We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Sakhai a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I wouldn’t say that I’m simply ‘happier’ as an artist—it’s that being an artist is who I am on a soul level. From as early as I can remember, creating has been as natural to me as breathing. I’ve always known that this path was my purpose. The idea of a ‘regular job’ never crossed my mind, not for a single second. In fact, there was never a point, even in adolescence when self-discovery often brings questions, that I doubted my place as an artist.

For me, art isn’t just a profession; it’s the way I experience life itself. It’s how I make sense of the world, how I express emotions that words can’t capture. I don’t think of art as something I do—it’s what I am. Being a creative isn’t a choice; it’s the lens through which I was born to see the world, and there’s nothing else that could ever feel as authentic. So no, I’ve never questioned my path, because for me, this isn’t a path. It’s my calling.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a contemporary artist specializing in gold and silver leaf oil paintings. Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Born and raised in New York, I grew up influenced by my Persian and Japanese heritage, both of which have profoundly shaped my approach to art. Early family trips to Japan introduced me to metal leaf—a medium that felt immediately natural to me and has become central to my work. Today, my art bridges traditional techniques with abstract expressionism, resulting in pieces that are not only visually engaging but also spiritually resonant.

My work focuses on the principles of Transformative Art, using spontaneous strokes, light, and energy to create pieces that channel peace and healing. Through my paintings, I aim to dissolve boundaries and invite viewers to connect with a deeper part of themselves. I see each piece as more than an aesthetic object; it’s a journey for me as an artist and an experience for those who view it. The joy, peace, and unity I feel in the creative process are energies I hope to translate to everyone who engages with my work.

I started out as an impressionist-style landscape painter but gradually transitioned to abstraction—a shift that surprised even me. Today, my work is a fusion of those two worlds.

My paintings are exhibited worldwide, from Tokyo to New York City, and are part of both private and public collections, including installations at Montefiore Einstein Medical Center and Kamakura Park in Japan. I published my first book a few years ago, titled Awakening, a collection of 200 paintings that reflects my journey as an artist. With a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and Fine Arts from Hofstra University, where I now serve on the advisory board, and a Master’s from the Academy of Art University, I bring both academic training and lived experience to my work. I’ve studied in Spain and France, taught art at UC Berkeley, and currently maintain studios in New York City and Delray Beach, Florida.

What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about my work is that each creation is one of a kind, with the purpose of healing and connection. Each painting is a deeply personal creation, designed to resonate on an emotional level, breaking down the barriers that separate us and inviting a shared experience of emotions and introspection. I am most proud of the moments when viewers connect with my art in a way that enriches their own lives, whether by providing a moment of peace, a spark of inspiration, or a deeper connection with themselves.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the healing power that art holds—for both the artist and the viewer. Painting is a transformative process; it allows me to take complex emotions and channel them into something that returns me to a place of joy and love. Each piece I create is a journey that helps me realign with a sense of inner peace, clarity, and connection. In that way, painting becomes a form of self-care and healing.

Beyond my personal experience, I find it incredibly fulfilling to witness how my work resonates with others. Art has a unique way of speaking to people, touching emotions, and creating a shared consciousness between the artist and the viewer. I believe that when someone connects with my art, they’re connecting with the same joy, love, and clarity that inspired me. That shared experience, where my emotions and intentions can meet and uplift others, is truly the most rewarding part of what I do.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey is guided by the principles of Transformative Art, with a focus on channeling light, energy, and healing through each piece I create. My paintings are expressions of unbounded energy and emotion, capturing a moment where I work from a place beyond duality—on a soul level. My goal is to bring this energy into a tangible form that resonates with others, dissolving boundaries and inviting viewers to connect with their own inner consciousness.

Working with metal leaf and oils on canvas, I draw on my background as a plein air painter, yet my process has evolved into something deeply spontaneous and spiritually expansive, bridging elements of abstract expressionism. Each stroke becomes a channel for peace, and each piece embodies the energy of the creative spirit as a healing force. My hope is that when people engage with my work, they sense this intention—that they feel invited into a space of unity and connection that transcends the limits of language and form.

Ultimately, my mission is to offer a pathway for viewers to connect with themselves and the world on a deeper level. By sharing the most vulnerable aspects of my inner self through each creation, I hope to inspire others to find a sense of peace and wholeness within themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michellesakhai.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellesakhaiart/