What Art Taught Karen Sachs About Letting Go and Starting Over

For this special interview on the Arts to Hearts Project website, we spoke with Karen Sachs, a contemporary artist who shares how painting helped her reconnect with herself and create a life filled with colour and meaning. In this conversation, Karen discusses what happened the very first time she picked up a brush, how she uses emotion to guide her creative choices, and why her workshops focus on helping others discover themselves through art.

From painting to mosaic work, she shares how creativity has helped her overcome fear, find joy, and inspire others to do the same. Through her story, we learn that art isn’t just about what you make—it’s about what you discover along the way.

Karen Sachs is a featured artist in our book, “101 ArtBook – Abstract Edition” You can explore her journey and the stories of other artists by purchasing the book here:

https://shop.artstoheartsproject.com/products/the-creative-process-book

I didn’t just start painting—I awakened to it. The first time I touched a brush to canvas, it felt like my soul burst into colour. Electric blue swirls danced across the surface, followed by waves of purple and red. That moment wasn’t just about paint—it was about possibility. It was the beginning of a journey to discover who I truly am. Art became my mirror, my medicine, and my magic. Through it, I’ve learned to express emotions I couldn’t put into words. Colour became my language—each hue a feeling, each stroke a truth. Painting opened a door to self-discovery, healing, and joy. It allowed me to colour my world beyond imagination.

As a contemporary artist, I delve into the complex and nuanced layers of the human experience. My portraits reveal the parts of ourselves we often keep tucked away. My animal paintings reflect the wisdom and unconditional love we receive from our furry companions. Landscapes celebrate the beauty and rhythm of life, while abstract works give me the freedom to create without boundaries—to be. Art has transformed me, and now I create to inspire transformation in others. My work is an invitation: to feel deeply, to connect authentically, and to rediscover the beauty of your essence.

1.   You describe your first painting experience as an explosion of colour—what did that moment awaken in you?  

It was as if lightning had struck my soul. I thought I was going to paint something simple—maybe hearts, maybe something sweet and symbolic. But the moment I dipped my brush into that first colour, creativity took over. Blue, red, gold—colours flew across the canvas like emotion in motion. And then, a bold magenta heart sealed it all in. That painting became Love ENERGY—and it was the first time I truly saw myself on a canvas. As I painted, my emotions surged—joy, stress, anxiety, sadness, and finally, a deep, unexpected pleasure. It was wild. It was real. It was me. That canvas didn’t just hold paint—it had my truth. My energy. My story. When I stepped back, I realised something profound: this wasn’t just art.

This was healing. This was released—this was a transformation. I had never done anything like it before, and it changed everything. It helped me let go of the emotional chaos swirling inside and around me. I didn’t even notice the shift at first, but once I did, I knew I had found something powerful. Since then, art has become my companion, my mirror, my medicine. With every painting, every workshop, I’ve peeled away layers of self-doubt and uncovered the vibrant, lovable, authentic me. And now, I’m passionate about helping others experience that same awakening—that exact moment when colour becomes clarity, and creativity becomes freedom.

Paint Your Essence isn’t just a phrase—it’s a call to come home to yourself.

Karen Sachs

2.    How do emotions guide your colour choices across different media like paint, mosaic, and oil pastels?  

Colour is my emotional compass. Each medium I work with—whether it’s the bold sweep of oil pastels, the layered depth of paint, or the intricate rhythm of mosaics—becomes a language for my inner world. With oil pastels and paint, I dive headfirst into emotion. These mediums let me express raw intensity—joy, sorrow, transformation, and everything in between. The colours I choose aren’t random; they’re intentional, intuitive, and deeply personal. Blue might whisper serenity or cry out in sadness. Purple is my symbol of transformation and forgiveness—a bridge between pain and healing. Warm tones blaze like fire, radiating joy, resilience, and rebirth.

Mosaics, on the other hand, are like life’s puzzle—each piece unique, yet part of a greater whole. They reflect the complexity of existence: how broken fragments can come together to form something beautiful and whole. One of my most powerful pieces began with a heart locked in a cell—my emotional prison. I painted it in blues and purples, colours that held both my sorrow and my hope. As the piece evolved, I added warmth, floral tones that hinted at fire and rebirth. Then came the dragonfly, a symbol of freedom and self-acceptance. That moment was transformative. I wasn’t just painting—I was healing. Every colour I use is a feeling made visible. Every piece is a journey. And through each stroke, shard, and shade, I find my way back to myself.

