“I wish I had started cultivating my skills in watercolours years ago. I always had the desire but was putting it off. So, if you feel like there is something you want to try, go for it, because it can turn into something that you really love.”
While comics and memes, commonly indulge in breaking the fourth wall, other forms of art tend to retain it. Any artist on Instagram frequently receives questions about their journey- Who they are, how they got there and what keeps them going? To answer these exact questions and break this wall for other artists, I connected with an Instagram artist- @vera_paper to know more about her journey.
To my astonishment, not only did her answers prove that social media isolates us from the depth of an artist’s creative journey but, I also came to another realisation. While reading the responses, I realised that familiarising people with such journeys can also be a major source of inspiration for them. By putting across the journey of such individuals, it helps viewers gain motivation and confidence instead of getting lost in a pretence of endless perfection.
Here is my conversation with the Vera, a watercolour and ceramics artist from Berlin, who has changed her career to follow her true passion. Now, with more than four thousand followers on Instagram, she continues to work hard in order to become the best version of herself. Her journey inspires others to follow their hearts and do what makes them happy, the ultimate path to success.
Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Vera, I am born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. For the past five years, I have worked as a fashion designer in both New York and Los Angeles. I moved to Berlin a year ago, and with this move, I have decided to take a break from the fashion industry and to pursue something new with my watercolours.
Is your environment conducive to your art? Do you ever find yourself using art as an escape?
My environment definitely dictates my art and how creative I feel. I crave open airy spaces with large windows and a large clean desk. I know the environment I work best in, and so I gravitate towards those spaces the most. Right now, my studio is a perfect situation for me, which I think is why I have been able to be so successful in my pieces lately. I feel a real growth in it.
Even though I know many people use art as an escape, I don’t really have that relationship with it. I learned how to draw in a college setting, so I feel I have a more structural approach to it. I consider myself more of a designer than an artist. Once I sit down and paint and get into the zone, it becomes nice & relaxing, but I find there is a build-up to it, and I don’t always get there.
What attracts you to watercolours and ceramics and why are they your mediums of choice?
I like watercolours because you are in control, for the most part, you can layer, you can easily fix problems. They can be super pigmented or delicate. I’ve tried other mediums, like acrylic, but I just didn’t feel creative when using it.
Ceramics is something I do to help my creativity grow – I guess you can call ceramics my escape. I’ve been learning ceramics for the past ten years, that doesn’t mean I’m any good, it’s just something that I started and never stopped. I love that you have to get your hands dirty, and it’s really just you and a ball of clay.
When did you decide to put your work on Instagram?
September 25th, 2018. I remember the day so well because I was so scared! I had no idea what I was doing, but I was feeling very low and knew I needed to make a change. I had just moved to Berlin and had no idea what I was doing here.
So, I started the Instagram account as a way to hold myself accountable to watercolour every day and to create something – I didn’t know what but just to see where it would take me.
After looking at your posts, I can tell that nature is a huge inspiration for you. Do you remember the first moment where nature inspired you to create?
I’ve always loved flowers – what’s not to like, they are delicate, colourful, beautiful little things. In Los Angeles I would go to the flower marts often and arrange flowers for events we would have, or make my own bouquets just because. I then started finding botanical prints at flea markets, I didn’t even consider painting them myself at the time. Once I moved to Berlin and found the time to cultivate my skills in watercolours I started with botanical illustrations because it was what I always loved.
It is very hard for me to paint things that I don’t find interesting, I have to be drawn to it for me to put any effort into it. And I think when you are first learning a skill that is ok to do that because you want to see progress in what you make. So, make things you think are pretty first then move on to things that challenge your creativity.
Do you still have any of your first few pieces of art that you remember being proud of? Can you share them with us?
I made my sisters save the dates card for her wedding 5 years ago. 50 unique cards! Haha, now that I look at them, they are crazy looking – but we thought they were cute and unique.
What do you do to improve your technique or grow as an artist?
Practice, practice, practice! Never stop practising.
Do you ever feel a sense of competition due to social media and the plethora of art available on the platform?
I set high expectations for myself, and so most of my feelings of ‘fight’ come from within – to improve quickly, make more work, or to post more. Yes, of course, I see other people posting more, or getting lots of attention, and everyone has competitive feelings – but I know that their growth makes zero difference on mine. It is important to keep your vision clear. I believe that your individual point of view will make you stand out. I try to focus on myself, focus on my past experiences and new ones, and try to put that into my work to help me stand out.
Stay focused on yourself when you are trying to create your own style.
Is there any artist on social media that you admire?
I am part of a private group of women on Instagram that supports each other. It’s kind of an open forum to ask for advice, and I really admire all of them. Many of them are mothers and have larger families, but still find the time to post often. It’s very inspiring watching them grow something. Some of them stay up till 4 am painting! It’s insane and inspiring to me how devoted they are. Also, even though we are all kind of doing the same thing we help each other out, I love that community feeling, and to me that’s admirable.
I think there are a lot of artists doing well on social media, I don’t know any of them personally, so even if their follower count is over 75k, they have books being released, and workshops, admiration is not really a word I would associate with them. My admiration is not in follower counts but in what people do for their communities, creating positive experiences, and being kind.
I love that you’re an avid traveller. How do you find inspiration from your travels?
Thank you! I just spent two weeks in Tanzania on safari, and it was a life-changing trip for me. I think every time you travel it changes your life a little and the way you view the world – how small you are and how big and beautiful the world is. It opens your eyes up to different cultures, foods, and lifestyles that challenge your view on things. Also, you don’t need to go far, when I was living in Los Angeles, my favourite spot to visit was Joshua Tree Park, which was only a few hours away by car.
Do you usually create on your trips?
I always take my papers, watercolours, and brushes when I travel. I try to paint while I travel, I do struggle with it. But it’s something I am working on.
Lastly, if you had to use a completely different medium what would it be and why?
I would love to create my own pigments from plants that I forage myself, this is a goal that I would love to achieve!
