Acrylic Alchemy and Art For Healing with Michael Carini

We Are Artists Podcast | Hosted by Shannon Shine

This episode of We Are Artists is a powerful reminder of what art can help us work through…grief, resilience, beauty, and above all, connection.

I had the honor of interviewing Michael Carini, a celebrated abstract painter and the creator of the Art Is the Cure movement and Safe Space for Artists facebook group. His work is a visceral, vulnerable exploration of the self, shaped by deep personal loss and an unwavering commitment to showing up for the creative process.

🎨 Grief, Discipline & The Artist’s Journey

Michael shares candidly about the loss of his dad and how that shaped not only his art, but his relationship to discipline and meaning. Art became more than expression as it became a survival tool, a daily ritual, and a way to honor both pain and memory. His studio, his brushstrokes, and his voice all reflect the transformation of grief into visual portals of healing.

Michael also shares his experience with a traumatic near death experience that shifted his focus and instead of collapsing under grief, Michael leaned into the daily practice of painting, showing how consistency, creativity, and healing are intricately linked. That emotional integrity is visible in every one of his bold, textured works.

🧠 Art and Mental Health: A Lifeline for Creatives

We spent time talking about mental health and the importance of using art as a tool for expression, especially for those navigating heavy emotions. Michael doesn’t shy away from the dark , instead, he paints through it, giving shape to what words often fail to say.

His message is clear: art saves lives. Through Art Is the Cure, he has inspired thousands to turn inward, pick up a brush, and start making sense of their pain.

🤝 Safe Space, Community & Creative Purpose

One of the most resonant themes in this episode was the idea of connecting with others and creating more safe space for artists, places where people can create without judgment, be seen, and be held. Michael reflects on how hard it can be to keep going when you feel isolated or unseen, and how critical it is to build a supportive community around you.

We talked about how that community doesn't always have to be physical. It can be through conversations like this, shared art shows, messages from strangers, or simply knowing there are others out there navigating the creative path too.

Michael’s presence in the art world is more than visual as it is also deeply relational. His willingness to invite others into their own healing through creativity makes him not just an artist, but a guide.

💬 Inspiration, Motivation & Staying Lit

When asked what keeps him motivated, Michael shared that it's not always about inspiration …. it’s about commitment and the connections he’s made along the way. It's about making art anyway, even when it’s hard. It's about showing up, day after day, and trusting that something sacred will eventually rise to the surface.

As a creative myself, I found so much truth in that. It’s a message we all need to hear: you don’t need to be “on fire” to create. You just need to keep the flame alive.

🎧 Listen to the Full Conversation

This episode is for anyone who’s experienced loss, wrestled with their inner world, or is trying to create through the mess of being human. It’s for anyone who believes — or wants to believe — that art really can be the cure.

🎧 Listen now:
👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/7kDor1rPUMmLMvDzLYXIEu?si=a75cfa2c1b0f403a
📲 Follow Michael Carini: @acrylicalchemy

Website: https://cariniarts.com/

🌐 Hosted by Shannon Shine: shannonshineart.com
📲 Follow @shannonshine.official