We recently had the chance to connect with MARCELA KOURKOVA and have shared our conversation below.
MARCELA, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first hour and a half I am getting myself together. Let’s see, is my frozen shoulder healing, gosh, I’ve got to fix the leaking toilet, and then in a partially dark room applying an eyeliner. I am wondering about what my mood I’d like to have throughout the day and whether my foot is getting better. Then I do my prayers while driving in the dark. A short walk to my classroom, lights on, and it’s time to get excited about something.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an art educator. After eighteen years of teaching I’ve decided to go through National Board Certification and this December I should know if I’ll receive it. The technical part about writing about art education wasn’t easy as I had to dab into my left brain. I live on intuition, creativity, curiosity, day dreaming, and here I was forced to get organized, write, and make sense. My painting was put on the back burner. I had to do something creative, so I returned back to crocheting. I started with making pumpkins and soon it morphed into free-form crochet.
The texture of yarn and the silent counting relaxed me when I was stressed out. The colors stimulate me creatively and next thing I know I’m making abstract forms stuffed with poly-fil. I have never imagined that I’ll pick up crochet as a medium for my artistic expression.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Many things have shaped me how I see the world. At present time it’s nature and my new journey in crochet. Walking among trees, a hike, gardening, and realizing that there is no need to rush anywhere anymore. Social media is creeping in to my time, but who can resist a good movie? I realized that painful moments in life won’t stop, therefore, I embraced a more reserved way of life, which brings me joy.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When my husband informed me that he want’s a divorce. At sixty? Now? Lovely, I thought. So, I did 180 and now I am living the life I want to live. My colorful crochet objects are completely free-form, I don’t stress my self with mistakes, I want to maximize the fun that I’m having while picking up the color scheme or discovering a new way to stimulate my brain creatively.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Living a calm life and possibly transition to monthly art sale in my neighborhood. My abstract paintings from previous years, most recent paintings of cardinals, and t-shirts with my art. A few crochet pieces and call it a fun Saturday.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Follow politics.
Image Credits
Marcela Kourkova
