The Intersection of Art, Healing & Medicine | Vasu Tolia

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Summary:

“I just continued to be at it because I knew that to be good at anything, you need to spend 10,000 hours,” Vasu shared. And just like that, she began showing up to her canvas with the same commitment she once brought to her research and teaching.

Her work is now a beautiful fusion of the scientific and the spiritual—a bridge between her medical background and her evolving artistic voice. From representational painting to expressive abstract forms, her art reflects her belief that healing isn't just physical—it's emotional, mental, and deeply soulful.

“Art became a form of meditation for me,” she explained. “It helped me process emotions that I couldn’t always articulate with words.”

One pivotal moment came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she submitted a painting to The Washington Post’s call for pandemic-inspired art—and it was selected as one of the top 20 pieces in the nation. Shortly after, the CDC featured that same artwork on the cover of their Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases. It was a powerful affirmation: Vasu’s new path was not only valid—it was needed.

Now, Vasu uses her art not just to express herself, but as a mission-led platform for change. She donates part of her art sales to causes close to her heart, including women’s empowerment, environmental protection, autism, and medical research.

“Every life experience—personal and professional—has enriched my creative journey,” she said. “I found my second act, and it’s just as meaningful as the first.”

This conversation with Vasu is a call to all of us: to follow the whispers of our creative soul, to trust that it’s never too late to begin again, and to know that our life’s work can take many forms.

If you’re standing at a crossroads, wondering whether it's too late to start something new—whether anyone will care or understand—Vasu offers this wisdom:

“Embrace your past as a source of inspiration, not a limitation. Follow your passion—passionately.”

 

^{Vasu Tolia}

_{Vasu is a self-taught artist who embarked on her artistic journey after retiring from the medical field. Her work serves as a bridge between her diverse life experiences and her passion for visual arts. Through her art, she seeks to capture the essence of humanity, nature, and the ever-evolving world around us. Vasu’s work continues to evolve at the intersection of medicine, art, and healing, creating spaces where science meets creativity and wellness finds expression through visual storytelling.}

^{Website: https://www.vasutolia.art/
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