Artist Interview | Vasu Tolia

Introducing Vasu Tolia, a doctor-turned-artist based in the USA.

When it comes to your writing, explain what you do.

I am a physician-turned-artist who creates contemporary semi-abstract and abstract artworks that blend the structured precision of medicine with the emotive power of art. My vibrant acrylic and mixed-media paintings explore themes of healing, nature, and social consciousness. Through bold shapes, layered textures, and dynamic colours, I create visual stories that invite introspection and connection. Each piece reflects my dual journey as a healer and creator, offering solace and inspiration while advocating for causes close to my heart. Art has become not only my passion but a natural extension of my mission to nurture and transform through creative expression.

Why do you do what you do?

Art has become my second calling—a way to heal the spirit and explore the depths of human emotion. As a physician, I learned to mend physical wounds; as an artist, I seek to mend hearts and inspire minds. Painting is both a personal sanctuary and a powerful medium to connect with others. It allows me to reflect on life’s complexities and give back through creative expression. This dual perspective has enriched my journey, turning my art into a conduit for healing, storytelling, and advocacy.

What project are you working on now?

I am immersed in a series titled Between the Earth and the Sky, set to debut in April 2025. This collection delves into the space where terrestrial and celestial elements converge, symbolizing the balance between grounding and transcendence. Inspired by nature’s raw beauty and spiritual energy, I use textured backgrounds, translucent washes, and metallic accents to create works that shimmer with light and depth. Found materials like paper and thread enhance the tactile experience, bridging the tangible and intangible. This series embodies my ongoing exploration of boundaries, transformation, and the shared rhythm between humanity and the natural world.

How has your practice changed over time?

My artistic practice has evolved alongside my personal growth. Initially grounded in realism, I focused on detailed studies of women and wildlife, reflecting my structured medical training. Over time, I gravitated toward abstraction, embracing bold colours and organic forms to explore emotions and ideas. My Symphony of Sentiments series marked a turning point, using layered textures and dynamic compositions to depict emotional landscapes. Today, I incorporate unconventional tools like medical syringes to create unique textures, blending my medical past with artistic innovation. This evolution mirrors my shift from structured thinking to creative freedom, allowing intuition and experimentation to guide my work.

What’s the most indispensable item in your studio/practice?

My large soft brush and texture-creating tools are essential to my artistic vision. The brush enables me to create fluid, emotional strokes that echo the organic forms found in nature, while my texture tools add complexity and depth. These instruments allow me to build layered narratives within my work, creating surfaces that invite visual and tactile exploration, much like the multifaceted nature of human experience.

What is your strongest childhood memory?

Surviving a severe illness at eight years old profoundly shaped my view of resilience and healing. I remember the soothing touch of my parents, the cool cloth on my forehead, and the doctor’s calm reassurance. That week-long ordeal taught me the transformative power of love and care, lessons that now permeate my art. Whether through themes of strength, transformation, or interconnectedness, I often revisit this memory as a source of inspiration. It reminds me that healing is as much about emotional connection as physical recovery—a truth I carry into every brushstroke.

What superpower would you like to have and why?

If I could have a magic wand, I’d dream of being able to instantaneously translate the complexity of human emotion and experience into visual art—a sort of emotional-visual synesthesia. This power would allow me to capture the moments of human connection and understanding I witnessed as a physician, transforming them into immediate, raw artistic expressions. Such a gift would enable me to bridge the gap between internal vision and external creation, making the invisible visible through art.

What is your pet peeve about the art world?

The art world often prioritizes networking and institutional recognition over authenticity and creativity. This exclusivity can overshadow unique voices, particularly those with unconventional journeys. As someone who transitioned from medicine to art, I value spaces celebrating diverse perspectives and emphasizing art’s capacity to connect and heal. I advocate for more inclusive platforms that amplify originality and innovation.

What is your scariest experience?

