PrimeBliss: Interview with Artist Kal Barteski

A big, pink, live bouquet for the first interview!

Listening to right now: The Duhks (in honor of Winnipeg)

Today's Happiness Formula: All of the smells -- the lilacs, the cherry trees, the crabapple, the apple, the daphne, the narcissus...overwhelming.

Kal Barteski is an incredibly busy woman. To read her blog is to get a breathless sense of what it can be to be a good, involved mother and a productive, excited, invigorated artist.

She has so many projects going on...all the time...simultaneously. She creates originals and prints of "Tiny Art," volunteers her time and talents, teaches, writes books, publishes -- all on top of taking care of Pilot!

Check out her blog page and all the links to her various endeavors.

And then she even had the time to answer a few questions from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I've heard through various sources that Winnipeg is quite an art town.

(For a definition of "PrimeBliss.")

Describe the PrimeBliss of your life, including how you came to discover it.

Creating art is my bliss - I can't say I came to discover it. It has always been deeply seeded within me. I can't remember loving anything else as much. I can't remember needing anything in a similar way. Since before I could read - I drew. I made things. I lost myself in a box of crayons.

What types of choices and sacrifices did you make to be able to craft this bliss-filled life?

I started my own business when I was 21. I opened my design studio and made it work when all my friends were getting paying jobs in big offices. For a while I felt a little bit left behind - until I realized that ultimately I was much further ahead working for myself and carving a space for my passions within my daily life. I didn't hesitate to jump in because I didn't see any other option. I didn't question failure. Without creating art - I don't feel that I am living a good life.

How does your PrimeBliss radiate out into the rest of your life?

My passion is also my career and it has allowed me to live a comfortable life and definitely allowed me to see the bigger picture in terms of what makes me wealthy. Waking up every morning to do what I love to do - makes me very, very rich inside... It also makes me a lot more pleasant to be around.

What are some of your secondary bliss activities? Things that make you lose your sense of time?

Secondary bliss? Spending time with the people I love. Helping people. If you're looking for me to say 'playing tennis' or 'salsa dancing' - that's just not me. I create art. I live art.

What is your daily or weekly spiritual practice?

I'm not much of a routine bird. But, I definitely have some requirements when I'm creating art - I block out most of all other distractions... noise - fuss - outside. I sort of need to zone in until I'm centered and in the zone to create. I've been doing this a long time now - so I can get there quickly...

What music is your bliss?

I like all forms of music. On an introspective day - when I am reaching very deeply for an emotion in a piece - I really like the Prayer Cycle by John Elias. Other days, I'm digging the Dixie Chicks... Whatever finds the mood. I mostly use music to block out the outside distractions.

Name books or authors/poets or people who are your bliss, who influenced your bliss.

Definitely. The Saint, The Surfer, and the CEO by Robin Sharma. Do by A.C. Ping. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. I read a LOT of books and these are the ones that touch me...

What advice would you give to someone who feels they have not yet discovered their PrimeBliss?

Keep doing stuff until you find what it is you love to do. I don't know what it is like to not know my bliss - so I do not know the best advice... Just keep moving. Keep thinking. Pay attention.

Do you have a favorite quote you would like to share?

I love quotes. My two favourites: "We are infinitely more than we think." I don't know who said that... but, it's magical. AND "Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." I don't know who said that either... but, that is the real deal. Peace.

Pay attention -- I don't think she could have given better advice!

And her comments about "real wealth" reminded me to think about my own life this way. Sometimes, even those of us who practice daily gratitude need to be gently reminded.

Did anything that Kal had to say especially resonate with you?