Art Helps Us Heal, Grow, and Find Light Even in the Dark Times| Mandi (Mahnissa Maneerut)

Mandi (Mahnissa Maneerut) is an artist, writer, and Shadow Coach who believes in the power of creativity to heal. In this interview, Mandi shares her journey—how love, loss, and personal struggles shaped her art. She talks about the pain of losing a close creative partner, the lessons she learned from Vincent van Gogh and Lilith, and how collage became a way to rebuild from brokenness. She also reflects on the beauty of collaboration, even when it doesn’t last forever. Through her story, we learn that art isn’t just about making something beautiful—it’s about self-acceptance, growth, and finding light even in dark times.

Mandi (Mahnissa Maneerut) is an artist, writer, and Shadow Coach who explores the dance between light and shadow, creation and loss, vulnerability and strength. Growing up in Thailand, she found refuge in writing, using words to navigate mental health struggles in a culture where such conversations were often silenced. Her book Depression Diary became a voice for mental health awareness, but soon, words were not enough. Turning to collage and painting, Mandi embraced visual storytelling to express emotions that were too raw for language. Influenced by Vincent van Gogh’s tenderness and Lilith’s unapologetic strength, she creates art that invites healing and self-acceptance. She helps others see beauty in their brokenness through exhibitions and coaching and transforms pain into resilience.

1. How would you describe your art style, and what inspired you to become an artist?

My artwork embodies movement—a waltz between light and shadow, order and chaos, destruction and renewal. I explore transformation and healing through acrylic painting and collage, symbolizing tearing and reassembling through shredded pieces and layered textures. Collage elements represent resilience, while flowing paint reflects emotional volatility. My work is deeply influenced by Jungian psychology, where active imagination guides my process of unlocking hidden emotions and memories. Each piece becomes a dialogue between my inner child, shadow self, and higher self, creating a space for connection and introspection. Through intentional chaos, I invite viewers to embrace imperfection, seeing art as a catalyst for growth and self-discovery.

“Follow Your Passion; It Will Never Disappoint You. To Love Is to Let Go, and to Create Is to Survive.”

Mandi (Mahnissa Maneerut)

2. Can you tell us about a particular piece of art that holds special meaning for you?

My journey as an artist began with my earliest memory of color—a vivid contrast to the chaos of my childhood. Growing up in a dysfunctional home, art felt like an impossible dream, so I chose writing as my first creative outlet. By 19, I had gained national recognition for my fiction and later published Depression Diary, raising mental health awareness in Thailand. But the dream of making art never left me.

That dream reignited when I discovered Line Webtoon, where I explored visual storytelling. A friend I met through the platform profoundly influenced my artistic journey, encouraging me to embrace my creativity. When we parted ways, the loss became a turning point. I turned to collage, a practice I named Cut and Tear, symbolizing emotional and physical fragmentation and healing.

Love and loss shaped my art. Vincent van Gogh taught me the resilience of love and creation, while Lilith symbolized self-reclamation. Through shadow work and inner child healing, art became my way of navigating grief and transformation. Vincent’s words, “There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people,” resonate deeply. Love, like art, can heal, connect, and illuminate the cracks within us. Through my work, I hope to create spaces for others to find connection, beauty and hope in their stories.

3. Describe a memorable experience or project that significantly impacted your career.

My journey as an artist began with my earliest memory of color—a contrast to the chaos of my childhood. With art feeling impossible, I turned to writing, gaining national recognition by 19 and later publishing Depression Diary to raise mental health awareness in Thailand.

Art again found me through Line Webtoon, where a friend’s encouragement ignited my creativity. After our paths diverged, I turned to collage—Cut and Tear—to heal. Inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s resilience and Lilith’s self-reclamation, my work explores love, loss, and transformation. Through art, I create spaces for connection, beauty, and hope.

4. What challenges have you faced as an artist, and how did you overcome them?

Losing a dear friend and creative collaborator was one of the most devastating challenges I’ve faced. Her sudden absence left me questioning everything—our shared dreams, my artistic identity, and my ability to create without her. Grief consumed me, making even art feel out of reach.

Therapy and shadow work helped me confront the pain, uncovering deeper wounds of abandonment and self-doubt. Lilith became a symbol of self-reclamation, while Vincent van Gogh’s resilience reminded me that art is an act of love—even when born from sorrow.

Letting go of our shared project was the hardest decision, but it became an act of love for myself. Collage and painting became my refuge, helping me transform pain into something new. I’ve learned that loss doesn’t break us—it shapes us, carving space for growth and light. Letting go wasn’t an end; it was the beginning of reclaiming my narrative and embracing art as a path to healing.

Create because it is a way of honoring your truth. And create because it reminds you, again and again, that even in the darkest moments, there is light to be found.

Mandi (Mahnissa Maneerut)

5. How do you approach collaboration with other artists or creatives?

For me, collaboration is more than just creating art—it’s about building meaningful relationships and shared experiences. It’s a space where emotions, ideas, and passion blend to form something beyond individual achievement. My exhibition, Turn Your Scars into Stars, exemplified this, transforming pain into beauty and fostering deep connections among artists and audiences.

However, I’ve also learned how fragile collaboration can be. The loss of a creative partnership once left me questioning my openness and trust. The grief was immense, but through healing—leaning on my support system, therapy, and introspection—I realized that even painful endings shape our growth. Inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s resilience and Lilith’s strength, I embraced collage to rebuild, turning broken pieces into something new.

Collaboration is unpredictable—sometimes messy and heartbreaking, but also transformative and magical. The love and trust we invest in it matter, even when things don’t work out. For me, art is more than creation; it’s about connection, healing, and reminding others that even in darkness, beauty exists.

Mandi’s story shows that art isn’t just about creating something beautiful—it’s about healing, growing, and finding strength in tough times. She turns pain into something meaningful through writing, painting, and collage, reminding us that even in our most challenging moments, we can create something powerful. To learn more about Mandi, click here.