Long time followers familiar with my business blog at Nathalie’s Studio, may remember the series “Stroll through the Hood”. For a dozen of years I shared monthly snapshots from my neighborhood walks - each a wellspring of inspiration for my art.
Whether it was a captivating building, a compelling pattern, or intriguing symbols, these strolls fueled my creativity, leading to the creating of stencils, rubber stamps, and foam stamps. I even wrote about this habit in my book “Artful Adventures in Mixed Media”.
One person, who played a pivotal role in installing the habit of observing my surroundings with open eyes was Frau Kalpers, my elementary school teacher in Düsseldorf. I haven’t thought about Frau Kalpers until today, when I started writing about my neighborhood adventures.
Living on the same block, she was my first teacher, and I adored her! She was a character, smoking like a chimney, strict yet loving. We cried like babies when she retired after 3rd Grade …Oh wait, we were babies :) Her anecdotes about neighborhood buildings and history left a lasting impact, fostering my curiosity for hidden stories and details, even in the grittiest of environments.
This year, due to my sabbatical, I haven’t shared as many outings, but the time has come to rekindle the habit. In a world at a crossroad, veering toward the unknown and scary, it feels more imperative than ever not to close our eyes. Instead, let’s open them wider- not only to witness the challenges and reflect on them without turning away but also to see the little, beautiful things around us. Facing the ugly and not losing hope can only work when we take the time to appreciate the beauty that co-exists. In this season of reflection and gratitude, I extend an invitation to you to join me in stopping, acknowledging, and articulating the little moments that stir something profound within us. Let’s carve out moments for solace and inspiration in the midst of uncertainty.