We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Johanna Chaw. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Johanna below.
Hi Johanna, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose through joy and healing. I grew up with a lot of chaos that followed me into adulthood. My previous career in the corporate world provided a sense of stability that I craved but with time, I noticed that something was fundamentally missing in my life. I didn’t understand back then that I was someone who was used to chaos and that my work was bringing more of it into my life. I was unhappy, stressed out and exhausted. My identity was heavily tied to my career and I often brought the pressure of my day at the office back home.
Painting was a great way for me to relax and unwind, to let go of everything and be in the flow. From a young age, art has always been about healing for me. In 2011, I discovered the enso circle at a yoga class. It brought a soothing elegance that I couldn’t explain but I felt it deep in my soul. A few years later, I painted my first enso on a 40×40 canvas. In the process, I was able to navigate my emotions and experiences in a safe and therapeutic manner. It became my meditation. I can’t begin to express the gratitude, joy and inner peace that took over my entire being when I finished that painting. Since then, my art focused solely on the enso circle. I was completely drawn by it and began my enso practice after researching the origin and meaning behind this ancient, meditative and mindful art form.
The more I dedicated myself to painting and practicing mindfulness, the more I felt disconnected from my corporate identity. I had known for years that I didn’t belong in the corporate world even though I thrived in its structure and stability. Around the same time, I had also begun my healing journey, exploring ways to work through my past traumas and heal my inner child. There was a constant tug-of-war within me. Did I want the familiarity of a successful career and move up the corporate ladder or did I want to venture into the unknown and pursue my lifelong dream of becoming an artist? I was at a crossroad where I had to decide what I wanted to do career-wise. A decade prior, I had chosen corporate life after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with the intention that I’d someday find my way back to art. The thing about purpose is that it’s about joy and what truly lights you up. I could feel it in my core that it was time, like I was being magnetically pulled towards what I would later understand to be my life’s purpose. After careful consideration and strategic planning, I left my corporate job and the 9-5 life altogether to start my art business. Over the years since, I also transitioned into living more purposefully and making sure that my life is aligned with my heart and soul.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m an Enso Artist from Montreal, Quebec. I work primarily with sumi ink, acrylic paint and real 24k gold leaf. My art serves a purpose to inspire healing and to find inner peace through mindfulness. It’s about finding calm in the chaos, welcoming stillness into your heart and nurturing a deeper connection with yourself. The enso circle is about being in the moment, to let go and create. A single brushstroke reveals the nature of my inner world. There’s a profound meaning in this art form as it balances the simplicity of the shape of a circle with the complexities of life. My art practice explores several concepts of mindfulness through various signature styles. For example, my main signature style – The Kintsugi Enso – represents healing, resilience and your ability to always rise back up.
I like to study themes that are influenced by psychology, wabi-sabi philosophy and the concept of kintsugi. Through my own experiences and healing journey, I explore the emotions that come from chaos and suffering by sitting with my emotions and learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. During this process, my paintings have a chaotic vibe to them as I turn inward and reflect on what I’m feeling with a curious mind. It’s a safe way for me to go into the darkness to find the light – true inner wisdom. That’s when I move to the next stage of my process, where I draw the enso circle, and begin transforming the chaos into a serene reflection of inner peace, healing, strength and resilience. My art is very much about the human experience, the relationship we have with ourselves and with others as well as how the past, present and future are harmoniously connected. My work is more than just art. It encourages you to find your joy and your purpose, to live your truth passionately, to be your most authentic self and to follow what feels right in your heart and soul.
My writing is also complementary to my art. Most people connect with what I write, which are nuggets of wisdom I gain from my reflections during the painting process. It helps them understand the meaning behind a collection. When they’re drawn to a particular painting, it resonates even more deeply for them because they’re able to relate it in their own life. It’s a feeling that can only be understood from the heart and soul. With this consistent feedback, I saw an exciting new opportunity to expand my business. I’m currently studying to become a certified Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher and will eventually be offering classes and workshops. I’m very passionate about this. It’s such a natural and organic way for me to grow and deepen my purpose. I have a strong desire to help others in their healing journey. To commit to your well-being and healing isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s hard work but it’s also even more rewarding. Mindfulness and meditation are wonderful tools to assist you in the healing journey towards a heart-centered and soul-led life.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I learned these lessons after I found my purpose. Whether it’s for your career, your healing journey or something else, I find that they generally apply to all aspects of life.
