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.

Creativity as the Key to Mastering Life

Dreams in Magenta (Hollyhocks), watercolour, watercolour pencils and white ink, 7.5" x 5.78

 

Blog 8

When I came to Canada, I thought my language skills as a foreign language correspondent had prepared me to converse easily in Canada. After all, I was able to translate conversations in English and Spanish sequentially, but it had all been in a classroom setting.

Once in Canada, I felt absolutely overwhelmed. I worried people thought I was uneducated when I stumbled along looking for words. Being a shy perfectionist, I always wanted my husband, Ingo, to be my personal translator. I am glad he refused, because otherwise I would have stayed dependent on him.

It wasn't a surprise that I felt isolated and homesick. As I was only a tourist without a work or residence permit, all my job applications were unsuccessful. However, Ingo found a permanent position in his field in Ottawa three months after we arrived in Canada. As a result, I spent most of my days alone with too much time to ponder my destiny.

I had always lived close to my family and friends. The only time I had moved away was for a six-month internship in southern Germany when I was just 20 years old. The distance was nothing for Canadian standards, about a two-hour drive.

During most of the internship, I felt homesick, spending a lot of time alone in my little apartment. If you have ever heard different German dialects, you will understand my difficulties in understanding the factory workers who spoke a strong Swabian accent. I didn't understand a single word. The workers were not interested in including me. They probably saw in me a spoiled young woman bridging the time before university, without any clues about hard work.

My situation improved drastically when I joined the young designers who spoke High German. I loved working with them, trying out new patterns and wool for the following year's fall collection. It was exciting to peek behind the scenes of the fashion world. The two designers were super friendly and included me in their tasks. I learned a lot about the process from idea to the final packaged wool balls and preparing designs for the new magazines. They also took me to the noisy and smelly factory. There was no hint of glamour, and I couldn't believe how people could work in these circumstances, so maybe I was a clueless and spoiled after all.

I was allowed to create a sample batch of wool. While my use of mohair and bast looked beautiful, it didn't feel as I had hoped. Even worse was the fact that the bast ripped frequently when spinning the two fibres together. Nevertheless, it was enough to knit a long, sleeveless sweater that I still wear every winter.

As I received the employees' discount in the factory wool store, I knitted one sweater after another; so many that I had to stop knitting after a few years because my closet was overflowing. I still have some wool in my studio from the internship. Maybe it's time to pack out the knitting needles again to create a sweater for my family. :)

Nevertheless, the internship and my submitted art projects didn't suffice to get me one of the rare places to study fashion design. Instead, my parents enrolled me in a language school to obtain a degree as a foreign language correspondent in English and Spanish. If I had known that I would move to Canada ten years later, I would have extended my studies to become a state-certified translator. I also would have chosen the combination of English and French, which would have opened many more doors when I looked for employment.

After graduating from language school, I started work as a foreign secretary at an American leasing company. In a few years, I moved up to head of the administration department with the power of attorney.

Teddy with Vase and Apple, oil, 36" x 24", 1988

 

Initially, I still had lots of leisure time and took correspondence art courses in a variety of mediums. Then I took oil painting classes with well-known German artist Inge Besgen. She believed in painting big and was strictly against painting from photos. After a study in blue, I painted a still life with a teddy bear, a vase, and an apple on a blanket in black and white (see above). The next task was an abstract painting with complementary colours, followed by a colour painting of the teddy bear still life. The paintings are about 36" x 24".

It felt exotic and exciting to know a famous artist and paint in her house, filled with enormous canvases and other art materials. I left my still life setup in her study and returned to my painting each week. I loved the creative atmosphere in her house and the company of the other students who all worked on their unique creations.

Unfortunately, once I started my correspondence studies in economics, I had no more time for art classes. After the written exams, I became interested in hand-sewing plush teddy bears. I took a couple of courses, and I was mesmerized. At the beginning of my time in Canada, I was at the height of teddy bear production. I created my own patterns and was happy to find fake furs and joints in art and craft stores. This hobby kept me busy for the first couple of years in Canada. I even joined the Grizzly Gang, an Ottawa teddy bear lovers' club.

 

Wedding Couple, 1995/1996 (centrepiece for our wedding) - The bow tie is from one of my grandfather's old ties.

 

During our initial trips to Vancouver and Muskoka, I had created some sketches. Realizing I didn't have a chance to work before receiving my permanent residence status, I attended oil painting courses at the Ottawa School of Arts. Although I didn't understand everything the teacher said, I understood enough to follow her instructions and regained confidence in my painting abilities through her positive feedback. I needed the encouragement because my rusty skills left me extremely discouraged and made me doubt my talent and creativity.

 

Fall Still Life, 1996

Soon, my art became my retreat. I didn't have to worry about my limited ability to express myself fluently in English. It was the same playing field for all, and I finally found like-minded people who shared my passion for art. Talking about our art and painting together created stronger bonds than just a common language did. I used my creativity to bridge understanding and build connections in my new environment.

