How they Found Meaning in Petals, Photographs, and Paint|Miquela Raiche, Juliana Naufel, and Jeannine Zambrano
What happens when artists slow down enough to honestly notice the world around them—the flowers at their feet, a faded family photograph, the light hitting a leaf just right? In this feature, three remarkable women—Miquela Raiche, Juliana Naufel, and Jeannine Zambrano—open up about how they’ve found beauty, healing, and meaning in the everyday.
While unique, their creative journeys are all rooted in something deeply human: a desire to connect with nature, memory, others, and themselves. From petals arranged into soulful portraits to vintage photos stitched with hope to paintings of quiet, familiar moments, these women show us that art doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful.
Speaking with them, we’ve learned that creativity often blooms from unexpected places—a pandemic, a walk outside, a moment of grief. They’ve reminded us that being an artist isn’t just about making something beautiful—it’s about honouring the small things, creating space for emotion, and turning everyday life into something worth pausing for.
Their stories are about transformation, resilience, and the quiet courage it takes to share something personal with the world. So settle in—you’re about to meet three artists who prove that meaning can be found in the most delicate details.
Exploring the Beauty of Nature with Miquela Raiche’s Palette of Petals
When Miquela Raiche moved from Canada to Northern California in 2016, she didn’t know it would begin a new chapter in her creative life. With a background in interior design and a love for vintage home goods, Miquela already had an eye for aesthetic detail. But it was during the pandemic, while raising three small children, that she stumbled upon something unexpectedly magical: the power of flowers.
“It was a bit of an accident, really,” she tells us. “Creativity has always been in my life, but it wasn’t until I began creating floral portraits during the pandemic that I started seeing myself as an artist.”
That moment of creative curiosity soon turned into a full-blown passion. Participating in an online challenge that involved making faces out of foliage, Miquela crafted her first portrait using only materials found at her feet. It was a breakthrough that connected her to nature in an entirely new way.
Her solo exhibition “Palette of Petals” in the summer of 2024 brought her work full circle. It showcased delicate floral arrangements created without glue or fasteners—only the tender balance of nature itself. Unsurprisingly, her work has captured international attention, from the Van Gogh Museum’s online features to the cover of Suboart magazine.
Miquela’s deep-rooted inspiration stems from family. Her maternal grandmother, a master gardener, and her paternal grandparents, both artists in their own right, gave her the foundation for a life of creativity. “I love discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary,” she shares. That philosophy defines her art—ephemeral, heartfelt, and observant.
I allow nature to find its balance. In a single breath, everything can shift, reminding me that all things are temporary, change is inevitable, and we should embrace every opportunity to appreciate what’s before us.
To learn more about Miquela, click on the links below.
Juliana Naufel: Embroidering Hope and Healing into the Past
Where Miquela draws from petals and place, Juliana Naufel reaches into the past—literally. The Brazilian artist and art therapist uses embroidery on vintage photographs to explore personal memory, grief, and healing. Each piece is more than just art—it’s a stitched story of emotional restoration.
“I found my voice through embroidery in 2016,” Juliana explains. “I didn’t know then that I was using art to help me heal, to create new realities for myself.”
Her work has been exhibited in over ten countries and featured everywhere from Times Square to Create! Magazine. It brings a powerful intersection of therapy and creativity. Whether working with found photos or ones passed down in her family, Juliana layers soft, vibrant stitches onto fading black-and-white images, breathing new life and meaning into them.
Through her practice, she’s also helped others find healing. Over 200 participants in her workshops have echoed the therapeutic power of embroidered photographs. This led her to become a certified Art Therapist and write “Stitching Photographs: A Powerful Act,” the first book of its kind.
Her message is universal and deeply moving: “No matter how hard our past was, there’s always a chance to move forward with grace. My art is a visual love letter to the world.”
Juliana’s journey is also a masterclass in self-determination. By creating her opportunities, she’s built a sustainable art career while lifting others, especially young Latina and queer creatives, to believe in their voices.
We’re all here to connect with others, to feel that we belong, to honor how unique each of us is, and to use our gifts to make the world a better place for ourselves and those around us.
To learn more about Juliana, visit the links below.
Jeannine Zambrano: Realism Rooted in Reverence for the Everyday
Jeannine Zambrano, a realist painter from Monterrey, Mexico, also believes in the power of the seemingly small. With a keen eye for detail and a deep connection to nature, Jeannine’s oil paintings invite viewers to pause, reflect, and see the beauty hidden in life’s quiet corners.
“Nature and everyday objects inspire me. I find moments of stillness and beauty in the things we often overlook,” she says.
Her piece Queen Magnolia, for example, is more than a painting—it’s a tribute to resilience. Every brushstroke reflects the strength and elegance she finds in nature and within herself.
Trained in graphic design, Jeannine returned to her artistic roots more fully after raising her four children. Now, her days are devoted to her painting practice, and her efforts have been widely recognised. She’s been a finalist in International Artist magazine and has held local and international exhibitions. Her first solo show, Recuerdos, Aromas y Reflejos, marked a turning point in her career, bringing her reflections on memory, scent, and reflection to new audiences.
With features in Lines and Curves and partnerships with the Women in Arts Network and Arts to Hearts Project, Jeannine’s profile continues to rise. But at the heart of it all, her work remains intimate and grounded.
I hope to create art that resonates with viewers, encouraging them to slow down, reflect, and discover the beauty within their own surroundings.
To learn more about Jeannine, click on the links below.
Spending time with the stories of Miquela Raiche, Juliana Naufel, and Jeannine Zambrano has been like walking through a quiet garden, where every detail-every petal, thread, or brushstroke—holds a deeper meaning. Each artist has generously shared their creative processes and the personal moments and emotions that fuel their work.
Together, they’ve reminded us that art is more than just a finished piece—it reflects life’s joys, losses, memories, and small, everyday miracles. We’ve learned that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places: the wildflowers in your backyard, a photograph tucked in a drawer, or even a morning walk. Their journeys show us how art can be a form of healing, a way to reconnect with ourselves and others, and a tool for telling stories that matter.
Ultimately, their stories are about finding beauty where others might not look, honouring their roots, and embracing vulnerability as a strength. In a world that often rushes past the little things, these women remind us to slow down, pay attention, and create with heart.
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.
