Stefan Kunz

Hand Lettering Artist

Chalk Board Lettering Project

Interview by:

Whitney Mokler

April 14, 2020

W: Historically have you found yourself feeling the most creatively fulfilled by the work you do professionally or outside of that?

S: That is a difficult question to answer actually. Usually whenever I have free time or when I get bored my default has been to start lettering and make something for Instagram. So, I was always looking for an outlet that I could fill. I feel like sticking to what I do and trying to do the best has helped me.

I've never really switched from one or the other just to relax or to fulfill that creativity, that gap. I feel like anything that is an output is a creative fulfillment within what I do professionally, but usually it comes out of doing things on my own that I find joy; be that lettering on a chalk wall or lettering on a special board. Just switching up these things, but still staying within my professional domain. Switching up the tools that I use and not just doing client projects, but whatever feels fun and where I can try something brand new.

W: What types of design or art do you partake in to fuel your need for creative outlet?

S: Again, it goes back to keep doing what I do. I feel like with creativity it's either you do it or you don't. Creativity is all intertwined with what you do every single day. For example, will you solve a problem creatively? Will you work on anything that you do in a creative way? So, I think creativity is just a mindset that you create and act on. I try to be creative and add some touches of creativity when I cook, exercise, or I do anything. I love doing latte art, so coffees also something that helps me to have a routine in that.

stefankunz.com

@stefankunz

W: How do you find your creative drive impacted by times of high stress? Including right now as we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Stefan: I feel like the creative drive actually goes up a lot more. Whenever you have a problem you need to find creative solutions and so in those times usually what should happen is that your creative brain has fully activated. You want to be innovative, you want to come up with new solutions, and so you try a lot of things. I feel like that's just who I am. I am someone who is always looking around and asking what could be improved and how could I do that better? How could I specifically use this season of high stress to really come up with new ideas and solutions? So, at this time, I feel like I have a ton of ideas and things that I want to do or could do. Unfortunately, I just don't have the energy and strength to do all of them. It's always choosing your battles and trying to find the right things to do.

W: What are some tips you have for finding creative inspiration/outlet when in isolation or a high stress environment?

S: It all boils down to not getting stressed over things. I don't actually get stressed easily. Whenever things around me get stressful I will usually calm down and find my rhythm, find my flow, and find my focus, which is very helpful. So my tips would be to focus, see creativity everywhere around you, not to spring up and think of all the other things that you are missing out on, and just to just create. People will always find excuses. I believe that everyone is creative. A lot of people who feel that they're not are just creative with their own excuses. Overcoming your excuses is how you stay creative, still have an outlet to create, and use that time to come up with new ways to be innovative and find new ideas.

W: If you could create any project right now with unlimited time, energy, and resources, what would it be?

I believe that unlimited time, energy, and resources is the worst set up for any creative endeavor since all of these things will allow you to do whatever you want. Of course, you can pursue a passion project that you've always wanted to do. For example, I could write on every single wall in the whole wide world and try to make that more beautiful. Creativity really comes into place when you have restrictions. When you have limited time, limited energy, and limited resources that's where creativity really blossoms. I learned from art school, as well as by myself, you always wanted that, but whenever you do it only stresses you more because you cannot really come up with anything. So, that's what I would recommend.

"Overcoming your excuses is how you stay creative, still have an outlet to create, and use that time to come up with new ways to be innovative and find new ideas."

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