glow, the temperatures are still pleasant, and the bugs don't bite anymore.

Here is the video I recorded at the location.



Day 19: Indian Summer, O' Toole Road, watercolour and gouache, 5.5" x 8.5"

 

On October 19, we had one last gorgeous day with sun and temperatures of 25 degrees. Therefore, Janis and I decided on a last-minute painting outing on a busy side road in Cumberland. Many people enjoyed the fantastic weather to go to the pumpkin patch. The many cars were distracting, but the cows on the other side of the road didn't mind, and I also quickly forgot about the traffic. I was fully absorbed in painting the glowing foliage of the trees.

Here is the video I recorded.



I wish you a lovely fourth Advent. I will post the final blog at the end of the Advent Calendar, on Wednesday, December 24, at noon.

Advent Calendar Days 6 - 12

Here is the second blog with images from this year. Most of them are watercolour paintings. My goal for this year was to finish ten artworks every month. I reached this goal during most months. It helped that I leafed through previous watercolour pads and discovered many unfinished pieces that still excited me. Finishing them felt very energizing. I started almost all of the following artworks during our weekly Painting Buddies Meetings, for which I am very grateful. We meet every week, except when I am on vacation.


While it is often challenging to meet on location due to busy schedules and unfavourable weather, everyone usually finds the time for our weekly creative collaboration. We share a virtual photo album from which we pick the reference photos. We have agreed that we all can use the images in the album for any creative purpose, which is crucial if one of us wants to exhibit and sell any of the works created during the sessions.


It is still amazing how different the results are despite us all using the same reference photos. I am glad for this uplifting group of friends.



Day 6: The Thaw, Petrie Island, watercolour, 7" x 10", unframed, 
CAN $210

I painted this image during a Painting Buddies Zoom session in February 2024. In early March of this year, I finally finished this winter scene of the ice thawing at Petrie Island. I love painting at Petrie Island, which always offers a beautiful retreat from daily responsibilities. Unfortunately, during winter, it is often too cold or wet to paint outside. 

 

The painting captures the change of seasons when winter loosens its grip, and the river breaks up. As the ice melts, it reveals the dark water with the subtle reflections of the surrounding landscape. These are the first signs of winter's end and the promise of warmer days ahead

Day 7: Red Temptation, watercolour pencils, 5.78" x 7.5", unframed, 
CAN $100 

I love the photo of the butterfly I took during my visit to the Palmengarten in Frankfurt, Germany, in April. It is another painting from our virtual meetings. I am delighted with the outcome of the blue butterfly on the bush with the red flowers. To make the wings sparkle, I used a layer of blue metallic watercolour. 

The warm red cluster of blooms attracts the delicate blue butterfly. The bold contrast between the butterfly’s cool, iridescent wings and the warm, inviting blossoms creates a sense of vibrancy, an invitation to pause and appreciate the beauty found in small, fleeting encounters.

Day 8: The Bay Awakens, watercolour and watercolour pencil, white ink, 6.7" x 9.4", unframed, CAN $150

On a sunny day in late April, I went to a bay of the Ottawa River, where ice still covered part of the water. However, I sat in the shade most of the time, and the wind was so strong that I got uncomfortably cold and left after only 45 minutes of painting. I finished the piece with reference photos in the warmth of the cottage. 

The Bay Awakens captures the quiet beauty of early spring as geese glide across a bay still holding onto the last remnants of winter. Pale green water reflects the soft light of early spring, while fragile sheets of melting ice drift gently towards the shore. This peaceful scene marks the subtle transition from cold to warmth — a promise of life returning to the bay.

Day 9: Spring Bouquet with Pink Tulips, watercolour, 7.5" x 11" , unframed, CAN $230

Janis Fulton provided the reference photo for this lovely bouquet. I started this painting in April 2024 and then put it aside because I worried about how to paint the delicate white blooms of the baby's breath.

When I finally went back to the painting this February, I struggled to create the impression of the delicate baby's breath against the powerful tulips and hyacinths. After I finished the painting, I cut part of the background because there was too much empty space. I love how the pink tulips, the delicate baby's breath and the purple hyacinth create a beautiful symphony of brilliant cool colours.

Day 10: Arlo, wool, wool and dog hair, 12" x 9", commission

The needle-felted painting of Arlo underwent many changes. I started the piece after picking one of the reference photos Arlo's owner provided. Unfortunately, colours often vary depending on the light, the camera and the screen settings. When I finally met Arlo two months later, I realized that his fut was much lighter. 

