She Smiled Softly, 2020, Cassandra Gaisford
Crayon, lead pencil, watercolour, acrylic on canvas
This painting now hangs in one my favourite places—my local beauty spa, PURE DAY SPA.
In fact, as I write this post in 2025, I have just spent several hours there enjoying a relaxing facial and pedicure. It was so restorative and just the pick me up I needed. As was hearing from the owner, Karen, how many compliments, She Smiled Softly still receives.
I created this painting as part of my Soften Series during the early days of the pandemic when many hearts hardened and smiles were masked. She was exhibited along with other works created at that time at the Beauty of Resilience group show here in The Bay of Islands.
As I share in my blog post, 2022 in review—fear can drive you, fear-mongering by the Government drove me toward love
As I shared, in an earlier post, in the wake of Covid, fear-mongering by the Government drove me toward love. This is why I opened my own art gallery in the first months of the pandemic and started painting again. I wanted to share my joy and so I began to teach and shared my love of fun, play, love and creativity with others.
As I wrote back in 2022 “now, on the 8th of November, full moon in Taurus, and a Lunar eclipse, the country feels sluggish. Inflation is wracking havoc with people’s incomes, job losses are mounting, and New Zealanders are keen for change. From afar, critical journalists (not Government paid spin doctors) are asking questions, “what’s happening in New Zealand?” Come next year’s elections we’ll be asking the same.
We ask, what is happening TO New Zealand?
Ignorance is bliss, right? t would be easy to look the other way, and put our heads in the sand, or stay stuck in doomsday scrolling, but that would be a cop-out. Martin Luther King once had a dream. I do too. If we truly are a team of 5 million, we need to look after each other and create a better world where joy, peace and beauty can dominate the landscape and the creation of a unified culture where people regardless of race can thrive.”
Someone recently asked, “How do we raise our children to be joyful in a world that seems bleak.”
We have to keep showing up for passion, love and joy—not fear, hate and depression. This is why in 2022, I rebranded myself as The Joyful Artist. Kids, when unencumbered by adults are joy personified. The challenge is staying joyful during the inevitable hard bits.
“Whatever life gives you, you can respond with joy. Joy is the happiness that does not depend on what happens. It is the grateful response to the opportunity that life offers in this moment.”
Brother Steindl-Rast
Numerous people have found tremendous joy in the most unexpected places and very often, it has been born from a place of great pain.
Here are just a few examples:
• Novelists Danielle Steel, Isabel Allende, and many others—who overcame difficult childhoods
• Drew Barrymore, especially in her new business, Flower Beauty—who overcame addiction
• Trauma Therapist Dr. Edith Eger—who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp
• Neuroscientist Dr. Joe Dispenza—who overcame paralysis
• Motivational author Gabby Bernstein—who overcame alcohol addiction
• Comedian Billy Connelly—who overcame sexual abuse
Singing star, Selena Gomez’s profound documentary sharing her journey with mental health challenges and a diagnosis of bipolar also reminded me of the deep chasm in education within schools today. The lack of teachings on dealing with feelings and how to build resilience and well-being, especially during difficult times, is direly needed. Expressing my feelings through art, saying things I couldn’t articulate in words, has been my go-to…learnt the long way.
“If your heart is broken, make art with the pieces.”
― Shane Koyczan
My father always told me, I raised you to speak the truth. What I did experience personally during Covid were the most hateful attacks. I was accused of being a traitor to my country, among other ridiculous things, when I encouraged people to look beyond mainstream media – and this by the then 60+-year-old CEO of a government-funded non-for-profit.
My crime? Bringing her attention to the lifestream of the protest marches where the peaceful protestors sought a hearing with our elected officials. Which never happened. Thankfully a documentary, River of Freedom was created to counter the misinformation that it was ‘river of filth’. It seems to me that the people full of hate speech were the ones trying to create legislation to suppress free speech.
But through it all, I smiled softly.
While we’re on the subject of truth telling you may enjoy my new art-related historical novel, The High Priestess of Soul: A Novel Inspired by the Life and Legacy of Nina Simone
★★★★★ “A stunning, lyrical tribute to one of music’s greatest icons. This novel masterfully intertwines Nina Simone’s struggle for freedom with a modern story of rediscovery. A must-read for fans of art, history, and powerful women.”
“The High Priestess of Soul” invites readers into the heart of an artist who dared to speak the truth, no matter the cost.
Experience the story of an artist, a warrior, and a legend who changed the world one note at a time, in this captivating work of art-related fiction.
Perfect for fans of historical novels, music biographies, and inspiring women’s stories. From the smoky nightclubs of Atlantic City to the grand stages of Carnegie Hall and the quiet solitude of exile, Nina Simone’s journey is an unforgettable tale of resilience, defiance, and the transformative power of music.
Through dual narratives—her rise to fame and the modern-day curator piecing together her legacy—this novel explores themes of identity, activism, and the cost of staying true to yourself.
AMAZON:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV88ZKHS
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DV88ZKHS
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DV88ZKHS
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DV88ZKHS
iBOOKS, BARNES & NOBLE AND OTHER GREAT BOOKSTORES:
https://books2read.com/u/mdR5MR
Nina Simone once said, “An artist’s duty is to reflect the times in which we live.” Those words guide me as I navigate my own creative journey. Whether I’m writing about joy, painting abstract truths, or helping others unlock their potential, I hope to honor her legacy by staying true to my voice and my purpose.
Nina didn’t just inspire music; she inspired courage. And for that, I will always be grateful.
I think Nina would be proud of me showing up for joy during the pandemic when the powers that were spread fear and hate and tried to silence so many voices.
In this video, I share how I created an art gallery during Covid and created more joy for others
2022 in review—fear can drive you
Nina Simone: How she inspires me
Posted in: Blog
ABOUT CASSANDRA
I am an artist, storyteller, intuitive guide, mentor and Reiki master. All my creations are infused with positive energy , inspiration, and light. I believe in magic and the power of beauty, joy, love, purpose, and creativity to transform your life. My greatest joy is helping your realize your dreams. That makes my soul sing!
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