What is the best thing that I love about my work?
I studied painting and I am a visual artist, so surely what I love most about my work is the freedom to express everything I want through the shapes and materials I prefer. This total operational freedom that continuously stimulates me to new research and solutions is an inexhaustible source that leads me to continue to create and invest all my time in my work. Working, I feel free to be myself and it is a formidable feeling.
What is my idea of happiness?
My idea of happiness is based on very, very simple aspects related to small daily habits that generate joy. A coffee with a friend, a walk by the sea, reading a poem, watching the sun set. It doesn’t take much to make me happy, even if maybe everything I have listed is not so little…
What is my greatest fear?
My greatest fear is certainly linked to death, detachment and loss, especially of the people I love. For everything else I know that there is always a remedy or something I can do. The detachment from life frightens me and it is perhaps to exorcise this fear that I create my artworks, to get closer to something that is eternal.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
I’m terribly touchy. When I don’t feel understood or judged, I feel hurt. I’d like to try to be lighter and I’m working on it hoping to improve.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
There are many visual artists I admire. In general I admire the talented and courageous young people who manage to break the mould and bring something innovative to the field of contemporary art.
What is my greatest extravagance?
I don’t think I’m an extravagant person, in fact I think I’m a fairly simple and habitual person, but if I relate to the lifestyle of the people in the small town where I live, maybe dealing with art is in itself a great extravagance or at least it is in the eyes of others.
On what occasion would I lie?
If I have one quality, it is undoubtedly that of being sincere: I am brutally sincere. But there are occasions in which lying is necessary: when lying cannot cause damage but rather serves to safeguard the serenity of myself and those in front of me, then only in that case could I lie and risk being immediately discovered. I think I am not good to saying things that are not real.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
The economic uncertainty and the moments of emptiness are the aspects related to my work that I like least. There are times when I find myself full of commitments, sales and interesting contacts to deepen and then others of total calm. I think it is normal for an artist to have ups and downs and this is also an aspect to accept and live with balance.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
To date, the happiest moment related to my work that I remember experiencing is the exhibition I attended in 2018 at the MC gallery in New York. It was an immense emotion, the most exciting and eventful vernissage of my life in a fantastic city. I very much hope to experience more moments like that.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
Certainly some corners of my character, but only those that make me feel bad, all the others I hold on to.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
My biggest goal is simply to continue my artistic research in my studio for my whole life and to be able to collaborate with galleries and exhibition spaces all over the world. To be able to dedicate all my time and energy to the thing I love the most is the most important goal.
Where would I most like to live?
My dream is to live in two different places: in spring and summer I would like to continue living in my country where I currently live, a small village on the Tuscan sea. In the winter period instead I dream of living in a big metropolis like New York, Paris or Berlin. In this way I could have everything I need: contact with nature and the cultural stimuli of big cities.
What is my most treasured possession?
I’m sure they’re the people I care about.
What is my most marked characteristic?
The stubbornness, the determination. Everything I’ve achieved so far, I’ve achieved because of that.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
In my country there are several places where I can find the right inspiration, there is not one in particular but all these places are near the sea: beaches, rocks and paths overlooking the sea.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
There are several good places to eat and drink in my country but what I absolutely prefer is to bring me something quick to drink and eat during my walks by the sea or sitting on a rock looking at the sea.
What books influenced my life and how?
There are many books that have influenced me in some way and I hope there will be as many in my life. When I think of childhood I remember “The Old Man and the Sea” of Hemingway from which I was completely kidnapped. If I think of my years as a student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, instead, I am reminded of “the daily practice of painting ” of Gerard Richter’s. Among the books I have read recently, the Goethe’s metamorphosis of plants has been of great inspiration.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
I love listening to music of all kinds, but on my last day no music, no words, just the sounds of nature: the waves of the sea and the birdsong. This is the best music.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
In real life are heroes for me all the people who had the courage to believe in their dreams, those who never gave up even in the face of so many difficulties, those who with so much work and sacrifice managed to build the life they wanted by listening to their inner voice without giving in to comfort and commonplace. Those who know what they want and do everything to achieve it.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
A film that many hated, others loved and others didn’t even understand: Cloud Atlas.
What role plays art in my life and work?
My whole life revolves around art. I don’t think I could live without it. As a user, I can’t imagine a life without seeing exhibitions, discovering artists, reading poetry. As an artist I could not breathe without being able to imagine, design, create art. Art is my fuel, it’s vital energy, it’s my only purpose.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?