 

After the next grooming, Arlo's owner sent me some of his light fur and a new photo of his face, with his eyes not covered with hair. Unfortunately, it showed Arlo from a different side. However, the changed expression made him look even cuter and happier. I added a layer of his fur on top of the previous wool layers to get a perfect colour match. For a long time, I struggled with the changes to the eyes and mouth. Once I was satisfied, I sent the update to the owner, who loved it. 

We all think of certain poses of our pets that we cherish the most. When I create a pet portrait, I want to capture the pet's personality in a pose the owner cherishes. 
 

Do you want me to capture your beloved pet in wool or acrylic? Please send me a DM, and I will gladly give you more information.

Day 11: Pink Hibiscus, watercolour and watercolour pencils, 7.5" x 5.78", unframed, CAN $100

I started this painting in August 2023, using a reference photo provided by Janis Fulton. I added layers of paint to make the flower more brilliant and filled the background. Hibiscus plants bring so much joy because they continuously bloom from spring to fall, often with several flowers at the same time. The painting is a celebration of the radiant beauty of a single vibrant hibiscus bloom. The vivid hues draw the eye toward the flower’s luminous center, capturing a moment of pure botanical wonder.

Day 12:  Flaming Bloom, watercolour and watercolour pencils, 7.5" x 5.78", unframed, CAN $100

To rest my eyes from computer work, I leafed through a pad with unfinished watercolour paintings and finished this one of a wide-open poppy I love how the open red poppy glows like a flame against the deep, dark green leaves. Janis Fulton provided the reference photo for this artwork.

Have you fallen in love with any of the paintings? You can still save with my Christmas promotion. Please contact me for more information.

 
Have a wonderful  day!

Advent Calendar Days 1 - 5

 

It is time for the annual Art Advent Calendar. For the next four weeks, I will publish a summary of the paintings here. 

 

Since December 1, I have posted a new painting every day on my Facebook and Instagram pages, where the painting of the day will be on special for the day. 

 

If you like one from this blog, you can still take advantage of the Christmas promotion. 

Christmas Promotion until December 20, 2025 (midnight ET) 

 

The more paintings you buy, the more you save:

1st painting: 10%
2nd painting: 15%
3rd painting: 20%
Each painting after that: +5%

I will apply the highest rebate to the painting with the lowest price. 

These discounts also apply to gift certificates of $100 or $250 toward artwork purchases or workshop registrations.

 Please contact me at info@KerstinPeters.ca for more information.

 

This year, I have finished many watercolour paintings but didn't felt as much as in the previous year due to my travel schedule and the two felted dog portrait commissions I created. Both of them took me a long time.I strive to deliver images that capture details only the owners are likely to recognize. They make all the difference when capturing the personality of a loved pet, and not a generic dog painting.

 

Looking back, I captured flowers in the majority of my paintings, which I love as a subject because of their vibrant colours and diversity. 

 

While I didn't see my painting buddies in person for most of the year, my friend Janis and I painted again at the Tulip Festival, in my garden, several times at Petrie Island and Mer Bleue. As we all have busy lives, I am grateful for our weekly virtual Zoom meetings that most of our small group attends regularly.

 

I hope you enjoy my review of 24 paintings from this year. I would love to hear which one is your favourite. As always, I post them by season.

  

Day 1: Icy Creek, watercolour and white ink, 7.5" x 5.8", CAN $100, unframed

 

This painting shows Broome Creek in the Whitewater Region on a crisp winter day. There is something magical about standing beside a frozen creek on a quiet winter day. However, it would have been too cold to paint outdoors. I struggled a lot with the water and the shadows on the snow. As a final touch, I added some white ink.

Day 2: Golden Sunset in the Country, watercolour, 8.25" x 11", SOLD

I started the painting last year and finally finished this brilliant sunset in the country. Janis Fulton provided the reference photo for this peaceful scene. It is one of the paintings I sold immediately after posting it in my newsletter.

 

Day 3: Frozen Ottawa River Sunset, metallic watercolour, 8,25" x 11",  CAN $180 unframed

 

When I went through my watercolour pads, I came upon this painting and decided I didn't want to change anything. I always tell my students to set a painting aside for a few hours before making further adjustments. When painting, we become so immersed in the process that we need some time to view the artwork with fresh eyes. The painting shows the frozen Ottawa River near Petrie Island, with the sunset reflecting on the ice. My use of metallic watercolours creates a glimmering surface that is not visible in the photo of the artwork.

