How Exploring the Unseen Parts of Ourselves Leads to Real Change |Yulia Lisle, Haejin Yoo, and Ayleen Wolfe
Art has always been more than paint on a canvas—it’s a way of telling stories, processing emotions, and reconnecting with who we are at our core. In this feature, we bring together the voices and journeys of three incredible women—Yulia Lisle, Haejin Yoo, and Ayleen Wolfe—whose lives and work remind us of the deep connection between creativity, healing, and authenticity. We will look at how creativity can spark real change and help us find ourselves again.
Through vibrant florals, surreal figures, and expressive brushstrokes, these artists open up about the personal experiences that shaped their creative paths. Each of them began their journey from very different places—one from the Ukrainian seaside, one from Seoul with a scientific background, and one from a busy life as a lawyer and mother. Yet they all share something powerful: the courage to embrace vulnerability and use art as a tool for self-discovery and transformation.
In reading their stories, we learn that art isn’t always about mastering technique or gaining recognition. It’s often about finding peace, reclaiming identity, and offering something honest to the world. These artists show us that the beauty in their work lies not just in what we see, but in what we feel.
So, whether you’re an artist or someone seeking inspiration, their journeys might stir something in you, too. Let’s dive into their stories.
Yulia Lisle’s Journey of Growth, Motherhood, and Healing
Born in Odesa, Ukraine, and now based in the UK, Yulia Lisle has always been drawn to the colours of life. Her childhood memories of the seaside city—its vivid textures, warm community, and natural beauty—deeply inform her art today. What began as a love for drawing became a career as an art teacher, where she spent years nurturing the creative spirit of young children.
But Yulia’s story didn’t stop in the classroom. After relocating to the UK, she embraced painting full-time, finding her voice in vibrant floral compositions that are anything but decorative. Her flowers tell stories. They speak of resilience, femininity, and emotional transformation. Each petal and brushstroke reflects her life—her heritage, role as a mother, and exploration of self.
“I paint from intuition,” Yulia shares. “Each piece evolves naturally. I often don’t plan too much—just let the process lead me. Nature, the strength I see in flowers, and the small, beautiful moments in life are constant sources of inspiration.”
Yulia’s passion for art has also led her to the world of art therapy. For the past five years, she has helped other women embark on their creative journeys, guiding them to reconnect with their inner voice and discover healing through expression. For Yulia, art is more than visual—it’s soulful.
I hope my work provokes thought and the appreciation of colors. Like food and clothes, a favorite thing.
To learn more about Yulia Lisle, click on the links below.
Haejin Yoo’s Raw, Surreal Exploration of Identity
If Yulia paints blooming petals, Haejin Yoo paints what’s hidden under the surface. Born in Seoul, raised in Australia, and now living in Sydney, Haejin’s art digs deep into the complex emotions we often bury. Self-taught and fiercely honest, she brings raw vulnerability to life in her surreal expressionist work.
Her breakthrough came later in life. Though she always felt a calling toward creativity, societal expectations and a scientific career path led her elsewhere—until, with the support of her husband, she fully embraced her identity as an artist.
“I had to silence the voice that said I wasn’t good enough,” Haejin says. “I’ve struggled with impostor syndrome, but I now realise that honesty in art is what connects us.”
Her series “Woman in the Bath” captures intimate, quiet moments when we’re most ourselves—no masks, no expectations. This series became a milestone in her career, earning international recognition and being featured at The Other Art Fair London 2024, where one of her works was displayed on a towering banner in central London.
Haejin’s art often breaks the boundaries of the canvas. She incorporates carpentry, textiles, and even spray paint into her pieces, aiming to “breathe life into the surface” and create an immersive experience. Her accolades include being named one of Saatchi Art’s Rising Stars and earning 2nd place in the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 2024.
Her work is bold and introspective, pushing us to acknowledge the emotions we hide and inviting us into a space of collective vulnerability.
My goal is to relieve viewers by letting them connect with genuine moments of private thoughts—a journey into our identities.
To learn more about Haejin Yoo, visit the links below.
Ayleen Wolfe’s Journey from Law to Canvas
For Ayleen Wolfe, painting was the path home. Born in the U.S. to Cuban parents and now based in Miami, Ayleen’s life took many turns before she landed fully in the art world. She was a lawyer, a mom of two, and someone who had always drawn in the margins of life. But after the birth of her second child, she began to feel the weight of losing herself in the roles of “professional” and “caregiver.”
“I was struggling with baby blues,” Ayleen recalls. “In the quiet of naptime, I started painting again. At first, it was flamingos and flowers—but it quickly became a way to reconnect with who I was.”
Since 2018, she has committed herself to a consistent painting practice. Her bright, expressive style reflects her Cuban roots and inner emotional landscape. Painting became not just a creative outlet, but a sanctuary—a place where everyday life’s demands faded and joy took centre stage.
Ayleen’s story also speaks to the courage it takes to be seen. “The hardest part is showing your work when it feels so personal,” she says. “But I’ve learned that vulnerability is where the magic happens.”
Today, she works from her Miami studio where the light pours in and life slows down. Her art is intuitive and abstract, with colour palettes that radiate optimism and depth. She invites viewers into a world where healing happens one brushstroke at a time.
The most rewarding aspect of my art journey is that regardless of whether a work is recognized or purchased, the journey itself has given me more than any money could buy. I have learned so much about myself.
To learn more about Ayleen, click on the links below.
After spending time with the stories and work of Yulia Lisle, Haejin Yoo, and Ayleen Wolfe, one thing becomes crystal clear: art is deeply personal, endlessly influential, and a quiet kind of bravery. Each of these women welcomed us into their world, not just through their canvases, but through their truths.
They’ve shown us that creativity isn’t always born from joy—it often grows out of challenge, change, and the longing to make sense of it all. Yulia finds peace in colour and flowers after war and loss. Haejin’s surreal self-portraits unravel identity and emotion with quiet intensity. Ayleen uses bold movement and abstraction to process motherhood, transition, and selfhood.
Together, their journeys remind us that art is not about perfection—it’s about expression. It’s about honouring who we are, where we come from, and what we’ve lived through. And maybe most importantly, their work teaches us that we’re never truly alone in how we feel. Someone, somewhere, is painting through it too.
Stay tuned to the Women in Arts Network for more stories amplifying diverse, powerful contemporary art voices. Visit our website and follow us on Instagram.
