What is Karin actually doing?

While we have to take a winter break from sailing, the real superheroes are off on their 75-80 day trip around the world. The Vendee Globe was launched in France, with 6 women and 34 men racing solo and non-stop around the world. Boris Herman, a very likeable German sailor, is also taking part and will try to keep up with the strong Frenchmen. Christmas in the roaring forties or screaming fifties of the Southern Ocean is not a tempting idea for everyone. I can’t imagine a tougher challenge. We follow these legendary achievements of the sailors online (vendeeglobe.org) and with the utmost respect.

But let’s move on to another topic. Our sailing break is a good time to give a few insights into our sailing life. Let’s start today with the most important person for me: first things first: what does Ka actually do?

Art on board

Anyone who knows Ka – or has got to know her over the years – knows that she always has to be doing something creative. The ‘must’ in Ka’s work is more of an imperative than an optional term. I don’t know anyone who suffers so much if nothing creative can be created. Even in her years as creative director of our agencies, she wielded the paintbrush (figuratively and metaphorically) in her free hours. If there was no canvas or paper at hand, tablecloths and walls served the purpose just as well. If Ka couldn’t work creatively for a while, she was in danger of bursting. I’m sure I’ve seen signs that it was close to happening a few times.

With this situation in mind, it was risky to move onto a vessel, even on a catamaran with ample space. Gone were the days of big canvases and available artist resources. Only digital was the real deal. And may whoever beware that the sails had to be used as canvas. The switch from canvas to tablet and Wacom board was successful and Ka got going again. The fact that Ka doesn’t get seasick was an valuable add on, making passages a great time for productive creativity.

The output after four years looks almost as if Ka had been working full time.

Here is an excerpt from the works created:

Literature:

6 children’s books by Bello and Lilly (with many thanks to our friend Ute Lott for editing). It’s no coincidence that the mouse, dog and their friends sail exactly our route and experience many of our adventures. The richly illustrated works can be found on Amazon: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BTC58T53

The book ‘Superheldig’, which Ka wrote with our friend Astrid Kunert, a book for young people with 9 stories about 4 heroes. Published in May on Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/01SbBDfX

Ka is currently writing a book about Paxos, which will be for adults. And in between, she has written and produced a children’s book together with our two grandchildren.

Design:

Ka`s project ‘My Yacht Logo’ was completely logical. With the special knowledge of maritime needs and requirements in combination with her design talents, she designs the branding of vessels. From the logo on the hull to the crew wear and equipment. Clients range from sailors like us to superyacht owners. Over the years, plenty of impressive works have been created. If you fancy having a look: www.myyachtlogo.com. Ka’s Instagram account has been hacked in the meantime, which is why she is looking forward to new followers: Instagram/myyachtlogo.

The really cool thing is that all the designs were actually created offshore, on the waves of the seas.

The paint has barely dried (metaphorically) on her latest work and it was a special treat for her because it was for our South-African sailing friends and long-time Youtubers ‘Sailing Sisu’. Petro and Frick’s channel is very informative, but the ‘Sisu’ vessel logo was always waiting for an upgrade. Ka has changed that and here is the result:

Art:

Not a day actually goes by without Ka is designing something. This has resulted in some impressive series. One of my favourite works is ‘Underwater Circumnavigation’. A series of underwater motifs. This series was produced as NFT art. https://karinbinz.com/nft/

Another series were motifs from our journey, mainly landscape or nature motifs.

Ka is currently illustrating sailing friends we met on our trip. You can find an overview of Ka’s art projects here: https://www.Karinbinz.com, Instagram.com/KarinBernardyBinz

Corporate:

In reminiscence and utilising the skills, a number of websites, print media and books have also been created over the four years. For old customers as well as new ones. Websites can also be designed and produced offshore. Since we have been provided with a permanent good internet connection and have 150 Mbit data streams on board virtually every minute everywhere on the seas, the Rivercafe has become something of an offshore office.

So Ka can live out her urge for productivity and creativity on the Rivercafe while we cross oceans or sail from country to country. But I can tell that she’s really looking forward to finally working on a few square metres of canvas with oil paint again. But that’s only possible on land, even a large catamaran doesn’t allow it. However, I’m totally sure that a few walls of our future house will soon have to be painted with wallpaintings.

But as long as there are colours, canvas or electricity in the world, my sweetheart will always be busy. Preferably offshore. /Holger Binz