A near-drowning incident in Morgan Lake, Michigan, during my medical residency fundamentally altered my perspective on life. After our canoe capsized in deep water—unable to swim—I went under three times before my husband managed to secure us to the overturned vessel. Those moments underwater—the play of light through the depths, the sensation of weightlessness followed by panic, and finally, the profound relief of survival—have influenced me in obvious and subtle ways. This second brush with mortality revealed both human vulnerability and the profound will to survive. The experience taught me how quickly life can change and how I am able to see beauty even in moments of fear. This incident increased my phobia of water, and I do not do too much work involving waterscapes. When I do, the occasional use of contrasting colours and textures expresses simultaneous feelings of anxiety and serenity. 

Describe a real-life experience that inspired you.

It happened while attending my first Pediatric Gastroenterology Conference in NYC marked a turning point in my professional development. Witnessing young colleagues present groundbreaking research awakened an insatiable hunger for knowledge and innovation that transcended my initial training. This transformative experience taught me that growth requires stepping beyond comfortable boundaries—a principle that now drives my artistic practice. The same passion for exploration and discovery that was ignited that day continues to push me toward new artistic techniques and thematic territories.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My mother’s wisdom, “Be yourself no matter what happens,” has been the guiding principle of my life.
This simple yet profound advice has encouraged me to maintain authenticity in my creative expression, even as I transitioned from a traditional medical career to pursuing visual art. Her words remind me that true innovation and meaningful contribution come from embracing one’s unique perspective and experiences.

What is your dream creative project?

My dream project, Ganesha: A Vehicle for Cross-Cultural Dialogue, reimagines the beloved deity through Western artistic traditions. By blending traditional Indian iconography with techniques inspired by Impressionism, Cubism, and Abstract Expressionism, I aim to create a series highlighting cultural fusion and environmental conservation. Each piece will feature elements like gold leaf and textured papers, bridging ancient symbols with contemporary practices. Through this series, I hope to foster conversations about inclusivity, spirituality, and the timeless relevance of art as a unifying force.

Which place in the world do you find to be the most inspiring?

Sedona, Arizona, is my favourite spiritual and creative sanctuary. The dramatic red rock formations rising against azure skies create a natural cathedral that speaks to both the artist and healer within me. The landscape’s unique energy and stark beauty provide endless inspiration, influencing my work’s colour palette and emotional resonance. While I may not directly reference Sedona’s iconic vistas in my art, its profound sense of peace and natural harmony infuses my creative process with a meditative quality that enhances my artistic expression.

Do you make a living off of your art?

While my art practice has evolved into a significant aspect of my professional life, I’ve maintained it as a platform for creative expression and charitable giving. A substantial portion of my sales supports various causes, allowing me to merge my roles as healer and artist meaningfully. This approach reflects my belief that art should serve both aesthetic and social purposes, creating beauty while contributing to the greater good. By itself, art has so far not been my bread and butter.

What are your hobbies?

Beyond painting, which started as a hobby before becoming a passion, I love listening to audiobooks, writing poetry and travelling. These activities provide fresh perspectives and narrative inspirations that enrich my artistic practice. Travel serves as both recreation and research, exposing me to diverse cultural perspectives and natural landscapes that I love to translate on canvas. These complementary pursuits create a synergy that enhances my artistic vision and technical execution.

Creatively, where do you see yourself in the next five years?

In five years, I envision my art featured in galleries worldwide and serving as a beacon of healing and inspiration. I plan to continue creating works that explore themes of transformation, nature, and identity while collaborating with artists and artisans to bridge cultural divides. My dream includes expanding my outreach through community workshops, installations in healthcare spaces, and talks highlighting art’s therapeutic potential. Through these efforts, I hope to inspire others to embrace creativity as a transformative force, regardless of their life stage or background.

Thank you, Vasu Tolia, for letting us peer into your creative journey. 

Vasu Tolia
Bloomfield Hills, USA
www.vasutolia.art