How I Found Happiness in My Art... and Beyond

Maybe It Is Not Art That Can Give You Happiness, But I Can Share My Way... And Perhaps You Can Find Something to Add to Yours

For a long time, I thought happiness was something to chase, a distant goal that I would reach once I had the right circumstances, the right success, the right recognition. But over time, I realized that happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of walking through the world. And more than anything, I found it in the process of creating, in my art, and in the simple yet profound moments of life.

Even though I am not famous, and I haven’t (yet) achieved great success, I have found happiness in my creative journey. Because happiness does not come from external validation, but from the act of making, from the way art allows me to express what words sometimes cannot. I no longer wait for recognition to feel fulfilled, I create because it is a necessity, because it is how I make sense of the world. Some nights, I am alone with my canvas and colors, painting in silence while the world sleeps. And in those moments, when it's just me, the paint, and the infinite possibilities before me, I know that this is enough.

The Joy of Creation

There’s something magical about losing myself in painting. The act of putting color on canvas, of shaping an idea into something tangible, is a space where I exist without pretense. It’s where my emotions take form, where my thoughts become something I can see and touch. In those moments, I am fully present. The past and the future fade away, leaving only the now. And in that space, I find happiness.

It is the only moment when I can be truly myself, the real me, the objective me, the uncriticizable me, because that is what I am. There, I do not need to explain or justify myself. I simply exist, in the purest way possible. And while I create, my mind enters a philosophical mode, meditating on the world, on life, on who I am and who I could become. It is a form of deep contemplation, a level of thought that borders on meditation, where I explore how I can grow, how I can be a better person, how I can understand existence beyond the noise of daily life.

The Power of Connection

Art is not just about what I create, it’s also about sharing, about dialogue, about the people who resonate with what I express. But beyond art, I’ve found happiness in deep and meaningful connections with those who truly understand me. A conversation that flows effortlessly, a moment of shared laughter, the comfort of knowing that I am not alone in my thoughts, these are the things that make life rich.

Aviva Rahmani - Blued Trees Project

Recently, I had an internet conversation with Aviva Rahmani, the great environmental artist and activist, and I found in her not only a brilliant creative mind but also a person willing to share her perspectives on art and creativity in a truly open and reflective way. She spoke with clarity and depth, offering examples from her own experiences, and through our exchange, I felt inspired by the way she approaches both art and activism. These kinds of conversations remind me that art is not only about what we create, but also about how we think, how we engage with the world, and how we connect with others who challenge and expand our vision.

The Beauty of the Small Things

Happiness is also in the details: a quiet morning with a cup of coffee, the light of the setting sun on a canvas, the melody of a song that feels like it was written for me. When I slow down and truly see these moments, I realize they are enough.

Sometimes, I look at a painting or a piece of art, it doesn’t matter if it is mine, a masterpiece, or an unknown work, and my eyes focus on a small, seemingly insignificant detail. While most people might overlook it, I find myself concentrating on that one tiny element, and from that small piece, I experience a deep and powerful emotion. It could be a single brushstroke, a crack in the paint, a color transition, or an unintentional imperfection. These details, hidden in plain sight, speak to me in a way that feels almost personal. And in that moment, I feel a connection not only to the artwork but also to something greater, something beyond words.

A few years ago, I was in Detroit at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), and I got the chance to see Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Hat. I stepped closer to the painting, so close that the security guard gave me a look that clearly said, "Another weird person today." But I didn’t care. 

Van Gogh Self-Portrait with Straw Hat

My eyes were locked on a single detail: the tiny red brushstroke on Van Gogh’s visible ear. It was just a small touch of color, almost imperceptible, but in that moment, I realized how much life a single stroke of paint could hold. That one detail, so small, yet so intentional, felt like a heartbeat within the painting. It was as if Van Gogh had captured the pulse of existence in that one tiny gesture. That moment stayed with me, reminding me that sometimes, the smallest things hold the deepest emotions.

The Fulfillment of Doing Meaningful Work

Beyond art, I find joy in working on projects that challenge me, that require my full attention and creativity. When I’m deeply engaged, when I lose track of time because I am so immersed in something meaningful, I feel a sense of purpose that is inseparable from happiness.

The essence of this is not to lose interest just because others are not interested in your project. During my conversation with Aviva Rahmani, she shared a story that resonated deeply with me. Back in 1973, she created an artwork that, at the time, didn’t receive much attention or appreciation. It wasn’t a success, at least in the way the art world defines success. But she never lost interest in her work, she remained convinced of its value and continued to believe in it. Fifty years later, because she stayed true to her vision, a curator finally saw the brilliance in her piece, and it gained the recognition it deserved. Visitors, critics, and the media all appreciated it, proving that some ideas simply need time.

This led me to a simple but profound reflection: never give up on your ideas and projects if you truly believe in them and they bring you a sense of positivity and purpose. Recognition may come later, or never at all, but what matters is staying faithful to what you create, to what moves you.

The Freedom of Accepting Imperfection

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that happiness does not come from perfection. It comes from embracing the process, from understanding that life is a series of moments, some beautiful, some difficult, but all part of the same journey. I no longer seek happiness as something external to attain. Instead, I recognize it in the present, in the things I create, in the connections I nurture, and in the small details that make life extraordinary.

Happiness is here. In the brushstrokes, in the conversations, in the quiet and in the chaos. And maybe, it was never lost, it was just waiting for me to notice.

But part of this happiness also comes from learning to accept imperfection, not only in art, but in ourselves and in others. To truly embrace others, we must first recognize our own imperfections and learn to forgive ourselves for them. Only then can we fully appreciate the flaws and uniqueness in those around us. There is a liberating joy in laughing with friends and people about our imperfections, in saying to the world:

"Yes, I know. But I love the way I am... this is why I love the way you are."

When we stop chasing perfection and start embracing authenticity, happiness follows naturally.