Art postcard No. 03: Being empathetic does not mean ...

This art postcard is number 03 in the series “Being empathetic does not mean …” and features the phrase: “Being empathetic does not mean leading. We follow. Don’t just do anything. Just be there.” It was painted by Christiane Lesch, born in 1940. She studied graphic design in the late 1950s, is a mother of three and is known as a children’s book illustrator. Alongside commissioned work, she devotes herself to painting for her own pleasure, including colour etchings and watercolours.

The quotes on the cards come from her friend, the NVC trainer Dr Gitta Zimmermann. She gave Christiane a list of statements on the principles of NVC and let her choose freely which ones to illustrate. Christiane explains: “And these quotes really struck a chord with me!” She first produced many sketches, which she discussed with Gitta, then set the designs aside for a while: “It’s like making yeast dough. You have to let them rise…”

You can get this card individually, as a set of all 10 designs in a discounted bundle, or as a pack of 10 in business-card format – to give as gifts or to use as inspiration for workshops and practice sessions. The same workshop also produces a perpetual NVC calendar and a children’s book.