3.  Your portraits reveal hidden parts of the human experience—what truths are you most drawn to uncover?  

I’m drawn to the truth of being. The raw, radiant, unfiltered essence of who we are beneath the surface. Through my portraits, I explore the quiet strength, the unspoken stories, and the miraculous beauty that often go unnoticed. Each face I paint is a mirror—sometimes to my soul, sometimes to the collective human spirit. What I’m most passionate about uncovering is the truth of myself—the journey of discovering who I was always meant to be. Art gave me the courage to look inward and embrace every part of me: the fierce, the fragile, the flawed, and the free. I found honesty in emotion, power in vulnerability, and a deep love for the person I’ve become. That’s the truth I chase in every portrait—the moment someone sees themselves not as they’ve been told to be, but as they truly are. It’s not just about capturing a likeness. It’s about revealing a soul.

4. What inspired you to incorporate mosaic into your work, and how does it reflect your view of connection?

Mosaics captivated me the moment I realised their quiet wisdom: that beauty is born from brokenness, and connection is found in the spaces between. Incorporating mosaic into my art felt like opening a new door to storytelling. Each shard of glass, each fragment of tile, carries its history—yet when brought together, they create something far greater than the sum of their parts.

That’s the magic. That’s the message. To me, mosaics are a metaphor for life and humanity. We are all unique pieces—different shapes, colors, and textures—traveling our paths. But when we come together, we form something breathtakingly whole. Every mosaic I create is a celebration of that unity, that connection, that shared journey. It’s a joyful, hands-on reminder that even the most ordinary or broken pieces can be transformed into something extraordinary. And in that transformation, we find meaning, belonging, and beauty.

Every color I use is a feeling made visible. Every piece is a journey.

Karen Sachs

5.  “Paint Your Essence” is a powerful phrase—how does your art help others reconnect with themselves? 

“Paint Your Essence” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a call to come home to yourself. In my workshops, I create a space where people can quiet the noise of the outside world and listen to their inner voice. The blank canvas becomes a mirror, not of what we look like, but of who we truly are. It’s not about skill or technique—it’s about truth. It’s about letting colour, texture, and movement speak the words we sometimes can’t. Often, people arrive with a plan, an idea of what they want to create. But something magical happens when they begin—the art takes over.

The canvas starts to whisper. It nudges, it reveals, it heals. What emerges is often unexpected, yet deeply familiar. It’s a journey of self-discovery, where each brushstroke uncovers a layer of the soul. I’ve seen people transform through this process—rediscovering joy, releasing pain, and stepping into their power. They leave with more than a painting. They go with clarity, confidence, and a deeper connection to their essence. These workshops are sacred to me. They bring peace to my worried soul. In this safe and creative space, we explore the full spectrum of emotions—grief, hope, love, and resilience—and bring them all into the light. That’s the magic of “Paint Your Essence.” It’s not just art. It’s awakening.

6.   You mention art’s healing power—how has creating helped you grow or transform personally?  

Art has been my greatest healer, my truest guide, and the spark that lit up my soul. Through painting, mosaic, and the vibrant energy of creative community, I’ve uncovered parts of myself I never knew were waiting to shine. Every brushstroke, every shard of glass, every splash of colour has helped me peel back layers of doubt and fear—and reveal the radiant, powerful, authentic me. Art permitted me to be fully, unapologetically Karen. It cracked open my heart, expanded my mind, and awakened my spirit. It showed me that healing isn’t just possible—it’s beautiful. It’s messy, magical, and deeply personal. And in that process, I found joy. I found freedom. I found the awesomeness that is me. Creating has transformed how I see the world—and how I see myself. It’s helped me live more fully, love more deeply, and embrace every opportunity with open arms and an open heart.

Karen Sachs’ work is rooted in transformation—both in how she creates and in how she invites others to explore what’s possible through color, emotion, and creativity. Whether she’s painting portraits, piecing together mosaics, or guiding others in her workshops, her art is a space for honest expression and connection. Through her journey, we’ve seen how creating can open doors to healing, clarity, and growth. Her story reminds us that art can be a starting point for change, for listening to yourself again, and for finding beauty in places you may have forgotten to look.

To learn more about Karen, click the following links to visit her profile.

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