Start / Windowsill Chats / Heirloom artwork to inspire creativity brittany desantis on grief calligraphy and the power of journaling part 1

Heirloom Artwork to Inspire Creativity: Brittany DeSantis on Grief, Calligraphy, and the Power of Journaling (Part 1)

57 min • 19 juni 2024

Margo is joined by artist, calligrapher, and avid journaler, Brittany DeSantis. After making a big cross-country move to Alberta, Canada nearly a decade ago, Brittany fell in love with the mountains and back in love with art. This move inspired the "peak" in her business name, Peak Paper Co. Through global brand partnerships and from Brittany’s tiny home studio, she's taught the art of calligraphy, watercolor and journaling to over 50 thousand people worldwide. One of Brittany's very cool teaching roles is that of global luxury brand, Montblanc's, Inspire Writing instructor. She focuses on the "beginner" stage as she believes we're all inherently creative and our own handwriting is a gift. Brittany is the proud mother of two young daughters and now, a published author who still deeply misses her dad. Art and writing inadvertently helped her cope with his loss 20 years ago, and still does to this day. It's why she created a guided grief journal to help others find the power of putting pen to paper when we're going through hard times.

Margo and Brittany discuss:

Her path from rediscovering her love for art in a watercolor calligraphy class to founding Peak Paper Co
Transitioning from an advertising job to full-time artistry
How creating simple forms helped her in combating creative block
Art as a tool for navigating grief
Strategies that Brittany has found to be effective in balancing multiple roles and responsibilities like motherhood and entrepreneurship
The value of reaching out for mutually beneficial relationships
The importance of creating a supportive space for creativity
Finding inspiration from neuroaesthetics and the science-backed benefits of art-making
How she overcame imposter syndrome by focusing on teaching beginners
Her groundbreaking grief journal proposal and what it’s led to
What it’s been like to partner with a renowned brand like Montblanc
The therapeutic benefits of art and journaling
An upcoming retreat in Portugal that promises to be a haven for creative minds
And so much more