For the past 20 years, my life moved like a well-rehearsed dance, juggling demanding roles in high-performing corporate environments, moving across countries, building a family, and starting everything from scratch more than once. It was a journey filled with wonderful people, challenges and experiences that shaped who I am today. My days were a constant marathon between work, home, and motherhood. From the outside, it looked like I was handling it all with grace, always smiling, always seeing the bright side. But inside? My body was keeping score. Stress didn’t show up in panic attacks or outbursts.

It settled quietly in the form of gastritis, migraines, and the kind of insomnia that leaves you functional, but deeply fatigued. Eventually, even my mood began to shift. I became snappy, more withdrawn, and worst of all, I started doubting myself. That disconnect, from my body, from my joy, from who I was, had quietly taken over.

The Seed of Change

The first seed of transformation was planted more than a decade ago.

By then, I had completely lost touch with something essential: my creativity. As a child and teen, I was a curious, artistic soul, always experimenting, always making, always exploring. But when I moved away from my homeland, art quietly disappeared from my life. I didn’t even notice it was gone.

One day, I went to the doctor for chronic pain, hoping for a quick fix. Instead, he gave me a wake-up call:

“You’re too young to burn out. You need to change your lifestyle.”

So I started searching. I tried meditation, but my thoughts were simply too loud! Then my mum suggested crochet. “It helps you focus,” she said. I wasn’t entirely convinced, but I decided to give it a try. No expectations, just counting stitches. And for the first time in a long time, something softened inside me.

Not long after, a company training, which I assumed was another productivity workshop, turned out to be a turning point. We spent three full days exploring our values, our beliefs, our definition of success beyond what society expected. It was my first introduction to life and transformational coaching, and something inside me woke up.

Those two moments, one deeply personal, one unexpectedly professional, became the roots of the journey I walk today.

Reclaiming My Creative Voice

Reclaiming My Creative Voice

Slowly, art found its way back to me. First through crochet, then through painting, journalling, and mixed media. As I created, I began to feel… me. Some days, I felt calm and proud. Other days, perfectionism and impostor syndrome whispered in my ear. But I kept reminding myself: this is my time to play. To create without pressure. To reconnect with the child who made things simply for the joy of it. I explored watercolours, textures, collage, letting curiosity lead the way.

And something beautiful happened. I slept better. I smiled more. My mind felt lighter. I started noticing the early signs of stress and found that creating gave me time to pause and reflect. I began speaking to myself more gently, and slowly, I was learning to make more room for myself.

Art + Coaching + Neuroscience = My New Path

Art + Coaching + Neuroscience = My New Path

As I continued exploring creativity, my curiosity took me further. I wanted to understand why painting, journalling or even counting crochet stitches could make such a difference to how I felt. That curiosity led me to neuroscience and research into creativity and wellbeing. I was fascinated to discover how researchers were exploring the connections between creativity, stress and emotional wellbeing. Suddenly, some of my own experiences began to make more sense.

Meanwhile, an idea was quietly growing. What if I could bring together creativity, coaching and everything I had learnt throughout my personal and professional life? But turning that idea into reality wasn’t so simple. After more than twenty years building a career I was proud of, I had my own beliefs about success and what I was supposed to do next.

Twelve years after that first wake-up call, life gave me another little push. Deep down, I think I knew change was coming, even if I wasn’t quite ready to acknowledge it. When a company restructuring brought my corporate chapter to an end, I finally faced a question I had been putting aside: What if I actually gave this idea a chance? It wasn’t quite that simple, of course! There were doubts and old beliefs to challenge, but also the excitement of exploring something new and bringing together all those different parts of my journey. Slowly, the idea that had been quietly growing for years began to take shape.

And that idea became Artchemira.

Who I Create For

Who I Create For

I create for people who might recognise a little of themselves in my story. Those who spend so much time looking after responsibilities, meeting expectations and keeping everything moving that they sometimes forget to make room for themselves. People who want to slow down, reconnect with their curiosity and rediscover the simple pleasure of creating.

But Artchemira is also for those who simply love making things, want to try something new or enjoy sharing creative moments with others. You don’t need to feel overwhelmed or be searching for a big change to begin. Sometimes, the desire to learn, explore and have a little fun is reason enough.

To reconnect with the playful soul that still lives inside. 

No pressure.
No performance.
Just presence.

What I Believe

What I Believe

I believe reconnecting with ourselves doesn’t have to be complicated. I spent years thinking transformation had to look like discipline, a strict practice, a perfect routine, something serious enough to deserve the name. What I found instead was gentler and more surprising. A brush on paper. A page filled without agenda. A Sunday afternoon that asked nothing of me.

That is where the shift began. Not in a breakthrough, but in a quiet Tuesday.

I believe joy matters. Not the performed kind, not the curated kind, but the small, private joy of making something with your hands that didn’t exist an hour ago.

I believe the first step back to yourself is often the most physical one: picking up something, pressing it to a surface and watching what happens next.

I believe we all need moments of connection, with ourselves and with others. Whether you’re looking for a little breathing room, discovering a new creative interest or simply enjoying the pleasure of making something, there’s room for you here.

I’m here to share that journey with you. Welcome to Artchemira. 🌿

If something in this story felt familiar, whether it’s the tiredness, the searching or simply the curiosity to try something new, I’d love for you to stay a little closer.

  •  Download the free guide: 5 Tiny Creative Rituals for When You Feel Lost. Five practices, five minutes each, no experience needed.
  •  Or come and create together: Explore Artchemira through creative tools, workshops and shared experiences. Find something that sparks your curiosity and join our growing creative community.

You don't need to have it figured out. You just need to begin.

About the Author

About the Author

I’m Krisna Barces, founder of Artchemira, artist, transformational coach, and someone who genuinely believes that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, especially while making something beautiful out of it.

After more than twenty years in corporate life across three countries, I found my way back to something I’d always loved: painting, journalling, mixed media and making things with my hands. I remembered how good it felt to create simply for the joy of it, and I never wanted to forget again.

What I hope to share with you is simple: a little more joy in the ordinary, a little more curiosity, and the freedom to explore your creativity in your own way. Whether you’re looking for a moment to yourself or simply want to try something new, there’s a place for you here.

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