 
 

Day 4: End of the Season, watercolour and watercolour pencil, 6" x 12,  
CAN $180, unframed
 

I almost finished this painting of the cheerful fishing huts on location at Petrie Island. However, when we packed our things to go home, I noticed that I had forgotten the details of the trees. I quickly added some colour to remind me. Back at home, I finished the painting while the memory was fresh. I added more darkness to the ice, shrubs and trees in the background.

 

Day 5: Peaceful Retreat, watercolour and metallic watercolour, 8.25" x 11", 
CAN $180 unframed

The reference photo for this Nova Scotia scene is from Hélène Martin. I used metallic watercolours when I started the painting in April 2023 to capture the glimmer of the light on the water. I learned in the process that you must be cautious when adding the metallic paint because the glitter will remain, even if you add further layers of regular watercolour paint.

Next Friday, I will post the next seven images of my Art Advent Calendar. If you want to see them daily and take advantage of the promotions, follow my Facebook or Instagram page, where I will post the images at 10 AM (ET) daily.

 

Imagining My Life in 2035

 

Blog 11

After reflecting on the past thirty years, I look forward to the journey of the next decade. I am excited to see how my life will change and become even richer. I invite you to join me in celebrating my 40 years in Canada in 2035. Let's see if the story will unfold they way I envision it today.



It is April 21, 2035.


I can hardly believe that it's now forty years since I came to Canada. I am 70 years old and have spent the majority of my years in Canada. I don't feel like 70, but my body often tells me otherwise.

I finally became a Canadian while keeping my German citizenship. Living in this beautiful country for the past forty years, I feel that half of me belongs to Canada. Sometimes, I am sad that my children and their families will hardly have any connection to my birth country. However, with people moving around in the world and not staying in their hometowns, it is a worldwide phenomenon. I will do my part to ensure younger generations remember and appreciate our roots.

When I arrived in Canada, I was very shy and not very open-minded. I enjoyed the company of many friends from different social and religious backgrounds. I loved learning about their heritage and traditions. However, I was close-minded in many areas of my life. I had never been an adventurer. I cherished my predictable routines. Moving to a new continent forced me to leave my comfort zone.

If I had stayed in Germany, I would probably have continued in an office job in the banking industry until we had kids. Daycare for children under three years was unavailable until the early 2000s. Therefore, I might have worked part-time in my father's architecture office in the mornings, picking our children up from kindergarten and school by lunchtime.

It would probably have nurtured my creative side through craft projects with our children, knitting and sewing bears in my evenings. Attending painting courses would not have happened until our kids were both in their teens.

Though I had a stable number of friends, living in a new continent forced me to establish new relationships. Today, I have friends in Canada and in Germany. I also have an extended circle of acquaintances whom I have never met in person. The development of virtual platforms has made staying in contact much easier. I am grateful for the many connections, support and inspiration.

While I had to fight a long time to find my place in the new environment, it also made me stronger and helped me grow. I learned more about myself. Whenever I struggle, I remember the obstacles I have overcome with persistence and determination.

Especially after my tragic accident in December 2021, I had to make myself and my needs a priority. All the weeks tied to a hospital bed, then a wheelchair and later a walker helped me fight for my recovery. During my approximately 18 months of rehabilitation, I realized that I didn't have time to waste.

Osteoarthritis in my hips, probably at least accelerated due to the pelvis fracture, causes occasional flare-ups so painful that I can hardly move. Luckily, with more sleep, mindful eating and physio exercises, these flare-ups don't occur too often. However, they always frighten me because I fear the limitations of what I can still achieve.

Expressing my creativity and nurturing relationships by meeting friends and family several times a week keeps my mood up. I no longer postpone trips. In recent years, I travelled to several Canadian provinces, Japan, Spain, and many German towns I wanted to visit. I still want to visit Northern Europe and India.

Luckily, I still paint with my Painting Buddies, even though some of them are already in their late eighties. When a friend and I visited my former art teacher, Inge Besken, then in her early nineties, she told us that her low energy prevented her from painting anymore. However, she still created art with markers every day. She gave us both a composition of colours and lines, which I have hanging on my door to remind me that I can still create art in old age.

There have been many changes in the past ten years. Being sandwiched between our parents and our kids had its challenges, but my strong relationships and my art have given me the strength to accept what I couldn't change and provide joy as the foundation of my happy life.

I am grateful for the many years spent sharing my art with others, inspiring them through my paintings and by teaching both children and adults. I still enjoy teaching, but don't want to commit for months ahead. Instead, I offer workshops to have a more flexible schedule. Trips and family activities have priorities. Luckily, both our children and their families live in the Ottawa region.

