Auer: ‘Give art and creativity a try, it can be your superpower’

everything just feels like it’s too much?

For me, it’s creating something with my own two hands. I put down my phone, pick up my knitting needles, and start knitting.

KERSTIN AUER LIFE NORTH OF 50

What do you turn to when the going gets tough? What’s your go-to strategy when

Sometimes I’ll draw or paint, but most of the time it involves knitting. The process of creating something and being completely focused on it takes my mind off everything else for a while. Plus, ending up with something tangible I created in a time where many things are online and abstract, boosts my mood and gives me a sense of accomplishment when I otherwise feel like I can’t make a difference.

I’ve never considered myself an artist, I just like to create. Yet, the world nowadays is defined by labels.

Everything gets a label, whether we like it or not. I think it’s always been that way, nowadays the labels are just politically correct. Has the way we feel about ourselves and the world really changed though? I don’t think it has. And I also think we need to go beyond labels and come back to ourselves. If you want to create, create. You don’t need the label of “artist” to do that.

Many years ago I talked to a few local painters for a blog post I wrote, and I asked them what made a difference for them with creating their art. Their answer was “miles on the brush” - you have to paint whether you consider yourself an artist or not. So, whether you consider yourself an

From the Herald archives: January, 2011

Merritt Crime Stoppers

Crime Stoppers have been serving Merritt for almost a year. Any helpful tips in solving a crime are sent to a board, for an appropriate award.

Crime Stoppers Chair Graham Whitecross stresses that volunteering is critical if Merritt is going to achieve a safer community. “This is our town and unless we get off of our butts and do these things nobody is going to do.”