Meet Kerstin Rao | Artist and Owner of Vivid Cottage

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kerstin Rao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kerstin, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
For years, I had this quote posted in my classroom for middle school gifted kids:

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” – John Shedd

As their teacher, I focused on possibilities for my students.

But during the pandemic lockdown, it was suddenly time for me to leave my harbor.

I took early retirement after 34 years of teaching and jumped into starting my own art-based business.

There have been choppy waters, for sure, but I absolutely love being captain of my own ship!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a child, I was known as the ‘paper and tape kid,’ always drawing and inventing. It wasn’t until I retired early from teaching that I finally became what I dreamed of — a professional artist. My art comes from delight in the wonders of nature, following my curiosity, and the pleasures of deep focus. I can draw for hours and forget to eat!

I know I am ‘in the zone’ when I draw and feel vibrant to my core. I feel that same vibration when I’m standing in front of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings — an aliveness, an intensity, an absolute mind-dancing moment with colors and shape and movement.

As I gaze at a farmer’s market bouquet, I’m like an art-minded bumblebee, crawling in and out of crevices and curves, delighting in discovery between edges. The spirals from one bloom to the next feel like the joys of life itself, and that is what comes through when people look at my completed work.

The joy of discovery and connection is evergreen and healing for both artist and patron.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here is my confession – I have never been to Atlanta! Curious, I started to research where an artist should visit. I’ve discovered the Goat Farm Arts Center, Atlanta Contemporary, the Apex Museum, Oakland Cemetery, MODA, and even the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where I’d get out my paper and pencils and draw. So many great food options, too – I’m intrigued by The Varsity and hope to discover neighborhood places serving heart-led cuisine from many cultures. Now, I am eager to plan my first trip!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We often overlook the folks who are closest to us, so I’ll start with how grateful I am to my husband, Vijay. He has been steadfast and encouraging of my leap in to entrepreneurship. He’s the first to brag about what I’m doing to his friends, and he’s also the first to wipe away my tears of frustration when I hit a roadblock. I continue every day because of his support, humor, and love.

I’m deeply glad I got to show my mother the two holiday greeting cards I designed for The Smithsonian before she passed away last summer. Her eyes lit up whenever I sent her a new design and she was in my corner from the start.

My sisters rallied around me right away, buying even my awkward first products to use as gifts for friends. My in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, and family members are cheering me on.

On a very practical level, I’m grateful for the Women’s Business Development Council here in Connecticut. See if there’s one in your state, too! Their wonderful mentors taught me to write a business plan, to do my own accounting, and helped me apply to and win two important grants to grow my business.

Believe it or not, I also had a group of creative women based in the UK support my growth. I had to join the Zoom calls at 5:30 a.m., often with bed-head hair and in my pajamas. Their warmth, their stories of their own struggles and successes, helped me stay the course.

Many wonderful shops, garden centers, and museum gift stores took a chance on my new brand. They loyally place new orders with me. When small businesses support each other, that is the true heart of community!

Website: https://www.vividcottage.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vividcottage

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerstinwarnerrao/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vividcottage

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vividcottage

Image Credits
Abby Cole Photography
Jerri Graham Photography