Art found me from quite a young age. I still remember clearly when I was asked what I wanted to be in the future before going to school, I said I wanted to be an artist. It is interesting how these childhood instincts expressed my soul’s calling.

But around that time, I didn’t know.

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My soul had been waiting for years till my teenage age, when it knocked open the door of esoterics and mysticism, and led me into the realm of the inner and the unseen. 

At the same time, I started to confront some deep unknown emotions and visceral sentiments which seemed to be coming from nowhere.

Feeling loaded, lost and bewildered, I found difficult to find my place in this modern and fast-going three-dimensional world.

There have been many voices around on how my path should unfold. 

There were many accustomed values and programming in me which did not belong to myself.

These mental chaos became overwhelming and soon made me forget my childhood inner voice.

I assumed art wouldn’t be my way. I assumed my life would be the same as what others around me suggested.

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During my high school time in the UK, I faced depression at university application stage when I was struck by enormous inner discontentment and disorientation. Around that time I realised I wasn’t doing the things I truly love, and this led to a drastic change in my university offer from science to architecture.

It was then I realised that my artistic fire has not been put off, and I so desperately needed it to keep burning to bring me light.

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After quite a struggle, I eventually managed to get into my dream university doing my dream course.

But I was heavily exhausted. Something deep within had to change to truly align myself on my path - those imposed social values, mental programming and false beliefs that imprisoned my heart and hindered me from living the true life of my own.

I was soon led on my path, started off by facing a strange but strong fatigue which lasted for a month. This put me out of work, and pushed me to find healing.

Then, I got connected to my first spiritual guide in human form, who offered me immense support and insight, and guided me onto my path. She later became my Buddhist teacher.

The journey for me officially began, and that was the year 2019.

 

During the pandemic lockdown, healing waves heightened within me while at the same time, my expression found me again.

I was called to draw a series of illustration on some quotes of C.G.Jung’s autobiography Memories, Dreams, Reflections. This was the first-ever art project of my own - a deeply opening and profound experience.

I felt the calling, strong and affirming, that I would need to express things from the heart and soul through art.

When I felt it, I knew it was the way. Although I still wavered. Although fear and uncertainty still threatened to take me over. But deep down I found that cord which could anchor me into the vast realm of stillness and peace.

That was the beginning of my self-exploration through expression.

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I soon started exploring Sumi-ink paintings intuitively, and was intrigued by the process of free flow. Many pieces were sent to friends who resonated with the art. I found this process deeply nourishing and healing, and the feedback and comments to me were affirming and encouraging. 

I knew my expression is needed by many. This affirmed my way to become a artist-healer.

This was the beginning of my service through art, and I used the pseudonym HeartLotus for all the work around that time, a name given by my Buddhist teacher.

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After university, my focus shifted from Sumi-ink to digital painting, and soon found my style and way of expression. My channel has been the same, it was just the change in medium.

I also started travelling around England to visit ancient sites. Nature and the ancient invited me inwards, and connected me to the land and the wisdom and spiritual traditions from the past.

More and more I remembered who I truly am - my soul identity as a shaman, or a wounded healer, walking her way of self-healing and bringing healing to others.

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My art grew and flourished as my healing journey unfolded, many turned out to record my inner transformation and expansion, as well as the spiritual teachings I encountered along the way.

Soon, other free-form expressions found me such as intuitive writing, poetry, ecstatic dancing and singing.

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In 2023 I separated from my Buddhist teacher’s group, and setting off on my own journey following my inner guides in a complete new self.

Since then, I changed my artist name from HeartLotus to Illumina, or Lumi, meaning “to light up” or “the light-bringer”.

In the peaceful town of Totnes, Devon, UK, I started card selling at the weekend market. Again, this process of connecting to like-minded souls through art brought deep nourishment to me. I knew I had to walk my way from the heart, from what I am truly passionate about and from what brings me joy and spiritual abundance. 

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After the beginning of 2024, my work started to expand as my healing went deeper. I felt called to participate in gallery open calls, as well as submitting pieces to magazines.

After experiencing a Vision Quest ceremony on Dartmoor in May, I felt the future calling me strongly to step out further as the healer I inherently am. Everything has been preparing for me on my way, and now, it is time.

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So now I look forward to welcoming in new opportunities and connecting to like-minded souls whose paths align with mine, to help bringing more love and light to empower people’s heart, and to bring healing through authentic expression.