How they Turned Art into a Journey of Healing and Hope | Rajul Shah, Yahel Yan, and Jen Haefeli
This week on Women in Arts Network, we’re honoured to share the stories of three talented artists: Rajul Shah, Yahel Yan, and Jen Haefeli. Their journeys show just how transformative creativity can be. Their work reminds us of art’s healing, connection, and transformation power.
Rajul revealed how mending broken pottery with gold and chakra-inspired colours helped her heal through depression and loss. At the same time, Yahel took us from her colourful childhood in Mexico to her San Diego studio, using vibrant palettes and everyday symbols to stir joy and memory.
Jen concluded our conversation by sharing how she breathes new life into found objects and bold designs to illuminate social justice issues. Together, their experiences teach us that art can heal wounds, spark connections, and give voice to causes—and that every choice of material, colour, or shape carries the power to inspire and transform.
How She Found Beauty in Brokenness
Rajul Shah blends the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi with Chakra teaching, turning cracks into golden seams of hope. She walked us through her journey of coping with depression and anxiety, explaining how pieces like Reconstruction helped her heal from miscarriage. Rajul’s spontaneous, intuitive approach—drawing inspiration from nature’s colour interactions and artists like Rothko—invites us to reflect, find peace, and embrace resilience. With her solo exhibition “Introspections in Resilience” on the horizon, she continues to craft immersive experiences that touch both the eye and the heart.
“Healing” has always been part of my aspiration. I am a firm believer in the power of Art to help heal, and I have personally benefitted from this as I have coped with Depression for 30 years and, more recently, Severe Anxiety.
To learn more about Rajul, click on the links below.
Colour, Memory, and Joy
Next, we travelled with Yahel Yan from her vibrant childhood in Mexico to her San Diego studio, where chairs become symbols of memory and emotion. Yahel’s love for colour fuels every brushstroke, and she told us how life’s highs and lows—love, loss, laughter—echo through her eclectic palettes. Her paintings aren’t just pretty pictures but stories meant to spark joy and forge meaningful connections. Through her work, Yahel shows that colour isn’t just visual—it’s deeply emotional.
I draw inspiration from life, human relationships, and emotions
To learn more about Yahel, visit the links below.
Art as a Voice for Change
Finally, we sat down with Jen Haefeli, whose upbringing was steeped in music and creativity. Jen uses found materials and bold colours to illuminate social justice issues, transforming everyday objects into powerful statements. She spoke passionately about her responsibility to use art as a tool for change, sharing how each piece builds community and sparks conversation. Her commitment to purpose-driven creativity leaves a lasting impact long after you’ve stepped away from the canvas.
While I do not create in volume, I do create with intent, and I am humbled that the energy that I place within my work is conveyed and delivered.
To learn more about Jen, click on the links below.
Together, these three artists illustrate how diverse backgrounds and personal struggles can forge unique creative philosophies. From mending broken vessels with gold, to weaving colour with memory, to harnessing art for social good, Rajul, Yahel, and Jen remind us that every mark we make carries meaning, and every story we tell through art can inspire, heal, and build bridges across our shared human experience.
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