How they have turned grief, intuition, and adventure into meaningful art | Tara Harris, Djamila Fierek, and Esther Kelly
What happens when life takes an unexpected turn, and you meet it with a paintbrush in hand? In this article, we hear from three artists—Tara Harris, Djamila Fierek, and Esther Kelly—who have each used creativity as a way to stay grounded through change, loss, healing, and discovery. Whether it’s Tara returning to painting after years in education, Djamila letting go of control and trusting her intuition, or Esther finding new meaning in her move from the Netherlands to Alaska, their stories remind us that making art is often about finding a way through.
Each artist invites us into their world, not with grand declarations, but through honest conversations about what it means to create during uncertain times, how simple materials or quiet rituals can carry big emotions, and how showing up for the process can lead to unexpected joy. Their journeys are filled with curiosity, courage, and the quiet belief that creativity can help us keep going—even when we don’t have it all figured out.
Tara Harris on Mark-Making, Memory, and Finding Her Way Back
Tara Harris didn’t expect to come back to painting. With a background in printmaking and a career in education, she had long championed creativity in the classroom, but her studio practice took a backseat for years. It wasn’t until 2023, following the loss of a loved one and an increase in caregiving duties, that something shifted. Art became a kind of lifeline.
Tara describes her process as intuitive. She starts with simple marks and builds up layers, allowing the composition to grow gradually. She fixes each layer with acrylic gloss medium, creating a sense of depth and texture. It’s a way to both reveal and protect what lies beneath—a quiet nod to her emotions and the stories behind the paint.
Inspired by the fluid lines of Korean art, Tara finds calm in the act of creating. “I take inspiration from the quiet inner harmony in those marks,” she shares. Her work has found its way into exhibitions across the UK, including the Royal Cambrian Academy and the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. She’s also being recognised as an Emerging Woman Artist by the Arts to Hearts Project.
Through her practice, Tara reconnects not only with herself but with the people she has lost. “It helps me feel close to them,” she says. Her upcoming exhibition celebrates the life and work of surrealist painter Emmy Bridgewater, weaving past and present in a tribute to lives lived—and remembered.
I take an intuitive approach and the element of surprise makes creating art fulfilling. Feeling my way through a piece until I am happy with its visual energy, the titles act as the final piece of the puzzle.
To learn more about Tara, click on the links below.
Djamila Fierek on Spirituality, Spontaneity, and the Magic in Everyday Objects
Born in Wiesbaden and now splitting her time between Munich and Arizona, Djamila Fierek’s story is full of colour, spontaneity, and spiritual curiosity. “I started to paint when I was four years old,” she tells us. With support from her parents and early training in various techniques, it was clear from the beginning that Djamila was meant to create.
Today, she works with recycled materials and bold colour palettes. Her pieces often begin without a plan. “I trust the process. I never really know what’s going to happen when I start,” she explains. This openness to surprise and change is what gives her work such energy. For Djamila, art isn’t just about making something beautiful—it’s about tuning in to her frequency, letting her spiritual and emotional energy flow through her hands.
What’s most striking is how she transforms overlooked or discarded items into thoughtful compositions. “There’s always something new to discover,” she says. And this philosophy doesn’t just apply to materials—it extends to life itself. Whether she’s painting, exploring desert landscapes, or delving into the unseen layers of her identity, Djamila invites us to slow down, listen inward, and let go of control.
Through my art, I explore and express the core beliefs and values that my spirituality teaches me. Whether it’s the concept of unity, love, or the soul’s transcendence, these ideas find their way into my work, allowing me to communicate my spiritual journey visually.
To learn more about Djamila, visit the links below.
Esther Kelly on Bold Choices, Travel, and Finding Her Way to Alaska
Esther Kelly’s journey begins in the Netherlands, but it spans far beyond. Her life reads like a series of bold steps: from restoring ancient church frescoes to working in commercial sign painting, and from the fast roads of Germany to the wide skies of Alaska, where she now lives and paints.
She describes herself as someone who has always been drawn to extremes. “Travelling and exploring is in my DNA,” she says. That spirit of discovery is easy to see in her work, which is full of colour, geometry, and grounded movement. Her pieces take inspiration from everyday moments—like driving to the store—but they carry a sense of wonder that elevates the ordinary into something worth pausing for.
After years of teaching and painting in the sign industry, Esther eventually opened her own business in Alaska. Her work now incorporates bold lines and graphic elements, offering a visual language that’s both comforting and energetic. “If you know how to find the North Star,” she tells us, “you know where you are and how to get back home. You will never be lost.”
Esther’s approach to art is methodical yet adventurous. Whether she’s flying planes or building a painting, she keeps her focus on the horizon, always ready for what comes next.
My artwork reflects my bold and adventurous spirit. My strong lines and vibrant colors represent the energy and joy I bring to each painting I create.
To learn more about Esther, click on the links below.
While their techniques and influences vary, what connects Tara, Djamila, and Esther is how they each use art to explore, heal, and grow. Tara’s work is rooted in memory and gentle experimentation. Djamila’s art flows from intuition and spiritual energy. Esther brings a bold clarity and rhythm shaped by movement and place. Together, their stories remind us that art isn’t about getting it perfect—it’s about showing up, being open to change, and finding joy in the act of creating.
These women show us what it means to turn real life—grief, joy, transition, and adventure—into something lasting. Through every brushstroke, mark, or recycled material, they build bridges between themselves and their viewers. And in doing so, they give us all permission to explore the messiness and magic of being human.
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