In this deeply personal conversation, Magdalena Westman traces the arc of her life from her early years in a pastor’s family in Czechoslovakia to her transformative experiences in South Africa—where the seeds of her art therapy practice first began to take root.
Growing up in a home filled with intellect, faith, and compassion, Magdalena’s childhood was shaped by both inspiration and challenge. Her family’s moral integrity during the years of political repression left a lasting imprint, instilling in her a sensitivity to human struggle and resilience. Those formative experiences would later find their way into her work, not through words, but through color, texture, and the spontaneous movement of the hand across paper.
Our conversation moves gently between memory and meaning—how a sense of “being different” as a child became a source of empathy, and how the creative act became, for Magdalena, a path to freedom and healing. In South Africa, amidst new landscapes and cultural encounters, she began to sense art’s potential to bridge inner and outer worlds—a realization that led her to study and eventually teach art therapy after returning to the Czech Republic.
Today, Magdalena is known for her intuitive approach to creativity—inviting people to reconnect with their childlike curiosity through mark-making, reflection, and presence. Her workshops and writings reveal how even the simplest doodle can become a doorway to emotional understanding and self-discovery.
This interview offers a rare glimpse into a life shaped by courage, creativity, and compassion—and into an artistic philosophy that reminds us that healing often begins with a single, spontaneous line.
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In this deeply personal conversation, Magdalena Westman traces the arc of her life from her early years in a pastor’s family in Czechoslovakia to her transformative experiences in South Africa—where the seeds of her art therapy practice first began to take root.
Growing up in a home filled with intellect, faith, and compassion, Magdalena’s childhood was shaped by both inspiration and challenge. Her family’s moral integrity during the years of political repression left a lasting imprint, instilling in her a sensitivity to human struggle and resilience. Those formative experiences would later find their way into her work, not through words, but through color, texture, and the spontaneous movement of the hand across paper.
Our conversation moves gently between memory and meaning—how a sense of “being different” as a child became a source of empathy, and how the creative act became, for Magdalena, a path to freedom and healing. In South Africa, amidst new landscapes and cultural encounters, she began to sense art’s potential to bridge inner and outer worlds—a realization that led her to study and eventually teach art therapy after returning to the Czech Republic.
Today, Magdalena is known for her intuitive approach to creativity—inviting people to reconnect with their childlike curiosity through mark-making, reflection, and presence. Her workshops and writings reveal how even the simplest doodle can become a doorway to emotional understanding and self-discovery.
This interview offers a rare glimpse into a life shaped by courage, creativity, and compassion—and into an artistic philosophy that reminds us that healing often begins with a single, spontaneous line.
Artist Interview: Petra Štefanková on Illustration, Graphic Design & Women in Art
Petra Sittig
20 minutes 2 seconds
1 month ago
Artist Interview: Petra Štefanková on Illustration, Graphic Design & Women in Art
In this inspiring conversation, I speak with Petra Štefanková – an award-winning artist, designer, and illustrator whose work spans across graphic design, book illustration, and painting. Recognised internationally by Channel 4 and American Illustration, Petra brings a rich, multidisciplinary perspective to her creative practice.
She shares insights into her career as a graphic designer, as well as her extensive work as a book illustrator, where she combines storytelling with striking visual language. The discussion then flows into her fine art practice, where her paintings take center stage. A passionate traveller, Petra draws inspiration from her journeys around the world, transforming experiences of people, places, and cultures into vibrant works of art.
A recurring theme in her work is women, who appear as powerful figures and symbols across her creative output. Petra reflects on how these depictions emerge not only from personal experience but also from her desire to highlight strength, beauty, and resilience.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Petra is a Life Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London and a member of the World Genius Directory in Australia, further underlining her contribution to the global creative community.
This interview offers an engaging look into the world of a visionary artist whose practice continues to cross boundaries and touch audiences worldwide.
https://petrastefankova.com
Petra Sittig
In this deeply personal conversation, Magdalena Westman traces the arc of her life from her early years in a pastor’s family in Czechoslovakia to her transformative experiences in South Africa—where the seeds of her art therapy practice first began to take root.
Growing up in a home filled with intellect, faith, and compassion, Magdalena’s childhood was shaped by both inspiration and challenge. Her family’s moral integrity during the years of political repression left a lasting imprint, instilling in her a sensitivity to human struggle and resilience. Those formative experiences would later find their way into her work, not through words, but through color, texture, and the spontaneous movement of the hand across paper.
Our conversation moves gently between memory and meaning—how a sense of “being different” as a child became a source of empathy, and how the creative act became, for Magdalena, a path to freedom and healing. In South Africa, amidst new landscapes and cultural encounters, she began to sense art’s potential to bridge inner and outer worlds—a realization that led her to study and eventually teach art therapy after returning to the Czech Republic.
Today, Magdalena is known for her intuitive approach to creativity—inviting people to reconnect with their childlike curiosity through mark-making, reflection, and presence. Her workshops and writings reveal how even the simplest doodle can become a doorway to emotional understanding and self-discovery.
This interview offers a rare glimpse into a life shaped by courage, creativity, and compassion—and into an artistic philosophy that reminds us that healing often begins with a single, spontaneous line.