Dancing Trees, acrylic, 30" x 24"

No matter my life situations, my art has served as a safe place to be present and forget everything around me. It has helped me through many personal struggles over the past 30 years. The most challenging was the time after my fall in December 2021, which confined me to a bed and wheelchair for weeks and left me house-bound for almost half a year. My creative projects helped me during the year-long recovery, and still provide a retreat when I am frustrated about my physical health, like the painful and movement-restricting osteoarthritis flare-ups in my hips, possibly related to my pelvis fractures.

 

Alex, wool, 14" x 10"

I have been creative my whole life, using various mediums at different times to help me express my creativity. Art has given me much joy and lifted my spirits when life was tough. It created a bridge to build lasting connections. Therefore, I want to share my art and encourage others to explore their creative voice. It will enrich their lives by giving them a means to celebrate life's beauty and helping them through challenges.

Sunny Kamouraska, acrylic, 11" x 14"

If you have fallen in love with one of my artworks and would like to bring it home to enjoy every day, please email me directly. To learn more about my upcoming workshops and courses, please visit my website for more information.

Strength and Fun in Community

Blog 7


While I lived in Germany, I had a close-knit circle of family and friends. After I moved to Canada, I was very lonely and depended only on my husband, which was a huge responsibility for him and led to a strain on our relationship.


I knew I had to find a new community to feel at home in this new environment. However, I used to be very shy, and making new friends and building connections was quite challenging for me. However, I have always been myself among my circle of friends who accepted the authentic me.


Joining the Orleans Newcomers Club, Arteast and Women Moving Forward offered me opportunities to mingle with others. In a Sunday morning life drawing group, I made more acquaintances, but I still missed having deeper relationships. My situation changed when I met artist Rebecca Dufton at an Arteast vernissage. We both loved dogs and bonded immediately. When we found out we lived only minutes apart, she invited me to join her group of outdoor painters. 

They had already met as a group for some time, but welcomed me warmly. Soon, I joined the Plein Air Ensemble for my first painting trip. Once I joined Helene Martin and Janis Fulton as the executive of the Galerie Belle Rive, I met even more artists. Soon, I also joined a painting group that went to Kamouraska in Quebec for a week each year. I finally had a life outside of my family and enjoyed the growing friendships with people who shared my interests and offered a support system.



Through my art, I connected not only with other artists but also with collectors and students, many of whom have become friends over the years. Art has enriched my life so vastly that I want to share the joy. My mission is to create communities of artists and students who inspire, support, and encourage each other. 


I also found a community in my local church, which I had never experienced before. In Germany, not many people attend church regularly aside from Christmas. There were no coffee hours or events outside of the church after the service. I never connected with any members, but those I already knew from the neighbourhood.

Drawing from my 2023 Summer Creativity Activities

These days, I feel blessed. I still have a solid group of friends in Germany and also in Canada. Most are artist friends, but I also have friends from church and the playgroups I went to. I am thankful that my work has helped me to be more open to approaching others. I enjoy building new friendships, especially as our children are adults and live their own lives. Friendships are essential to grow old surrounded by a network of like-minded people. Therefore, I welcome new friends into my life, like the members of a book club in my neighbourhood.

Someone asked me once why I needed friends. I cannot imagine life without them. I found my community of friends in Canada. If I were to leave now, I would miss my Canadian friends as much as I miss my German friends when I am in Canada. However, our bonds are strong. Technology has made it much easier to stay connected through email, texting, and video calls. No more waiting for snail mail that was already outdated when it arrived!


Thank you for being part of my community!

The Need for Human Connection

Image from my German course book 

Blog 6


Over the next five months, I will reflect on my decision to remain in Canada, considering my five core values. In this blog, I write about my hunger for CONNECTION.

While I lived in Germany, I had a close-knit circle of family and friends, most of them I could reach in 30 minutes or less. I could bike or drive to my parents in about 10 minutes. I regularly met with friends to go to the movies, have dinner, attend dance courses, and visit the gym. It was indeed the couple I went to the gym with who introduced me to my husband.

I had a close relationship with my colleagues and fellow students from my correspondence courses at university, and I often saw many of them outside of work.

When I arrived in Canada in April 1995, I hardly knew my fiance’s German family. His few friends from university lived at least 100 km away. Needless to say, there was a big void of human connection.

When Ingo took a part-time job with a family friend, I felt even more trapped. I wasn’t bored because I spent the time creating teddy bears and writing to my friends, but I have never been the adventurous type, and with little money and no connections, I didn’t venture out on my own. I was intimidated by the size of everything. Remember, I came from a small town.

We visited a couple of fitness centres, but many of them had separate sections for women and men, something we were not accustomed to and didn’t want. We tried a dance school because I had made many friends during my time at a German dance school. There were dance parties every Sunday and after our classes. However, the venues we visited around Mississauga left us disheartened because we only saw middle-aged people sitting at tables with food rather than a disco-like atmosphere.

