The Art of Brushstrokes and Breakthroughs - with artist ZOË PAWLAK

<p>Vancouver artist <strong>Zoë Pawlak</strong> joins Aly Velji to share her journey as an <strong>artist</strong>, <strong>creative collaboration</strong>, and how she pushes herself to expand herself beyond the traditional canvas. We get into original art vs. planned obsolescence, fashion and rug collaborations, collecting with intention, and why creative discipline matters as much as inspiration. Recorded live at <strong>IDS Vancouver</strong> inside our custom booth by <strong>Bureau</strong>.</p><p><br><strong>In this episode, we talk about</strong></p><ul><li><p>Why <strong>spiritual</strong> <strong>wellness </strong>fuels creative flow</p></li><li><p><strong>Original art vs. planned obsolescence</strong> and how to build a meaningful collection</p></li><li><p>From canvases to <strong>hand-knotted rugs</strong>, <strong>fashion collabs and the Vessels &amp; Muses Oracle Deck</strong>: making art you can live with</p></li><li><p>The real economics of a working artist: pricing, partners, and creative capacity</p></li><li><p>Why <strong>collaboration</strong> (with makers, brands, designers) elevates the work</p></li><li><p>Travel as muse: LA, NYC, Mexico City, New Mexico skies - and the permission to rest</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Zoë’s favs: music, mood, and studio rituals (yes, one song on repeat counts)</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>About Zoë Pawlak</strong><br></p><p>Zoë Pawlak is a Vancouver-based artist known for telling honest, vulnerable stories through painting, drawing, and industrial design. With 18 years of professional practice, her work explores emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness. Her latest creation, the <em>Vessels &amp; Muses Oracle Deck</em>, pairs 40 of her artworks with journal prompts for daily reflection.</p><p>A graduate of NSCAD and Concordia with studies at Universidad de las Américas, Puebla, Zoë’s work has been featured in <em>Architectural Digest</em>, <em>Interior Design</em>, and <em>Martha Stewart Living</em>, and collected by the Government of Canada, Cobie Smulders, and Club Monaco.</p><p><br></p><ul><li><p><strong>Website:</strong> <a href="https://www.zoepawlak.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.zoepawlak.com/</a></p></li><li><p><strong>Instagram:</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/zoepollock" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/zoepawlak/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/zoepawlak/</a></p></li><li><p><strong>Substack:</strong> <a href="https://zopawlak.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://zopawlak.substack.com/</a></p></li></ul><ul><li><strong>The Vessels &amp; Muses Oracle Deck: </strong><a href="https://www.zoepawlak-oracledeck.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.zoepawlak-oracledeck.com/</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Special Thanks to Our Sponsors</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>SILK &amp; SNOW</strong></p><p><strong>Better Materials, Thoughtfully Made</strong></p><p>Silk &amp; Snow is a Canadian home goods brand creating beautifully crafted pieces from high-quality, responsibly sourced materials — designed to elevate your everyday. From mattresses and modular sofas to bedding and décor, everything they make blends comfort, quality, and conscious design.</p><p>Visit<a href="https://www.silkandsnow.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> silkandsnow.com</a> or explore their stores across Canada.</p><ul><li><strong>Instagram:</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/silkandsnow" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> www.instagram.com/silkandsnow</a></li><li><strong>TikTok:</strong><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@silkandsnow" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong> </strong>www.tiktok.com/@silkandsnow</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW</strong></p><p>As Canada’s premier showcase of new products, superst