What is the best thing that I love about my work?
The creative process behind the image.
I love building visual solutions that best describe what I want to say.
I work on simplification and immediacy of images. I want the idea to be the protagonist of the scene and no decorative element should distract from the meaning I want to give it.
It’s important to me that the images I create elicit a thought,
a reflection, highlighting the idea that generated it.
What is my idea of happiness?
Seeing and sharing moments with the people I love.
What is my greatest fear?
To lose my way.
… But sometimes spiders terrify me more than anything.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
Procrastination.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
There are many personalities in the world of art and music that inspire me, one of my favorites who unfortunately left us some days ago, was Milton Glaser.
Currently, I am looking at the work of Gehard Demetz, Willy Verginer, Lorenzo Mattotti.
What is my greatest extravagance?
Sometime the song I sing isn’t just in my mind.
On what occasion would I lie?
I don’t lie. I can’t lie. You can literally read the whole truth on my face. Sometimes I fault of omission.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
Self-promotion and debt collection.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
Whenever someone has told me that my drawing represents them.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
My sensitivity.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
To be selected at the Bologna children’s illustration fair exhibition.
Where would I most like to live?
Exactly where I am. Maybe I would like a house with a terrace and a room for aerial training, that will be amazing.
What is my most treasured possession?
My sensitivity.
What is my most marked characteristic?
I have been told that I’m very expressive when I speak.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
Via Lincoln in Milan also named “Rainbow District”
for the particularity of its colourful houses.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?
Cicinin della Ripa – it’s like home.
What books influenced my life and how?
Stoner by J.E Williams
It made me realize that every life has an interesting story to tell, if you know how to tell it.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
Such a difficult question! I listen to a lot of music and I’d need much more time to answer,
but I can put together a play list called “my last day on earth” and send it to you!
For sure Eddie Vedder would be part of it – to leave this world with a voice that has already been with me for a long time.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
Beatrix kiddo, Kill Bill.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
Who can rise after a fall.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
The eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, Michel Gondry
What role plays art in my life and work?
The main role. It takes dedication and a lot of research to open the mind and remain curious about the world.
There are no breaks, but how free does it make you feel?
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred. No animals were harmed in the making of this work.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
My Sisters
Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2020?
This is a wish list? ok, I’d like to do work for Penguin Random House. Illustrate some articles for the New York Times.
By the way, I would like to improve my work with a commission that can bring an interesting challenge to take me out of my comfort zone.
Which people in my profession who can make a real difference in my creative career would i love to meet in 2020?
Everyone who finds my work interesting and chooses me or anyone who can give me an opportunity… and pay for it.
What project, in 2020, am I looking forward to work on?
A book written and illustrated by me, I still have to finish it.
Where can you see me or my work in 2020?
The hope is to find it in every library or magazine.
To start with, you can find it here:
website: www.sarastefanini.com
and here: instagram: @sarinastefanini and @controverso.dizionario
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
When I’m drawing I understand. When I draw I’m always hungry, hungry to know and to search. This hunger turns into a boost in doing.
This push is a necessity. How can you not follow something that is necessary for yourself? That’s why “Passion Never Retires”.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Chiara Dattola ( Artist / Illustrator)
Daniela Tieni ( Artist / Illustrator)
Anna Mercurio ( Art director and basic designer professor at Quasar design institute)
Eleonora Antonioni (Comics artist)
Alessandra de Cristoforo ( Artist / Illustrator)
How can you contact me?
email: stefanini.sara@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 