Meet Yannis

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yannis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yannis , thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re very focused on here – improving our ability to make decisions. Everyday, we’re faced with decisions that can impact the future of our careers, businesses, relationships and more and so one of the most impactful areas for personal development, in our view, is decision-making. Can you talk to us about how you developed or improved your decision-making skills?

This is truly a challenging and intricate question, and I appreciate you bringing it up. I see decision-making as a daily practice that requires mindfulness, as it can often be anything but straightforward. For me, like any life skill, I cultivate my decision-making abilities through a process of trial, learning, unlearning and repeating. Most importantly, it’s also about staying connected to my core values, purpose, integrity and tuning into how they resonate within me. I take time to slow down, breathe, stop in silence with the questions that I want to make a decision, explore alternatives and then, I check with my whole body. I love listening to my body, and I always trust my intuition. Always, with love, empathy and compassion I try to be honest with my decisions. After that, I learn from each of my decisions, the good ones and the bad ones; it’s an important part of my journey and personal growth. And like my favourite author Maya Angelou said: You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I was born in Baracoa, in the vibrant east of Cuba, a land with dark green mountains, pristine rivers, stunning beaches, and the best chocolate. I then grew up in Vedado, Havana, the capital of Cuba—a multicultural jungle pulsating with life, where music and culture are woven into every brick. These two cities and ways of life have profoundly shaped the person and artist I am today.
Now, I’m in the multicultural and chaotic city of Toronto, Canada, where I wholeheartedly embrace my diverse ancestral lineage and multiethnic identity—a harmonious mix of Caribbean Taino, Spanish, Cuban, African, Arab, and Chinese. All of this is beautifully reflected in my daily art practice, writing, photography and community builder.

As a multidimensional creative being and a very curious person, I love to learn something new and explore new art techniques. In recent years, I have incorporated mindfulness practice into all my professional work. I had over two decades of experience as a certified Reiki Practitioner, Forest Bathing and Mindfulness Teacher Training Certificate. Integrate mindfulness practices with art-making, through a daily, mindful lens-based approach, I aim to reveal the captivating essence of the natural world and stories.
Recently, I started to explore traditional paper collage, paper-making, and new joyful approaches to mixed media–aggregating found materials like fabrics, personal objects and nature found objects. My most recent series, Reminiscencia, is a vivid exploration of memory, language and emotion. In this heartfelt collection, I delve into themes of nostalgia, love, and resilience. Using small objects from my homeland, Cuba—such as my maternal grandmother’s gifts of Polymita picta shells—I have created sculptures and boxes that transform cherished items into powerful portals for healing my past. This series embodies my personal and spiritual journey as I navigate the complexities of saudade—a profound emotional state linked to longing—through my experiences as a mother, immigrant, and artist in Canada. My art and life are harmoniously intertwined in all that I create. As a mindful nature photographer and writer, my holistic approach incorporates stillness, mindfulness and awareness of our surroundings in nature, which helps me stay grounded during uncertain times. One of my artwork of this series was published in Polyglot Magazine Issue 15: Daaira — The Polyglot Hub.

As a photographer, I concentrate on minimalist photographic storytelling by capturing ephemeral landscapes, patterns, and pareidolias (faces) found in nature. Every day, I embark on a mindful journey with my camera, transforming my walks into personal meditations. This practice encourages me to slow down, observe my surroundings, cultivate patience, and fully savour the present moment. This is my ongoing theme. I’m working now on a new series that will be exhibited around July 2026. I recently published an article in Canadian Photography Magazine. Vol.3.No.3. Fall 2025, about The Art of Mindful Nature Photography: A Contemplative Journey as an Immigrant in Canada.

Another part of my daily work is dedicated to writing, researching, and creating a healthy and meaningful art community. As an arts-based workshop facilitator, I have produced over 100 bilingual (Spanish-English) community-based art programs for children and families in Toronto since 2016. I host and produce a bi-monthly bilingual podcast, The Yannis Lobaina Podcast “We Should Talk”.
For me, being an artist and offering my creative writing workshops and art programs has an incredible ability to bring hope, positive change, and foster peace in the community. This is why I founded AlbART Global Collective – to create a global community that encourages creativity and self-expression through creative writing and visual storytelling art programs. I already curated a group art exhibition for 2024 and a well-being workshop, and we received a Local Leadership Grant – City of Toronto, 2024.

At 47 years old, I am dedicated to aligning my artistic work with my philosophy of living, achieving a balanced approach that authentically represents me as both a mother and an artist. My art and life are seamlessly intertwined in everything I create. This holistic approach embraces stillness, mindfulness, and an awareness of the beauty in nature, grounding me during uncertain times. With purpose in mind, I strive to inspire and uplift others as well.

For more about my work, connect with me and participate in my creative offerings. You can join me here:
Thanks so much,

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Honesty, Curiosity and Hope.

My best advice is to never give up on your dreams, even when you encounter many detours along the way or when others tell you that your goals are impossible. Trust in yourself and your ability to make your visions come true. Nurture your body, mind and soul with love. Research and study. Embrace the journey with joy, fairness and courage.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When those overwhelming feelings come knocking at my door, I find it essential to take a moment for myself. I step away to breathe slowly and deeply, allowing my mind to settle. Mindful breathing exercises and gentle movements like Qigong help me reconnect with my body. Sometimes, I simply turn on my favourite music from the 70s dancing around the room. I also find joy in gardening, nurturing my plants, and watching them grow.

If I allow more time, I adore taking long, mindful walks on the trails or in the nearby park. A long, soothing shower or engaging in creative activities brings me peace. One of my daily practices involves art journaling, where I find comfort in expressing my thoughts. Writing it all down helps me unload the pressure I feel—by listing my worries and then choosing just one to focus on, I regain a sense of control. Setting clear boundaries with my time and energy is equally important to me.

If I could offer a piece of advice, it would be to pause and gently acknowledge why you’re feeling this way. Remember to be kind to yourself—while it may sound easy, it’s something we must practice regularly. I’ve found writing to be a powerful and healing tool. Breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can make a world of difference. It’s okay to prioritize ruthlessly and say no to additional commitments. Self-care should always be a priority. And if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, please don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support; you don’t have to face this alone.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photo 1 Artist Profile by Alex Usquiano.
The rest of the photographs I’m the owner by Yannis Lobaina.

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