Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Xandria Maurer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Xandria, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
The journey to finding my purpose began on a Saturday evening in February. I was sitting on the couch when I suddenly started to feel unwell. I told my partner I was heading to bed because of how bad I felt. When I went to brush my teeth, I could barely lift my toothbrush — it felt as though I had just done the most intense triceps workout of my life. As I walked into the bedroom and laid down, it felt like someone was trying to rip my insides out of my chest. That’s when I texted my partner to bring me some aspirin.
When he came into the room, he asked what was wrong, and I explained how I was feeling. Throughout my life, I had always been considered very healthy, with a deep love for fitness and a strong commitment to working out. so what I was experiencing was completely out of the ordinary. He suggested checking my blood pressure, and it came back very high. I insisted that couldn’t be right, so we took it again — this time it was even higher. Convinced the device was broken, my partner tested his own blood pressure and it was perfectly normal. Realizing something was seriously wrong, he took me to the emergency room. At that point, I didn’t even fully comprehend what was happening.
At the ER, the medical team quickly began preparations. IVs were inserted, and they started checking my heart’s troponin levels. Initially, everything came back normal, so they waited about an hour and tested again. This time, the levels were off the charts. I was in the middle of a severe cardiac episode — a heart attack.
They quickly prepared me for transport to the main hospital, where the cardiac catheterization team had been called in. As we arrived, the last thing I remember was overhearing the driver quietly say to his colleague, “She seems like a really nice lady. I hope she makes it.”
Hours later, I was wheeled back for the cardiac procedure. As I lay on the table, I remember thinking: If this is it, I really have no regrets — except for one. I had always wanted to paint, and I had never even tried. It seemed like such a waste, to want to do something and not even try.
The procedure was successful. The next morning, the doctor explained that I had experienced an episode of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy — a temporary weakening of the heart muscle triggered by extreme stress. I learned that my arteries were clear and that the episode had been entirely stress-induced. In that moment, I knew that if I wanted to truly live, I would have to leave my current very stressful corporate work environment that had weighed on me for so long and set out on a new path.
Once I was released from the hospital, I spent the next several months preparing for a new life. I still remember the day I walked into Hobby Lobby and thought to myself, I wonder what artists need. I began filling my cart with canvases, paintbrushes, an easel, a palette, and paints. When I got to the checkout counter, the cashier smiled and said, “So, I see you’re an artist.” I replied, “No— but I’m going to be!”
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
The arts and nature have always held a deep place in my life. In the past, I had performed as an actor and dancer in several Opera productions, immersed in movement and storytelling. Whenever I traveled, I sought out museums, symphonies, and quiet moments behind the lens, capturing the beauty of wildlife and the natural world. But painting—painting was something entirely new. It asked me to slow down, to see differently, and to awaken imagination in a way I had never experienced before. Hence why my website/brand is AwakenImagination.com.
For me, painting is about more than putting brush to canvas. It’s about evoking the emotion of a memory—an overwhelming feeling, a sense of movement and intuition that guides each stroke.
People often ask how I learned to paint, and my answer is always the same: “It’s not me — it’s God.” I know that might sound unusual, but it’s the only explanation I have. I’ve never taken a class or had formal training. Painting has always been inside me—quietly waiting to be set free. It became the path through which I could truly awaken imagination, both in myself and in others.
I work in the tradition of classical fine art, focusing on landscapes and the natural world around us. There’s something extraordinary about the beauty we so often overlook in the rush of everyday life.
When someone pauses in front of one of my paintings and says, “This reminds me of my childhood,” and begins to tell me about the memories it brings back, I know the painting has fulfilled its purpose. In that moment, it becomes a bridge—connecting someone to a distant memory they hold dear. It’s a kind of time travel, a return to a moment filled with joy, reflection, and meaning.
Right now, I’m developing a new collection titled Into the Heart of Appalachia, which explores the quiet majesty of the Appalachian Mountain region in the United States. This ancient wilderness seems to whisper the secrets of the past to those who take the time to listen. There’s a kind of magic in a winding stream as it dances over timeworn rocks—each one silently telling its story to those willing to look beyond the surface.