Thank you for being part of my creative journey. I appreciate your support, encouragement, and presence — whether in person, online, or quietly following along. I have no wish to quit my artistic journey. I still see the world through my art and capture what inspires me as often as I can. 

In December, I will publish weekly posts with the 2025 Art Advent Calendar. To see the daily post, please check out my Facebook or Instagram pages.

 

From Isolation to Connection: The Power of Collaboration

Gift for a Painting Buddy's birthday,
Robert Murrell, Janis Fulton, Kerstin Peters, 2025

Blog 10



Building Connections in a New Country

When I arrived in Canada, I realized quickly I had to get out of my comfort zone and leave the house to build connections. I could not rely on my husband, who spent most of his days at work or my family and friends in Germany, who were thousands of kilometres away. 

Joining several organizations and getting to know more people was the first step in building connections, but to grow, I needed to collaborate with others. Since I did not shy away from responsibilities, I first became the newsletter editor and the following year the president of the Orleans Newcomers Club. While I already learned a lot about Canadian customs during the hosted club events, I got even closer to the executive members while organizing the club’s activities.

Finding Comfort Through Art

Due to my shyness, collaborating on art-related activities felt less intimidating than other forms of communication, because conversations flowed more naturally while we concentrated on our projects. 


While I had met other artists during the Arteast meetings and events, many of them were already at a different stage of their lives. Nevertheless, I learned much from them, especially from my friend and mentor, Margaret Clyde. 

Canada in Leaf, Canada 150 Arteast project, 
on display at the Nepean Library Centrepointe Branch

Things changed when I met the Painting Buddies through fellow Arteast member Rebecca Dufton. I finally found a group of peers with like-minded interests. Soon after, I joined Hélène Martin and Janis Fulton as the executive of the Galerie de la Rive, where I met even more artists. The exchange of perspectives and the sharing of skills made me feel like my voice was valued. Finally, I felt a sense of belonging in my new country. 

 

Kerstin Peters, Janis Fulton, Hélène Martin

 

New Doors Opening

Stepping in for a friend at Bob MacQuarrie Complex daycare unexpectedly opened the doors to offer courses in German and art at the facility and later at François Dupuis Recreation Centre, where I have been teaching art classes for children since 2011, with the support of my fantastic supervisor, who has always been open to my ideas and suggestions.


Opportunities often came from unexpected places. When my children reached Sunday School age, I began teaching at Resurrection Lutheran Church. I not only got to know the other children, but also their parents. Years later, some of these parents asked me to offer a painting course at the church. 

Growth Through Leadership and Shared Experiences

25 Years Plein Air Ensemble Exhibition, 
vernissage March 26, 2015 with Royal Galipeau

Each step forward opened new doors. Five years after my first painting trip with the Plein Air Ensemble, Hélène and I became the co-coordinators of their spring and fall trips and the group’s successful 25th Anniversary Exhibition. We later stepped down when I began teaching German to Government of Canada employees through Graybridge, but the experience had already enriched my creative and professional path. 

Once I decided to transform my hobby into a career, I joined the Women’s Business Connection in Orleans, where I met many businesswomen and learned from their experiences. Again, I took over a position in the executive and grew closer to some of the members. The monthly meetings motivated and inspired my personal growth and business focus, leading to new collaborations. 

Yoga and Art Retreat with Jackie Leduc (second row left)

After attending a business workshop together, Jackie Leduc and I hosted a successful day retreat combining yoga and painting — a beautiful example of creative synergy.


Not every collaboration worked out as hoped. A successful partnership requires shared goals and values. However, when skills and perspectives complement one another, it is a win for everyone. 

Blending Passions and New Possibilities

 

Learn German Through Art, image from a class with Helena Guzmán

 
The COVID-19 pandemic made collaborations even more crucial. To stand out among instructors, I combined my German and art skills to create my Learn German Through Art program, which uses drawings to anchor new material and make learning more fun and easier. These combined skills led to new opportunities for workshops and demonstrations.

Levanta online magazine, featuring Kerstin Peters

More recently, I have worked with  Helena Guzmán on several projects, including creating workshops, being featured in her online magazine, Levanta, and updating my website. We share a love for art, languages, similar roots and immigration experiences. The joint projects have brought us even closer. We respect each other and support each other’s businesses. The brainstorming and realization of ideas have built trust and mutual appreciation for our work. 