After we moved to Ottawa in August 1995, where Ingo found full-time employment, I felt even lonelier and very homesick. To meet others, I registered with the Ottawa School of Art as soon as we moved to our new home in Orleans. I was very shy and never connected with the other participants. However, I was excited about the instructor’s encouragement over my slowly re-emerging painting skills, which I had neglected for a couple of years. My rekindled interest in art became my happy place.

Once settled in Orleans, we adopted a dog and joined the Orleans Newcomers Club. I met many pleasant people through the club activities, but most of the members were already a step ahead of us with kids and added responsibilities.

I also met some Germans but realized that a shared language alone was not a sufficient basis for a friendship. Additionally, Ottawa is a significant centre for the Canadian Army, which explains why many military couples focus on their families and not on connecting with people outside of their homes. I made a good friend, only to discover a year into our friendship that they would move away. I never heard from her again.

Once we had our first child, I connected with more women in our neighbourhood and several playgroups. Unfortunately, many of them went back to work after a year. However, one of my best friends is still from playgroup times, even though our friendship only grew once our kids were already in high school after we had lost sight of each other for some time. During the years with small children, the children were the focus.

some of the many portraits I created of loved ones and quick encounters

Joining Arteast in 1999 and attending art classes helped me meet new creative people. At this point, I felt more comfortable with the language and enjoyed the activities of the organization and the local art school. I found a wonderful mentor and mother figure, Margaret Clyde, who introduced me to the Blackburn Hamlet painting group and showed me how to frame my art. She also sold my first piece, a painting of white peonies, to her neighbour.


I also got a lot of encouragement and inspiration from the women I met at Women Moving Forward, an organization created by Pierrette Raymond to provide a supportive community of growth and inspiration. My first retreat with them opened my eyes to more fulfillment when I heard the stories of the many amazing women in the group. Suddenly, I saw possibilities for myself to define myself outside of my responsibilities as a wife and mother. 

Please check my July 25 post to learn how I finally found my community

From Small-Town to Super-sized World

Train ride along the Rhein River with lots of castles and vineyards

Blog 5


As an instructor, I love sharing my experiences while learning about my students' stories. By comparing certain aspects of life in Germany and Canada, I will tell you more about my background and transformation.


When I arrived in Canada, everything was new, exciting and scary at the same time. For most of my life, I had lived close to my family and friends. The furthest distance was during my six-month internship at a yarn company in southern Germany. It was less than a 3-hour drive from there to my parents' home.


Moving 6,000 km away to a metropolis like Toronto was inconceivable. I hardly knew anything about Canada. Until then, the only time I left Europe was for a summer vacation to the Asian part of Turkey. I was used to a small town of about 10,00 people. In comparison, Frankfurt, where I worked, seemed enormous, even with a population of only about 600,000 in the early 1990s.


Aside from the big cities, much of Canada is rural or wilderness, so travel between inhabited areas is often long. It's not surprising that Germans and Canadians have different perceptions of distances. While many Canadians view a 2-hour drive as a short trip, many Germans may even question such a trip for a weekend.


Arriving in Toronto, I experienced a culture shock. Everything was super-sized: giant homes, huge cars, wide roads, massive parking lots and shopping centres. Getting to the next bus stop required a long walk. Anywhere outside of the centre of town, you still need a car. 

from my sketchbook

I love the space Canada offers. In Germany, the small streets with on-street parking annoy me. The traffic volume is so bad that I prefer public transportation during my visits. It makes traveling less stressful, and I get endless opportunities to sketch. 

 

from my sketchbook

When I visit Germany these days, I still enjoy that everything is close. You can usually walk to a couple of grocery stores, bakeries and a multitude of boutique stores.


Many Germans frequently complain about the reliability of public transportation, but it takes you almost everywhere. As Germany is less than half the size of Ontario, it becomes clear why public transit is more available in Germany. With over five times the population of Ontario, the density in cities makes public transportation more manageable.


The densely populated German country also means that most people don't own a house. Roughly half the population rents their living space, especially in the cities. Many people move to the suburbs because they cannot afford the rental fees in the large cities. It is a struggle to afford a house in Germany without a second full-time income. Plus, most people stay in their homes until they are too old to live independently or die. Therefore, many children take over their parental home. This situation is slowly changing as employment decisions have forced more people to move.


In Canada, people aim to buy a house or apartment. For many, renting is a transitional phase. When I came to Canada, I could hardly believe that people moved, on average, every seven years. However, these days, the dream of owning a house is almost unattainable for many young people due to housing shortages and the high cost of living.


I feel happy in our neighbourhood. Our family could not have afforded a house with a large yard in Germany. It was the perfect place for our children to grow up. Plus, I love my spacious art studio.

 

I like that we live close to the Ottawa River and many green spaces. However, I miss the many paths through residential neighbourhoods, through fields and woods that link towns and make Germany very bike-friendly.

During the next five months, I will reflect on my decision to stay in Canada relating to my five core values:

• Creativity
• Community
• Connection
• Collaboration
• Curiosity