This November, I’m honored to serve as the Artist-in-Residence at the acclaimed Nemacolin Resort in Pennsylvania, home to the fifth-largest privately held art collection in the world. Walking among works by Andy Warhol, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Ed Dwight Jr. is both humbling and inspiring. To be part of such a vibrant artistic legacy is a privilege that continually fuels my creative journey.
When I take on a commissioned piece, I begin by listening—really listening—to the person in front of me. I want to understand not just what they envision, but who they are. My goal is to find a meaningful connection—something that evokes a treasured memory or emotion. If I can feel that connection, I know I can create something that resonates. If I don’t, I trust myself to step back—because every painting I create must be grounded in genuine emotion and intention.
My hope is that Into the Heart of Appalachia invites viewers to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the timeless beauty that surrounds us—and perhaps even awaken imagination within them, filled with wonder, memory, and belonging.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
As I reflect on where I am today, there are three lessons that have truly propelled me forward.
1. It’s okay to fail or be broken.
If you take a long stick, it may look strong, but you can usually snap it easily with your bare hands. Yet, as that stick gets shorter, it becomes harder to break — its strength becomes denser, more concentrated. After my heart attack, things I once thought were important suddenly lost their meaning. As my focus narrowed, a whole new world opened up — one that, paradoxically, is now far bigger and more impactful than I ever imagined.
2. Accept the decisions you’ve made.
Whether good or bad, every choice is a step on your journey. These decisions shape you and provide a roadmap — a clear line from where you’ve been to where you want to go. Every experience teaches you something. Some lessons show you what to avoid; others highlight what’s worth repeating again and again.
3. Value kindness and compassion.
Surround yourself with people who lead with kindness and carry genuine compassion in their hearts. These are the individuals who uplift others not because they expect something in return, but because it is simply who they are. Seek out those who encourage, inspire, and bring light into the lives of others — and when you find them, cherish them.
Don’t waste your time or energy on people or environments that drain your spirit, diminish your dreams, or cloud your mind with negativity. Life is too short, and your energy too precious, to be spent on people who are not invested in your growth and well-being. Instead, pour yourself into the relationships that are reciprocal — into those who are willing to stand by you, walk beside you, and lend a hand when the road gets steep.
Kindness and compassion are not just traits — they are cornerstones of meaningful connection. When you align yourself with people who embody these values, you create a foundation of trust, encouragement, and mutual respect. These are the relationships that will sustain you, enrich you, and propel you forward on life’s journey.
And remember, as much as you seek kindness and compassion in others, strive to offer it generously yourself. In doing so, you attract the very community you hope to build — one rooted in empathy, grace, and unwavering support.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
I am spending every moment creating art intended to reach into the hearts of others — art that not only evokes cherished memories but also sparks reflection and healing. My journey has taught me that life can change in an instant. After surviving a stress-induced heart event, I live every day with the understanding that tomorrow is never guaranteed. The fallout from that experience is something I quietly carry with me, but it has sharpened my focus and deepened my purpose.
I am devoting the coming years to placing my artwork into the hands and homes of as many people as possible. Not just as paintings on a wall, but as touchstones of beauty, hope, and remembrance — pieces that inspire people to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what truly matters. Through my work, I am calling attention to the silent but serious dangers of stress, especially in the lives of women. We often carry burdens quietly, believing that endurance is strength, when in fact, the greatest strength is knowing when to pause and care for ourselves.
I am painting landscapes that remind people of simpler moments, forgotten dreams, and the quiet elegance of nature. I stand in galleries and private exhibitions, sharing not just my art but my story — encouraging others to release what weighs them down and embrace what gives them life. And most importantly, I surround myself with people who uplift and inspire me, pouring kindness, compassion, and gratitude into every relationship and every canvas.
I am making every year count — not measuring my life by time, but by the depth of impact. To me, success is not accolades, but in the lives touched and the hearts stirred through my art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://awakenimagination.com
- Instagram: @awakenimagination.com
Image Credits
I own all images
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
