We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dasha Gousseva. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dasha below.

Dasha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Around half a year into my brain injury, I was staying at my cousin’s house and in complete despair. I couldn’t comfortably walk, read, drive, or hold a conversation for more than ten minutes at a time because of the pain and fatigue. I had very little hope of getting better. I did not know if I would make it through.

It was at that time that I found an introductory book on watercolor painting. I knew that it had to come along with me. As I traveled across the country to my hometown to focus on my recovery, I brought the book alongside me.

Painting was excruciating – though, at the same time, everything else was too. Because the pain was worsened by bending my neck down, I set up an easel to practice watercolor painting and would do so for a few minutes at a time. I would sometimes get lost in the process of painting; I would forget the pain, my isolation, the invisibility of my disability, and the hopelessness. I was there, only in the present moment, capturing my world and my feelings.

Watercolor art became a non-negotiable. Whenever a therapist would hint toward how painting could worsen my injury, I would give a firm look and ask, “What else am I supposed to do?”

In this way, the creative path chose me.

I grew up in a family of engineers and, even within the supportive environment, to work as an artist was unthinkable. It took a lot of courage for me to share my art more widely: Over the past summer, I grew tired of hearing myself say that I would pursue art “later on.” I left what I thought was a dream job and moved to Bend, Oregon to give space to my creativity. And, of course, my art has flourished and grown.

My art continues to be reflective of my inner world and experiences, and I witness those interacting with my art perceiving this as well. Pursuing the artistic path professionally has been an organic transition, given that my art is a part of who I am.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a watercolor artist, focusing on all that is in nature! My intention is to explore our inner landscapes through what is outside. I am drawn to the way in which the flow of watercolors brings an emotional life to the wild places that I paint. I came to watercolor painting through my grief and recovery, though I was initially trained as an acrylic artist in my youth. My art is often recognized for its distinct style and precise brushstrokes.

I am also a trauma-sensitive yoga teacher and am currently studying to become a licensed therapist. In the past, I worked as a wilderness therapy instructor. It was in my time in that setting that I learned that the deepest wildness can exist within ourselves: for all that we experience in our external lives, our inner worlds can be the most desolate of places that few of us come to know. Given that my art is shared as a way of raising awareness about mental health, a portion of my proceeds go to programs that focus on suicide prevention and well-being.

I am located in Bend, Oregon – where I sell my art in local stores and at markets. Most of my practice is focused on creating commissioned pieces; I find that no two paintings look alike, depending on who I am painting for and with what intention.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I really wish that I had known of the book “The Artist’s Way” much earlier in my creative journey! The accuracy with which Julia Cameron writes about the ongoing journey of becoming and being a creative has been very validating.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I consistently feel very rewarded when my paintings go on to their new homes! As much as I work toward sharing my perception of the world around me through art, it seems that my paintings begin a second chapter when they enter into new hands. I love knowing that parts of the landscapes and emotions that I capture are all over the world!

Contact Info:

• Website: wildnesswithin.co
• Instagram: wildness.within