What is the best thing that I love about my work?
My work motivates me constantly. As a blogger, I’m looking for new artists every day. This expands my cultural, artistic and personal background. As an artist, every new idea is blood that flows through my veins, lifeblood, a life that is worth living.
What is my idea of happiness?
I believe that happiness comes very close to the concept of love in a broad sense. The more you can live by loving, the more likely you are to be happy. I am referring to love for nature, for your own passions and for humanity in general.
What is my greatest fear?
I’m afraid of losing enthusiasm.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
I’m always in a hurry
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?
I would not say “admire”. I prefer to say “appreciate”. Talking about artists, I really appreciate Antony Gormley, Tomás Saraceno, Sun Yuan and Peng Yu, Mari Katayama, Anish Kapoor, David Černý, Olafur Eliasson, Jenny Saville, Richard Serra, Nan Goldin, Sebastião Salgado. And others.
What is my greatest extravagance?
I have no clue… maybe the habit of travelling alone.
On what occasion would I lie?
To avoid hurting someone I love.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
As a blogger, censorship. As an artist, the lack of collaboration.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
As an artist, during the presentation of my latest exhibition “Stones” (https://barbarapicci.com/2020/03/04/catalogo-mostra-stones/) in Cagliari. As a blogger and writer presentation of my book “Manuale sentimentale per simpatiche canaglie” (https://www.amazon.it/Manuale-sentimentale-simpatiche-canaglie-tragicomico-ebook/dp/B00KJMUHRU/)
If I could, what would I change about myself?
I’d like to be more patient.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
A spontaneous artistic residence project with a group of kids from Rom families who have taught me so much on a human level. The fact that they have accepted me into their community was the greatest success for me.
Where would I most like to live?
I love Sardinia, the island where I live. However, if I could live many lives, I would like to live in other parts of the world. In one of these lives I would certainly live in New York.
What is my most treasured possession?
Family, friends and creativity.
What is my most marked characteristic?
Maybe tenacity. Probably it would be better to ask those who knows me!
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
I am inspired by the path from Terrapieno to the Municipal Gallery, to Cava Gallery and then to Buoncammino, the former prison. There you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city. It has always been a place for meditation for me.
What books influenced my life and how?
Milan Kundera’s books have given me a philosophical conception of life. “The Foundation” by Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick’s stories opened my mind to different worlds and infinite possibilities. Anaïs Nin helped me to become aware of being a woman. Edgar Allan Poe’s stories made me fall in love with the absurd and grotesque. Also, I loved Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein so much.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
Probably John Coltrane.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
The first that comes to my mind is “Zorro”. I’m going to dress up like him at carnival sooner or later. It would be a great way to redeem the tomboy childhood I’ve been deprived of. Among heroines, obviously I like Wonder Woman.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
Heroes only exist in fiction.
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?
There are many… maybe A Clockwork Orange.
What role plays art in my life and work?
It is essential. As a blogger, it is the main and dominant theme in everything I write and post. As an artist, it allows me to express my feelings and materialize my inner images. It is indispensable for me to create an alternative reality that only belongs to me, always and everywhere, helping me to fight the monster of daily routine.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?
They tell a lot about myself. Both in my blogging activity, in which I talk to my readers in a direct and conversational way, sharing my reflections on the world around me, and in my books in which I talk a lot about me, although in an ironic way. As an artist, each work tells a piece of my story.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
My greatest fan is obviously my mother. She is always my greatest promoter. My partner in crime is the Italian artist Matteo Ambu.
What project, in 2020, am I looking forward to work on?
It’s a photography performance project I’m thinking about for a while. The lockdown slowed down my plans but I’m confident I’ll be able to work on it next months.
Where can you see me or my work in 2020?
You can go to my blog where you can find my artistic activity and daily posts on contemporary art. http://www.barbarapicci.com
Here you can find the catalogue of my quarantine. https://barbarapicci.com/2020/05/06/catalogo-sragionato-quarantena/
Amazon ebooks:
https://www.amazon.it/Manuale-sentimentale-simpatiche-canaglie-tragicomico-ebook/dp/B00KJMUHRU/
https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B00AYE8NQK
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
They get very close to my inclination to feed on passions. And if a passion ends up burned, a new one immediately born.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Pietrina Atzori, Paola Corrias , Monica Mura, Liliana Navarra, Jubanna Nur, Silvia Piras, Ivana Salis, Laura Saddi, Maria Sciola.
How can you contact me?
You can contact me through social networks or writing an email at
barbarapicci@gmail.com
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 