Art Star of the Month: Amber Wenger on Healing through Softness, Colour, and Self-Made Joy

At Arts to Hearts Project, we believe that every artist has a story and often, those stories are woven from the most unexpected threads: resilience, transformation, and the quiet pursuit of joy.

This month, we shine a light on Amber Wenger, the artist and founder behind Lemon and Sunshine. Raised in a conservative Christian cult, Amber’s early life was defined by strict rules, survival, and responsibilities that left no room for self-expression. But from that silence, she has cultivated something radiant. Her art is bold, bright, textured, and deeply soft a direct extension of the healing she’s worked hard to claim.

Amber’s creative journey began not in a studio, but on a couch recovering from a broken leg and watching YouTube painting tutorials. What started as a moment of boredom became a portal into something life changing. Since then, she’s developed a unique practice of 3D floral art that celebrates beauty, play, and presence.

In this interview, Amber speaks with honesty and heart about reclaiming her voice, building a creative life from the ground up, and the joy of letting art become a homecoming.

Amber Wenger

I’m Amber Wenger, the artist behind Lemon and Sunshine. My path to creativity wasn’t linear it was born from a life that, for a long time, left no room for it. I grew up as the eldest daughter in a family of eight, raised in a conservative Christian cult. Our home had no electricity, and I attended a one-room schoolhouse. Life in that world was rigid and demanding—there was no space to explore emotions, let alone creativity. From a young age, I carried the weight of responsibility, helping to raise my siblings and navigating a system that discouraged individuality.

At 18, determined to change my path, I enrolled in the local community college—despite my parents’ disapproval. I wanted an education, a better life, and most of all, freedom. I graduated during the COVID pandemic, all while managing the heavy fog of depression. Still, I worked hard to be a source of light for those around me.

Then came an unexpected turning point: I broke my leg. I’m usually full of energy, but suddenly I was stuck on the couch, restless and searching for something to do. Out of boredom, I started watching painting tutorials on YouTube. When I stumbled upon textured painting, something inside me lit up. It felt natural, exciting—even magical. I was hooked. That spark hasn’t dimmed since.

Q1. You’ve shared that your childhood was shaped by caring for your siblings and growing up fast how did those early responsibilities shape your relationship with creativity or the idea of self-expression?

I was required from an early age to become the 3rd parent to my siblings, my parents both seemed overwhelmed by all their responsibilities, and they looked to me to carry a heavy load. This was incredibly tough for me, I had the desire to bring wisdom and love to the world and instead of appreciating me my family resented me and asked me to work even more. I learned that I needed to take care of myself first and started looking for anything I could do to get out of the cult. Being in survival mode there is no space for self-expression because it feels quite frivolous and scary. Once I had graduated and I felt like I “made it” I felt safe, and I began to invest more time and energy into expression.

Q3. It’s so inspiring how your journey into art began during recovery from a leg injury, with nothing more than curiosity and YouTube tutorials. What did that moment of rediscovery feel like for you and what made you keep going?

It felt MAGICAL!!! I honestly thought to myself “Wow, this is the easiest thing I have ever done!” I had never felt so much ease and lightness in any endeavour as I felt while discovering my ability to paint. I was free, there were no comparisons lurking in the back of my mind. It was just me playing with materials and making happy art. I still feel this ease even as I have refined my style and found more balance in my work. I kept going because I received so many ideas and energy from the projects that I have actually struggled to fall asleep at night ever since. Hahaha!  I have developed an obsession with the process and its incredible.

Q3. The textured, floral style you’ve become known for is so unique. How did you come to develop that technique, and how has your creative process evolved since those first few experiments?

I love my 3-dimensional paintings so much, I discovered my style through lots of trial and error. I watched paint tutorials and got inspired by the processes other people used and I collected my favorite techniques and played around until they felt like me. My creative process has evolved most notably to be more structured than I was when I began. I used to just pipe any types of flowers, abstract or detailed, I felt like making and then create bouquets. Now I use reference photos, and I try to make some specific florals, and I try to refine my techniques to be more realistic in some ways. One thing that hasn’t changed is that I still maintain playfulness always!

Q4. Your work radiates a kind of softness and joy that feels deeply intentional. When you’re beginning a piece, do you have a feeling, memory, or message you’re hoping to capture, or do you let it unfold intuitively?

Thank-you! I am glad you picked up on that! I create my work through intention and intuition. I am very intentional about how I want my art to feel in the world. I want to bring brightness and warmth to inspire hope and joy in a world that feels quite dark at times. I have dealt with depression and seen firsthand how hopelessness breaks the spirit. I need to provide respite for weary minds with my work. As for the intuitive part, I find that work I have created years ago keeps unfolding to bring new meanings and all I can say is my intuition is very strong and deeper than I can explain.

I just work with it like it’s a mentor, and I know what “right” feels like.

Q5. With the growth of Lemon and Sunshine, are there values or ideas that keep you grounded whether it’s your faith, your creative philosophy, or how you want your art to impact others?

Yes! I first and foremost need to care for me; I hurt my right arm 2 years ago and its healed but still needs slow day here and there. I value sustainability, I also value potency. I refuse to take on more than I can reasonably do even though I have a strong obsession that is always begging me to do more. I try to slow down and feel everything and that makes my art potent. I want to imbue my grounded wisdom into each piece so that those who drink in my art can actually feel my soul speaking to their soul.

Q6. What’s next for you and Lemon and Sunshine? Are there any dreams, projects, or quiet hopes you’re looking forward to bringing to life?

I am currently working on a very exciting project called “Pink Lemonade”. It is a love letter to me and my inner child and honours my love of pink. I wanted to create a collection of works that feel like a nostalgic summer memories, the ones I never got when I was child. I am feeding my generous, loving, inner child who didn’t receive the love and warmth she needed when she was little. In this body of work, you’ll see picnic, summer, sticky sweet, vibes. This will be debuted in a private party in my home in 4 weeks. I will then begin sharing them on my socials, so be sure to follow me *wink wink*. I am super energized as I finish up the final pieces!

Q7. Congratulations on being featured as an Art Star by The Arts to Hearts Project! What does a recognition like this mean to you personally, and how do you feel it supports or impacts your growth as an artist? 

Thank you so much it is such an honor. It means so much to me to be recognized for my work that I have chosen. I created this job for myself by myself! Its huge! I love my work, and I want to share it with as many people as possible so that other people can also tap into this fun-loving energy. Being published with The Arts to Hearts Project will help me connect with people who love what I love to create. It’s also really great to be appreciated for the ways I take care of myself and not the way that I sacrifice myself and my body. Making art feels really great and talking about it feels amazing!

Amber Wenger’s story is a powerful reminder that even the hardest beginnings can lead to something beautiful. Through her art, she creates more than just textured florals—she offers a sense of peace, joy, and a safe space to feel. Each piece she makes tells a story of healing, softness, and rediscovering joy. Whether she’s carefully piping flowers or creating playful new collections like Pink Lemonade, Amber shows us that healing doesn’t have to be quiet—it can be colourful, expressive, and full of life.

Her upcoming collection, Pink Lemonade, is especially close to her heart. It’s inspired by the happy childhood moments she missed and is a tribute to her inner child filled with sweetness, warmth, and a sense of fun.

Amber’s work invites us all to slow down, feel more deeply, and reconnect with the parts of ourselves we may have forgotten. If you’re looking for art that brings comfort and joy, Lemon and Sunshine is a beautiful place to begin.

Follow Amber’s journey and explore more of her art through the links below.