Pauline AKA PBehindTheArt shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Pauline, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
Every day looks a little different for me, and that’s what I love most about what I do. My mornings begin with a matcha or cacao, taking a quiet moment to myself lighting sage or palo santo before diving into emails and messages. When I don’t have to be somewhere early or meet a deadline, I use that time for movement like yoga, Pilates, strength training, and cardio, to center myself before diving into the day. From there, the flow shifts: some days I’m immersed in a mural or sketching new concepts, other days I’m painting canvases, creating custom art, or handcrafting pieces for a local hotel. I also work as a hairstylist, traveling to my clients instead of being anchored to a salon, which keeps my schedule fresh and flexible.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an artist and muralist based in California, creating work that bridges emotion, storytelling, and transformation. My art is rooted in connection. Whether that means sparking reflection within someone or bringing a community together through murals. Alongside my murals, I create canvas pieces, handcrafted goods, custom designs, and I’ve even published a children’s coloring book. I also work as a hairstylist, which adds another layer of creativity and connection to what I do. What makes my journey unique is its range, from large public walls to intimate, detailed works, all driven by the same purpose: to create meaningful art that inspires, uplifts, and unites people.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In the past few years, I went through a period of intense personal growth, grappling with anxiety and life changes that challenged how I saw myself, my work, and the world around me. That experience reshaped my perspective entirely, from how I interact with people, to what I value in life, to how I approach my art. I realized that if we don’t take the time to work on ourselves, prioritize our health, and honor our personal growth, everything else becomes secondary.
This journey also led me to a career shift, fully committing to my path as an artist. I’m gradually reducing my hours in the beauty industry to focus on building my art career, dedicating myself to murals, canvases, and community-focused projects.
The personal transformation I experienced inspired my collection, Metamorphosis: A Journey of Transformation Through Art. The concept was about a year in the making before I ever painted a single piece, reflecting the internal process of growth, release, and renewal. The collection consists of twelve pieces that serve as a visual step-by-step of that journey. While it represents my own path, it embodies a universal truth: transformation is rarely comfortable, but it is necessary. Through this work, I gained clarity about what truly matters, where to focus my energy, and the journey I want to continue exploring in both life and art.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
The past few years of navigating personal challenges pushed me to stop hiding my pain and start transforming it into power, a process I like to call alchemy. In my Metamorphosis collection, there’s a piece titled Resilience that reflects this journey: gaining strength and stability through life’s challenges. It’s not about avoiding hardship, but about growing through it. Resilience happens when we choose to stand back up, even when it feels impossible.
I don’t dwell on negativity; instead, I view life’s difficulties as lessons. We are all presented with challenges, and it’s up to each of us to either evolve or remain the same. While ups and downs are a normal part of life, I consciously choose to evolve each time, and that’s where the power lies, in connecting with our inner strength, stepping beyond our comfort zones, and discovering what we are truly capable of.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The project I am most committed to is myself, my growth, my evolution, and the journey of becoming who I am meant to be. My art career is central to that project: every mural I paint, every canvas I create, and every custom piece I design is an extension of my personal journey. Art allows me to process experiences, explore new perspectives, and transform challenges into expression. It’s both a reflection of my inner world and a tool for growth, guiding me through change while helping me connect with others.
I approach this commitment with patience and intention, knowing that meaningful transformation is rarely quick or linear. Each piece I create, each concept I bring to life, is part of a lifelong practice of learning, evolving, and pushing boundaries, both in my art and in myself. This is a project I am determined to see through, no matter how long it takes.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I spent about 15 years in the beauty industry as a hairstylist and makeup artist. While I loved that industry, over time I began to feel burnt out and disconnected, and something inside me felt off. I kept pushing through, thinking it was just a phase, but as I navigated personal challenges and started experiencing anxiety, I realized I needed to reevaluate both my life and my career. Admitting that the beauty industry was no longer the right path for me was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make.
A few years later, I returned to painting for fun, and I immediately noticed the positive impact it had on me, calming my mind, reducing stress, and reigniting a sense of purpose. Art is not something you chase; it finds you. I’ve been creating art since I was a child, but it wasn’t until recently that I decided to pursue it as a career. Through that process, I realized that my calling lies in creating art: bringing ideas to life, connecting with people, and using my work to inspire and transform. Choosing this path was about aligning with what I was born to do and committing to a career that nurtures both my creativity and my purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pbehindtheart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbehindtheart.com
- Other: https://linktr.ee/pbehindtheart
