Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrea Wunderlich. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Andrea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Yes, I´m 100% happy. I´ve been working in regular jobs as a textile designer and as a teacher. Both jobs have been creative, too, but being self-employed brings so much more adventure to my life. And I guess that´s what I need. I don´t want a daily routine – it is nice to be in the studio – of course, but then also the traveling to jobs or for teaching, the big variety of commissions I get in, that´s what makes my life a happy one.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I´ve started out in the creative industry as a textile designer in a small studio. We were selling our designs worldwide and I loved my job. At the same time I started with calligraphy. I strongly believe in craft and skill, I went through years of training and practice in traditional calligraphy and lettering and also specialized on murals. If it comes to calligraphy, I do a lot of teaching, nation- and worldwide. Always with the special interest of learning historical alphabets, but then also going fo a contemporary use in design and arts.
For lettering, I command a great variety of styles. Depending on the purpose I can offer the right lettering style.
And I´m happy to work big when it comes to murals. This can be lettering on chalkboards or big artistic murals.

I once asked a client why they´ve booked me and the answer was: “Well, our idea contains letters, so you´re the right person to work with.” And that´r it – as long as it is letters, I´ll do it!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

It is that question: “Don´t you ever have problems finding new ideas/ create something new?” Well, creativity means to me that I´m having ideas all the time. I really understood this when my business developed more and more and I was busy with commissions all the time. But at the same time, my brain has new ideas for projects and artworks, but I just don´t have the time. That makes me unhappy and I had to find a balance, I had to take time off to work on my own ideas and artworks. Otherwise, I fear that my head would explode. And it´s perfect then, because if I allow myself to play , I also have more energy for my clients and commissions.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As a fulltime artist, I have to get in money. Anyway, I already have a great variety of commissions I´m accepting and I´m working on a wide field of lettering. But when the pandemic hit, there was no teaching, clients closed down their businesses. There was hardly any job to do.
One week into the first shutdown, I´ve been asked by a German pen company to offer live sessions on instagram on a weekly basis. From there on, teaching online became more and more important.
Still now, I´m teaching online classes worldwide. And I love it.
Of course, I´m happy that we´re back into in person classes, too, but online teaching is still a part of my job. And I´m very grateful for it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.andreawunderlich.com/
• Instagram: wunderliche_welt
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.wunderlich/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-wunderlich-9784a01b9/
• Other: tiktok: wunderliche_welt

Image Credits
Lena Wenz