The Story Behind the Artist ~ Coiya Jaquith
Art, specifically painting, transformed my life. I loved sketching as a child and enjoyed high school art classes, but years of overseas relief work and motherhood pushed creativity aside.
Everything changed after a traumatic back injury that was followed a few months later by a burnout-induced complete mental, emotional, and physical breakdown. My life came to a screeching halt. I found myself completely unable to function, broken by chronic fatigue, short-term memory loss, comprehension and speech struggles, and never-ending physical pain.
One day, I felt an internal nudge, almost a quiet voice, suggesting I start painting again. My counselor had been encouraging me to find a hobby already, so I picked up my brushes again, exploring watercolors and then acrylics.
During that time, I heard an artist speak about the power of art therapy in healing cognitive issues. Painting engages the right side of the brain, building new connections and restoring broken ones. Slowly, my own cognitive function began to improve, and art played a key role in that healing process.
Eventually, the sketches and paintings that had originally been just a hobby to pass the time led to something much more meaningful than I could have imagined: they became a way to share the blessing of beauty and healing with others as well. I started creating simple pieces for friends, inspired by thoughts or themes I sensed for them. Time after time, people shared with me how those little card-sized art pieces had spoken personally to them and brought them hope or encouragement.
My goal is to create inspired art that speaks deeply and personally to people. My story is one of hope and healing, so I create art and teach classes that seek to inspire hope, faith, and restoration. My heart’s desire is that the work I do will help others experience transformation and inspiration in their own lives.