First, identify your ego voice and your soul voice. We have both in us. The ego voice is rooted in the mind. The ego voice communicates your doubts, fears and worries. It’s the years of conditioning, other people’s opinions you think are yours and the limiting beliefs you’ve accumulated. It’s the voice that challenges your self-worth, your confidence and that screams imposter syndrome. On the other hand, the soul voice whispers to you what your heart truly desires. It comes up when you’re able to quiet the noise in your head and calm your heart. It’s the one that gives you wisdom – the “aha” moments, the dreams and the big fat YES! The soul voice is felt. You’ll know when you’re in your soul and not in your ego. There’s an undeniable harmony and peace in your heart. When you feel joy, when you get all excited and passionate, you tap into your soul. It’s the voice of purpose. Being able to differentiate the two will guide you in life – in your decision making, in your healing, in your confidence, in finding your purpose and in living a life that’s led from the heart.
The second lesson is that your triggers are an opportunity to look within and heal a pattern or belief that doesn’t serve you. In business, I tend to get triggered at a new collection launch. My imposter syndrome usually comes up and I go through moments where I question my worth as an artist and navigate fears of rejection and failure. I like to take time to reflect after each new release and assess what went well and what areas of improvement are needed. It’s important to celebrate the victories, no matter how big or small they are, and to be grateful for all the hard work you’ve put in. It’s equally important to be kind and gentle with yourself as you discover what your triggers are trying to tell you. If I’m feeling really uncomfortable, I like to journal. We don’t realize it but our core wounds determine so many of the decisions we make and the actions we take. For example, wounds around self-worth or fear of failure can determine how much you charge in your business. In relationships, a fear of rejection could prevent you from moving towards someone you love or a fear of abandonment could make you stay in a toxic situation. Find a safe way to explore and understand your triggers. Approach what you’re feeling with curiosity. Be patient and kind to yourself. Take time to heal your inner child. Ask for professional help if needed.
Lastly, you don’t need to have it all figured out. It starts with a simple yes and a willingness to follow your intuition. Intuition is powerful. It’s that gut feeling, that inner knowing that follows the callings of the heart. It’s the soul voice. Intuition leads you to your purpose. You have to trust it and let things unfold naturally. Every day, take a step forward. Sometimes it’s a big leap; sometimes it’s a baby step. Make it a habit to do 1% better than the day before. Check in with yourself regularly by taking long, deep breaths. It’s easy to get caught up with everyday life, not realizing that our thoughts are ruminating in the past or worrying about the future. Pausing for a moment and bringing your awareness back to presence stops all that noise. It creates room for stillness and that’s when your intuition comes through with the wisdom that already exists within you. New doors open along the way and opportunities emerge. When I first found my purpose, I just wanted to paint and talk about mindfulness. It was my way of sharing a bit of calm and peace through my art. I never thought that it would lead to a desire to professionally teach mindfulness and meditation. That’s now a big part of my purpose and how I can contribute to the world’s healing.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
First, acknowledge that you’re feeling overwhelmed. It’s a very simple act and by doing so, you’re bringing awareness to what you’re feeling instead of suppressing it. Slow down and pause. Ask yourself what it is you need at this very moment. Let your soul voice communicate with you. Going for a walk, doing a quick yoga or meditation session and journaling are good options to clear your mind. Listen to your body. Movement helps. Shake it off by doing some exercise, EFT tapping or simply dancing. Sometimes, a good cry is exactly what’s needed. It’s easy to be hard on yourself or feel guilty when you’re overwhelmed. The way you talk to yourself matters. Be kind and gentle with yourself. Finally, the most effective method I found is to simply breathe. Take deep and mindful breaths to calm your overactive mind and to ground yourself back to the present moment. In short, having a mindfulness practice that’s tailored to your needs and lifestyle is a wonderful resource. I can’t recommend it enough!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.johannachaw.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johannachawstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johannachawstudio/
Image Credits
Johanna Chaw Studio
