Michelle Schratz aka RaspberryBlueSky

Michelle is the artist behind RaspberryBlueSky

She is - an imperfect creative bohemian soul, wild flower child, daughter of the sea, child of the sun, mess maker, dreamer and definitely a believer of messy art journal pages!

Originally from the USA, she now lives in Germany. Near Lake Ammer (Ammersee as it’s called in German). Michelle had an office job for 25 years, where she worked for a German helicopter developer and manufacturer. At the age of 45 she decided that she needed a change and rediscovered her passion for creating and above all, discovered her true passion… art journaling.

She teaches both online and in-person workshops. The lake and the beautiful Bavarian countryside are her inspiration. And that’s exactly where she can be found when she’s not in her studio.

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What does Art is Magic mean to you?

Art is Magic means so much to me. The line up of artists and being able to create, share and inspire! Just WOW!!!

Why do you create art?

I create, therefore I am. I truly believe that we are all creative beings. We all have some kind of creativity in each and every one of us. And therefore, I believe that to be happy and fulfilled, art necessity in our daily lives. The human soul craves to be creative.

Tell us about your journey to become an artist?

Hmmm… As a child I was very creative. Painting, stitching, pottery. You name it, I did it! Yet, I never had the chance to study art and I simply thought that I needed some kind of scholarship in arts to do something creative. {You have to know that I had the worst art grade ever in my final exams} - and even though I wanted to do something artistic, it wasn’t possible. Or so I thought. My father used to say to me „You can’t become an artist. They don’t make any money until they’re dead“. End of topic.

Tell us about your journey to claim the title artist?

Somewhere along the way - it must have been around 2008 - I bought some paints and brushes and simply started painting. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, but I was having the time of my life! That little girl within me had been waiting so long… now she’s here to stay!

What is it about making art that stirs your soul?

Everything! I just love being creative! It helps me in every perspective. My soul is nourished by art.

What is currently inspiring you?

Flowers. Flowers. Flowers. Always! Flowers!

What does your creative Practice look like?

Wherever I go, I always have a couple of sheets of paper and a pencil with me… to either do some sketching or simply jotting down my thoughts. Inspiration is everywhere.

How do you keep your creative practice fresh and inspired?

Being alone. Going to new places. Taking long walks. Going to museums. Sitting in a café all by myself. Watching people. Soaking it all in - the colors, the smells and yes even the feelings. These small „time-outs“ from daily life… it’s a small „reset" for the brain and the creative soul.

What sort of creative walls do you hit?

We all know these creative blockages. Sometimes I don’t know what to create. I simply don’t have the urge to be creative. It might be because something is happening in my life, that blocks my creative flow.

What do you do to move through them?

I like to reflect on everyday life to get through these phases. Acceptance is also part of the game… I tend to wait awhile when I see that wall in front of me. At some point I know that I’m able to climb over it. Acceptance and patience are import. Knowing that I am not a machine. I am human.

How has your process evolved?

These days I know what I want and if I like it. It hasn’t always been like that. I used to want people to comment my art and I wanted to know what I could do better. Nowadays I am enough.

What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your creative journey?

How all art supplies work with each other. Some things simply don’t hit it off together! But then again, that’s part of the learning process…. and very important.

Do you have a Creative Self Care Practice?

To simply start creating. No rules. No exceptions. Simple. Creative. Fun.

Do you have any creative rituals?

I do like to begin the day with either a cup of coffee or tea and watch the sun rise from my studio window… the magic of a new { and creative } beginning!