The Joy of Shared Growth

Collaborations transformed my isolation into connection. Each partnership has helped me grow as an artist, teacher, and person. I love learning from each other to grow together. Every time I work with someone, I appreciate their opinions and support. My students, whether adults or children, challenge me to keep learning, exploring, and giving my best to inspire and guide them to discover their creativity.



Collaboration is a catalyst for growth. What small step can you take this week to collaborate with someone and create something new together?

Curiosity to Create a Fulfilled Life

Daily sketches from my travel journal

 

Blog 9

When I came to Canada, I had not thought about what would await me in the new country. I hadn’t even taken the time to read any books about the landscape, the people, traditions and customs of the country I was possibly making my new home. I was a careful planner, and I still cannot believe that I didn’t even quiz Ingo about the country he was taking me to. 

It would be much easier today to get informed, as people can find lots of facts on the Internet, watch documentaries on YouTube, or ask AI bots for a summary of the essential facts about Canada. 


When we came to Canada at the end of April 1995, one problem that made the transition so difficult for me was my lack of curiosity. Curiosity is a powerful mindset when adjusting to a new environment as it opens doors to learning, connection, and resilience. It encourages flexibility and is one of my five core values nowadays.


With a curious approach, you can change your opinion by reframing it and turning something frustrating or unfamiliar into an exciting opportunity. 


To help me make my decision about living in Canada, we drove from Toronto to Vancouver, exploring the landscape. While I enjoyed our trip immensely, it was from the perspective of a tourist. I had only a few thoughts about the life I wanted to live. I was not curious about a new start of an exciting change. Adjusting means facing challenges, and I was not looking to change my life drastically. I was not ready to start over in all areas of my life, especially not without a network of family and friends. However, I didn’t want to lose Ingo.


I was not looking for adventure and was skeptical about trying new things. When we couldn’t find German-style bread with a crunchy crust or sparkling water, I became moody and resentful instead of seeing it as an opportunity to try new things. Once you have eaten some of the many varieties of German bread, you will probably understand my rejection of any typically Canadian soft bread. I should have realized that this was only my outward expression of a feeling of resentment toward the changes I didn’t want. 


Even though I turned to art and bear making, I became depressed because I still didn’t connect with others and spent most of my time alone. My situation improved when I joined clubs and organizations for activities with others aside from Ingo. I joined the Orleans Newscomers Club, church, the Gloucester Crafts Guild, Arteast, the Grizzly Gang, a weekly live drawing group, a gym and Women Moving Forward.


The more time I spent with other women, the more I learned about local customs and traditions and felt encouraged by their stories. With every step, I felt more energized. 

Nevertheless, all these activities were just a bandage for a festering wound. Even though I made time for my activities, I was often still unsatisfied, looking for outside sources of happiness. I still felt like I didn’t fit in, because I didn’t share memories of my life in German with the new people in my life. They knew hardly anything about my traditions and values. 

Only when I changed my mindset, made myself a priority and accepted my life in Canada did I start to feel content. I valued the enrichment of sharing traditions and adding them to our family’s.


When I finally focused on building a happy life here in Canada, I started thriving. Winning an award for my painting, Jessie Forever in My Heart, was what first sparked my curiosity about how far I could take my creative skills and ambitions. I will dive deeper into the following chapters between this event and the changes that followed my unfortunate accident in December 2021 in my October blog about collaborations.


When a double pelvis fracture left me home-bound and dependent on my husband for months, it caused me to re-evaluate my priorities and look at what I still want to achieve in my life. At this point in my life, spending time with loved ones, creating art and seeing the world are high priorities. While I love to share my art, the fulfillment of creating art prevails over the need to sell and my definition of success.


I am satisfied with what I have. That doesn’t mean I don’t have new goals, but I feel grounded and I am ready to keep exploring and being open to new adventures. Fostering a sense of wonder helps me cherish new experiences and brings me joy while limiting my feelings of loss.


Instead of focusing on what’s missing, I focus on what I am creating. New technologies make it easier than ever to stay connected and to share new experiences with others in Germany, Canada and through social media and video calls worldwide.


It doesn’t mean that I don’t miss my parents, sister, and friends in Germany, but I don’t miss them constantly. I have made space and time for new friends and experiences to create happy memories.


My latest adventure was a 12-day trip to Prince Edward Island with my husband of almost 30 years, a belated honeymoon. Here are collages of the paintings I created during our vacation. There is one more at the top of this blog.

Daily sketches from my travel journal

 

 

 

Unfinished plein air watercolour sketches

 

You can read more about my trip in my Kerstin Peters Painting News, which I published this week. Please email me, and I will send you a copy.