I firmly believe in that statement. Each of us can build our lives as we wish. It is not simple but it is possible and it is necessary. The world needs happy people, and the happy people are the ones who have their lives in their hands according to their wishes.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
Fortunately, I have had many people in my life who have believed in me and have been fundamental. Sometimes it’s hard to follow your path if you don’t have anyone who believes in you even if you do the journey alone. I don’t think I can name one big fan, there are several and each one has its own importance like my family, my friends, some colleagues and art professionals.
What project, in 2020, am I looking forward to work on?
I am currently working for a series of exhibitions and residencies carrying on my research focused on the dialogue between nature and existential experience. Specifically, I am making two very large installations that I hope to finish soon.
Where can you see me or my work in 2020?
It’s going to be a very busy and exciting summer for me, I have a solo show in a beautiful historical building in Bolsena (VT) Italy, a group show in Greece with the ArtNumber 23 gallery and another one in September in Naples at Castel dell’Ovo. In addition, I am planning two artistic residencies in naturalistic places: one in Andalusia and another in a naturalistic park in Liguria.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
This sentence is really very important to me. It means having the knowledge that I can do what I love until the last of my days.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Ylenia Granitto, Medina Zabo, Kaitlin mcdonough
How can you contact me?
instagram: sama_art_studio
facebook: samantha passaniti
Here follows a message of Peter de Kuster, founder of The Heroine’s Journey
Are you a creative leader or creative professional looking to develop your business skills and storytelling?
Amidst today’s uncertainty, it is more important than ever to reconnect with yourself and others, develop your creative business, and build your story. Dive deep into your unique business style and areas for growth with the coaching of Peter de Kuster.
IS THE HEROINE’S JOURNEY COACHING FOR YOU?
You are a creative leader or creative professional who is interested in developing yourself, your business, and your story.
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You are aware that there are no quick fixes. Learning is a journey that works when you are fully committed to it. Coaching can bring awareness and help you navigate, but in the end it’s you who is in charge of your growth.
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You want to learn more about how to resource yourself, learn about blind spots, and get feedback.
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You are curious and want to engage in online learning.
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You are motivated to work in-between sessions on yourself (e.g. working on homework assignments that will help you develop new storytelling, skills, and behaviors).
WHAT’S YOUR COACHING QUESTION?
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is all about your development. To make the most out of your sessions, we ask you to prepare topics to work on with Peter. These topics can serve as a starting point for further in-depth exploration with Peter.
These coaching topics typically resonate with the creative leaders Peter works with:
How can i tell the most powerful story possible about myself and my creative business?
How can I handle self promotion and marketing of my creative business better?
How do can I stay authentic and with focus when having difficult conversations with potential clients?
What are my creative values and how do I align these with my business values?
How can I manage my time and energy better?
How can I radiate confidence to my clients while feeling anxious inside?
How can I steer myself towards creative excellence without becoming rigid?
About Peter de Kuster
Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey & Hero’s Journey project, a storytelling firm which helps creative professionals to create careers and lives based on whatever story is most integral to their lives and careers (values, traits, skills and experiences). Peter’s approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, and for over 20 years clients have found it effective with a wide range of creative business issues.
Peter is writer of the series The Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey books, he has an MBA in Marketing, MBA in Financial Economics and graduated at university in Sociology and Communication Sciences.
PRICING
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching online sessions last 50 minutes and the fee is Euro 189 excluding VAT per session. The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is suitable for people at any stage in their career.
FAQ
Who can sign up for The Heroine’s Journey online coaching?
Creative leaders and creative professionals who wish to improve their business story and develop their business skills and mindset.
Should I choose 1:1 coaching?
Our The Heroine’s Journey experiences in world cities allow you to learn not only from the coach but also from your peers. For the small group coaching (1 – 4 people), we have selected important, relevant topics that we find regularly come up for creative professional: purpose, storytelling, creative confidence, self promotion, time & money and resilience.
If you would prefer to work alone or on a different topic, individual coaching is a better fit for you.
What language do we speak in the coaching sessions?
English.
Can I buy coaching for my organization?
Yes, you can! We support many organizations around the world with their coaching needs. Please contact us for more information.
Can I bring my own topics?
Yes, for individual coaching you get to choose your own topic.
Are coaching sessions confidential?
Yes. Peter will not share anything that is discussed in the coaching sessions.
Where will the coaching sessions take place?
Sessions will take place online (as per the times we live in) via an online tool like Zoom or Skype. Peter will let you know.
How do I sign up?
Send Peter a mail to theherojourneyquestionnaires@gmail.com to start booking your coaching sessions.
How do I pay?
After you send the mail, you will receive an email with a link to pay.
How do I book and reschedule sessions?
Once we’ve received your payment, Peter will contact you and book your coaching sessions. He will also support you with rescheduling sessions if needed.
What is your cancellation policy?
Individual coaching sessions can be postponed up to one week before the session.
The Heroine's Journey 