KunstbyStephie: art that connects and inspires

Welcome to Postery! How are you?

Hey there! I'm great thanks :)

Tell us about yourself and how you got started with art.

I've always loved creating from a young age. I moved around quite a bit after high school and the one thing I found that really brought a new empty home to life was wall art. I didn't really know where to find original and affordable pieces, so I created my own! After I finally settled into my current home in Berlin (and a bit of persuasion from loved ones), I decided to open my own shop KunstbyStephie to share my art with the world.

What are your main sources of inspiration?

My biggest hobbies that aren't drawing are travelling, typography/poetry and discovering new cuisines and drinks — so these play a huge role in my art.

Who are your biggest artistic influences?

David Shrigley — I was living in London the year his Thumbs Up statue was in Trafalgar Square and I fell in love. He really made me see that art doesn't have to be so intense — it can also be a source of humour and whimsy.

How has your artistic style evolved over the years?

My artistic journey really began with poetry; I often find I can't seem to get the words out of my head into sentences but this comes out quite naturally on paper. So a lot of my earlier work was just words. Now, I'm experimenting more with graphics which are mostly inspired by my travels, but I still incorporate my love of words with typography.

How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?

As most of my art is directly inspired from what's happening in my current environment, my work and life are quite drastically intertwined. I am always thinking about the next creative idea and have lists and lists in my phone (I should probably organise at some point) of snippets of ideas I thought of throughout the day. I'm trying to balance the work a bit more now by setting aside a specific time to create and bring these ideas to life and clocking off afterwards.

Do you have a ritual or routine before you start creating?

Creating for me is quite a therapeutic exercise and I want to completely zone out whilst doing it. I usually brew a pot of coffee, put on some music (probably R&B) and light a candle — setting up a calming environment allows me to fully enjoy the process.

Describe how art is important to society.

Art, to me, is human connection and emotion; it transcends language, highlights culture and offers a sense of belonging. It can bring people together by creating a sense of emotion, something every human on this earth has the ability to tap into. I find this so beautiful — we always need more reasons to connect with each other and art gives us that.

Where do you live/reside? Does your residential place have an impact on your art?

When I'm not travelling I currently reside in Berlin, Germany. The city is so incredibly international which has a huge impact on my art. In this city, I'm always learning and discovering new foods, sayings and ways of living from dozens of cultures by just stepping out of my door, which I find extremely inspiring.

When is your favourite time of day to create?

I've always wanted to be a morning person, but sadly my circadian rhythm won't allow for that. I find myself being the most creative in the still hours of the night — like proper middle of the night when most of the world is asleep and I'm restless with a need for a creative outlet.

What's one piece of advice you would give to aspiring artists?

Be authentic to yourself; it's the one thing you have to offer the world which nobody else can give. Also, put yourself out there, even if you're a terrified shaking mess.

How do you stay connected to your audience while keeping your art personal?

Most of my art comes from a very personal place. I take inspiration from what's happening in my life in that very moment, whether that be the discovery of a cuisine from the country I am travelling in or the feelings I can't shake (like love, heartbreak or anxiety). These are all topics that, whether happy or sad, resonate with quite a massive audience. As a result, I get a lot of customers who write in telling me about their stories of how my work hit them, whether it's from words that struck a chord or a dish from their hometown which was featured — this really is the best part of sharing my work!

What do you like doing when you are not creating?

I love to travel, discover new restaurants, go to the woods, art galleries and the cinema — anything that allows me to explore, learn and feel passion. I also spend a weird amount of time in botanical gardens; there's just something about them that feels magical.

Would you say you are an introvert or an extrovert?

Definitely an extroverted introvert — I'm an extremely social person, but at the end of the day the only thing I can do to recharge and feel myself is spend a decent amount of time completely on my own.

What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?

Finding the time! I have a million and one ideas which are difficult to bring to life when you only have 24 hours in a day.

How do you want your art to impact the world?

I want to evoke some sense of connection or belonging through my work, even if that manifests itself as a smile or giggle from the viewer.

Thank you Stephie!