Allow art to take you to places you’ve never been

I’ve never been to the Arabian kingdom of Avana. In fact, it doesn’t exist. Like a mirage in the desert, it is just an illusion. A fictional place created in my imagination. In Claimed by the Sheikh, and other books in my Sheikhs Untamed Brides series, it comes to life.

I hope you enjoy this reminder, that art can take you to places you’ve never been—away from the chaos and ugliness, transporting you somewhere beautiful.

Claimed by teh Sheikh audio, e, and paperback

Direct;Amazon; Kobo: iBooks; Barnes and Noble

★★★★★ “I can’t articulate enough how compellingly page-turning this remarkable story was. If I could give it more than five stars, this would be it! “

Art took me to the Hawaiian island of Maui

Art took me to the Hawaiian island of Maui after I won the supreme prize of the Wai Art award and met my idol, Max Gimblett. I share more on my blog: Max Gimblett, Cassandra Gaisford and inspiration

He told me he was running an art retreat there and off I went.

we’d love to commission a painting, a landscape from your mind art

“We love we’d love to commission a painting, a landscape from your mind,” art collectors Lee and Cliff told me. “It’s our place, but from your mind,” they told me happily when the painting was installed

In this vlog I share a little more about the inspiration behind this commission and a video, Fun! Fun! Fun! A landscape from my mind

Abstract Artist Cassandra Gaisford: Fun! Fun! Fun! A landscape from her mind

Following my passion in Florence and Milan

Researching my art related historical novel inspired by Mona Lisa’s smile took me to Florence and Milan.

Love in Venice was inspired by a place I have been. Venice

Photography took me to Puglia, Italy

Photography took me to Pulia, Italy on a fab and fabulous photography retreat with Carla Coulson. Love Stories from an Italian Vacation

Finding grace in Grace Bay

An art collector purchased my painting Grace Bay for a friend. Neither of them had been to the Caribbean island paradise, but I have. And now this painting has taken them there.

Readers in America, The UK, Spain, Japan, South Africa and around the world travel to New Zealand in my romance novels

Readers in America, The UK, Spain, Japan, South Africa and around the world travel to New Zealand in my romance novels, Including The Italian Billionaire’s Scandalous Marriage and my
PASSION DOWN UNDER SASSY SHORT STORIES series starring Maverick Billionaires and Rebellious Wives. While it can easily be read as a standalone story, you’ll likely enjoy reading the other books, too.

Twist of Fate a romance novel by Mollie Mathews

Twist of Fate (Jonathon and Danny)

Love Me Forever (Joey and Tomasso)

Forever and Always (Lily and Leonardo)

Love Me As I Am (Kiri and Benotti)

The Lightkeeper’s Lover (Lucy and Andrew)

Finding a Husband (Julie and Oliver)

Crazy For You (Liberty and Alessandro)

I haven’t been to France’s Côte d’Azur, but art will take me there

I’m about to read Villa E set in the south of France. The book is inspired by the iconic self-taught architect and designer Eileen Gray. I haven’t been to France’s Côte d’Azur, but art will take me there.

transported me into the spiritual realms of magic and beauty

My paintings like Water Spirit and Festival of Colour have transported me into the spiritual realms of magic and beauty. It fills my heart with so much gladness to know these paintings are now hanging in other peoples home.

Festival of Colour, Cassandra Gaisford, 2021

Festival of Colour was created in the studio during the full moon 2021 energy of Libra— joy, happiness, love, beauty…colour gives it all.

One of my great loves continues to be the joy and blessings colour brings to me, especially when I surround myself with colour in my home.

My other loves are painters that inspire me, including Mark Rothko and his large, spiritual, transcendent flow paintings. You may enjoy my blog post: How Mark Rothko Inspires Me

Van Gogh and his bold, colourful, healing creations that makes my heart ache. Why I live soberly & Vincent Van Gogh tried too. Vincent Van Gogh once lamented, “I don’t know if I’m extremely sensitive or life is unbearable.” I feel many of us can relate to this dilemma. Read more on my blog post>>Are you extremely sensitive, or is life unbearable?

Helen Frankenthaler and her large, innovative, flow paintings and her quest to capture and create beauty. When I think of Helen Frankenthaler, I see a fearless trailblazer who dared to redefine what painting could be. Her large, flowing canvases, vibrant with color and emotion, resonate deeply with my own artistic journey. Helen’s quest to capture and create beauty wasn’t just a pursuit of aesthetics—it was a statement of courage, an embrace of experimentation, and a testament to the transformative power of art.

I am delighted that, while the majority of my works are inspired by tales of sadness and made during the lengthy periods of Covid-imposed isolation, people tell me that my paintings elicit joy and a remarkable sense of hope-inspired optimism.

To create and capture vibrant memories, past and future, and transform sadness into love-infused beauty is my grand passion.

These paintings are sold—commissions are welcome

To learn more about the process of this commission you may enjoy reading my blog: https://www.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/how-to-commission-a-painting/

To create and capture vibrant memories, past and future, and transform sadness into love-infused beauty is my grand passion. I’m passionate about passion too!

My book, How to Find Your Passion and Purpose, flowed from the first oracle cards I created, “The Passion Pack.” I have so many happy memories because I followed my heart, stood up to bullies who tried to silence me, and joined the many lightworkers with a cause “to love more loudly,” as Astrologer Pam Gregory wonderfully encourages.

Creating a realm of happiness

“After I came to see you I felt so happy and so buoyant. It’s my happy art from Cassandra.”

I know how comforting a beautiful soul-inspired painting can be. When I share my heart I transcend lower vibe feelings and send these love-inspired, hope-infused paintings out into the world.

In this video one a gorgeous new collector shares how one of my artworks touched her soul.

My beeswax painting reminded her of how she loved her former home city of Rotorua and reminded her of geysers there.

It’s always summer in Pete and Tanya’s home

Always Summer, Cassandra Gaisford, 2021, Health Commission

“This bespoke piece was commissioned by a family as a ‘statement piece’ to adorn the large white walls of their newly refurbished home. The brief was “we want it to always feel like summer.”

You may enjoy my blog post, How to Feel Like It’s Always Summer>>

You book got me sober

Being sober on a drunk planet can be a challenging task. I’m always thrilled when people share how my books have helped them.

“I’m considering sobriety right now and I’ve been meaning to focus more on some things to further my creative career. Great timing to stumble across your channel. Love it :)”

A portal to a world of active imagination and creativity.

This lovely lady traveled to New Zealand for the first time to attend my Fun, Fab and Fearless three-day art retreat.

“Cassandra invites inspiration and then shows you how to make it happen. Informative and value-packed workshops. Her tuition and intuition are totally on point. This retreat furthered my mission to come into alignment with a more soul-based life and artistic expression. The studio itself is a portal to a world of active imagination and creativity. The magical landscape, view and location are the icing on the cake.Cannot wait to return and participate again.Thank you so much for a truly wonderful, magical few days.”