We were lucky to catch up with Cara Heard recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on was creating a collection of artwork for Central Georgia Cancer Care’s new Macon, GA facility. They asked for pieces that felt nothing like typical doctor office art, and I took that as an opportunity to create something bold, layered, and full of life. Each piece explores resilience and healing through color and texture, designed to bring hope and comfort to patients and families. Seeing how the artwork transformed the space into something warm and uplifting was an incredible reminder of the impact art can have on people’s daily lives.

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 mixed media artist and creative strategist who helps people and businesses tell their stories visually. My journey began more than a decade ago when I opened Lush Art, a teaching studio in Warner Robins and also Downtown Perry that made creativity approachable for everyone. Over time, my work has evolved into fine art, corporate art curation, and marketing strategy through my company, Cara Heard Co.

My art is bold, layered, and full of texture, often blending paint, collage, and symbolism. I’m inspired by movement, emotion, and the idea that beauty often comes from imperfection. Recent projects include creating a collection for Central Georgia Cancer Care’s new facility and curating artwork for House of Raeford’s corporate offices. Each piece or project is designed to tell a story, evoke feeling, and transform a space.

Through Cara Heard Co, I also help businesses develop a strong visual identity and marketing voice. I create content systems, social media strategies, and campaigns that help my clients stand out while staying genuine and relatable. What sets me apart is my ability to connect creativity with strategy, making sure everything looks good and works well.

I’m most proud of the way my work builds connection. Whether through art on a wall or a campaign that helps a business grow, my goal is to create something that reflects who people are and leaves a lasting impact.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal has always been to create work that connects people to themselves, to each other, and to their environment. I believe art and creativity have the power to shift how we see the world and how we feel within it. Whether I’m painting, curating a space, or building a brand story, my mission is to make something that feels genuine and meaningful. I want people to pause, feel seen, and experience a moment of connection or inspiration. At its core, my creative journey is about using color, texture, and storytelling to make spaces and stories come alive in a way that feels both personal and lasting.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that success has to look a certain way. For a long time, I equated achievement with constant growth, busyness, and visible results. When I owned my first business, I poured everything into making it thrive, but I eventually realized that pace wasn’t sustainable. After selling it, I gave myself permission to redefine what success means.

Now I see it as creating work that feels aligned and leaves room for life, creativity, and connection. Slowing down didn’t mean losing ambition; it meant making space for more personal ideas, more meaningful projects, and a more balanced version of myself. Unlearning that old definition of success changed everything about how I approach my work and my creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.caraheardco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caraheardco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caraheard
• Other: https://linktr.ee/caraheardart