How This Painter Returned to Painting after Years in Medicine

For the Women in Arts Network website, we sat down with Catalan painter Isabel Juanico Termes. This interview is about Isabel’s return to painting after years in medicine, the surreal worlds she builds in acrylic, and the steady, disciplined way she moves a canvas from first idea to finished work. She walks us through the spark that came three years ago, why sharing her work on Instagram opened doors to first exhibitions and a first sale, and how she gauges progress less by perfection and more by whether she has truly taken the piece as far as she can.

Isabel also talks plainly about time: great work rarely comes from leftover hours. She explains how giving her practice real space amid growing responsibilities has been essential to keep moving forward. We hear where she’s headed next (oils and larger formats), why some viewers mention Dalí, and what she wants her paintings to do: nudge us to look again at what we think is real and wander a little further into imagination. What we learned from this conversation is practical and encouraging: trust the process even when things look uncertain; make room for the work before everything else fills the day; and don’t chase a “style”, let it surface while you keep painting.

I’m an emerging Catalan artist exploring acrylic painting. My artwork is characterised by surreal, dreamlike, and fantastical scenes inspired by travels, personal experiences, and philosophical thoughts, resulting in narrative-driven, captivating compositions.

1. How did you get started in your art career?    

I returned to painting three years ago, after a long period in which my artistic side had been set aside. For many years, I was focused on studying medicine and developing my professional career, which left no space for creative expression. Eventually, a shift in my life allowed me to slow down, work independently, and travel. During this time, I experienced a profound reawakening of my creativity. Surreal images began to emerge vividly in my mind, and I felt a strong need to translate them onto canvas. Painting soon became both a refuge and a vital form of self-expression. This year, I decided to share my work publicly for the first time through Instagram. Shortly after, I was invited to participate in my first exhibition and had the rewarding experience of selling my first painting.

2. When you’re creating something new, what makes you pause and say, This is working?

I really trust the process. Even in the early stages of a painting, when things are still uncertain, I can usually sense that something is there, and that keeps me going. I often carry a clear idea of the final version in my mind, but it takes time and patience to get closer to it—and with every new painting, I hope to move a little closer to it. For me, a painting feels finished not when it’s perfect, but when I know I’ve given it everything I could.

3. How do you balance your personal life with your art career?

I strongly relate to the idea that nothing extraordinary will come from the time that’s left over from other things. This has reaffirmed for me the importance of focusing more on art. As life becomes more complex—with greater responsibilities, the prospect of building a family, and new commitments—I realised I needed to approach art with greater seriousness and intention to keep progressing and evolving. It could no longer remain something I pursued only in late-night sessions after work; instead, I felt compelled to give it professional dedication and more space. Otherwise, it might simply fade away, as it has for many who have had to step away from art due to other essential responsibilities, such as family commitments or maintaining other work.

4. How do you envision the future of your art and its impact on the world?  

I envision my art as an invitation to see beauty everywhere, to awaken imagination, and to question how we perceive reality. Through my paintings, I hope to spark curiosity and creativity, encouraging viewers to think beyond the familiar and step into symbolic worlds that reflect something within themselves. For me, art is a bridge between the visible and the imagined, and between the deeply personal and the universal. The infinite horizons and mysterious, symbolic landscapes I create are meant to open windows into worlds where reality and dreams intertwine.

Some viewers have said my work reminds them of Dalí’s—something I consider an honour, perhaps connected to our shared Catalan roots and even the coincidence of nearly sharing a birthday? Ultimately, I hope my art shows that another way of seeing reality is always possible. Sometimes I playfully express this, other times with more depth, and I embrace those contradictions because they capture the essence of being human. At the same time, I hope to continue evolving as an artist and consolidating my career, so I can dedicate myself fully to this path while allowing my work to reach and inspire more people.

5. What mediums and techniques do you primarily work with?

Currently, I’m exploring acrylic painting on paper and canvas, and I hope to experiment with oil painting in the future, possibly in a larger format.

6. Do you have any parting words of wisdom for our readers or aspiring artists?

As an emerging artist, I’m still learning how the art world works. What I can say with certainty is that it’s essential to do what truly fulfils you. I believe emerging artists must trust themselves and their process—only then does their unique style begin to appear. Don’t try to force it; let your style find you. It will reveal itself at the right moment, often when you stop overthinking and allow the work to guide you.

Isabel Juanico Termes’s work invites us into imagined worlds where everyday reality and dreamlike elements coexist. Through her paintings, she shows how slowing down and making room for creativity can lead to surprising discoveries.

From her journey, we have learnt that trusting the process, giving art real space in life, and allowing ideas to grow naturally are key lessons for anyone pursuing a creative path. Her story reminds us that beginnings can happen at any stage, and that persistence and intention matter as much as inspiration.

To learn more about Isabel, visit the links below.