On this week’s podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Abby Bolton, an intuitive contemporary painter and creative transformation guide who helps women gain clarity and create spaces that support their inner goals. Our conversation explored the power of art in personal growth, the importance of intentional spaces, and strategies for shifting from coping to thriving.
Transforming Spaces to Transform Lives
When I asked Abby about her approach to helping people transform their spaces, she emphasized the importance of starting with intention. She shared her process of having clients reflect on how they feel when entering a room and what energy they want to cultivate. Abby explained, “It’s sort of like getting some fresh eyes on… if you pick a room like your home office or your bedroom… stepping back and noticing when you walk in, how does it make you feel?” This simple yet powerful exercise can reveal areas for improvement and set the stage for meaningful change.
The High-Frequency Impact of Art
Abby highlighted the transformative power of art in our living and working spaces. She shared feedback from clients who experienced her paintings as “high frequency” or “high vibration,” noting how they can uplift entire spaces. One client, a social worker, placed Abby’s painting “Chakra Awakening” in her office, reporting that “it brings me light at work.” This underscores how intentionally chosen art can serve as a beacon of positivity, especially in demanding professional environments.
Embracing Creativity and Overcoming Self-Doubt
Our conversation touched on the common belief that creativity is reserved for a select few. Abby challenged this notion, sharing her experience with fluid art workshops: “I love just even the experience of people saying, ‘I don’t have a creative bone in my body,’ and then doing it and being like, ‘Oh my god. I love this, and I love what I made.'” This highlights the transformative power of engaging in creative activities, regardless of perceived artistic ability.
The Rooted and Rising Approach to Transformation
Abby introduced her “Rooted and Rising” framework, which she applies to both coaching and space design. This approach involves four key steps: Root, Reflect, Recalibrate, and Rise. She explained how this process helps individuals connect with their core values, assess their current situation, make necessary adjustments, and ultimately thrive. This holistic method demonstrates how personal growth and environmental changes can work hand-in-hand to create meaningful transformation.
Finding Light in Challenging Times
We discussed the importance of creating supportive environments, especially during difficult periods. Abby emphasized, “We really need our resilience right now… having a safe haven where we can recoup and recenter on our values and what matters most and, like, feel safe even if the world feels really unsafe and scary and uncertain, is so important.” This insight reminds us of the crucial role our immediate surroundings play in our mental and emotional wellbeing.
Key Takeaways
My conversation with Abby reinforced several valuable lessons for personal growth and creating uplifting spaces:
- Regularly assess how your environment makes you feel and align it with your intentions
- Choose art and decor that resonates with your personal goals and desired energy
- Don’t underestimate your creative potential – engaging in art can be transformative for anyone
- Apply the Rooted and Rising approach to both personal development and space design
- Create a safe haven at home to support resilience during challenging times
- Remember that small changes in your environment can lead to significant shifts in your mindset and wellbeing
The overall message is to intentionally shape our surroundings to support our inner growth and wellbeing. By creating spaces that uplift and inspire us, we can cultivate more joy, creativity, and resilience in our daily lives. Abby’s insights serve as a powerful reminder that our external environment can be a powerful tool in our journey towards personal transformation and living a more fulfilling life.
Learn more about Abby:
Abby Bolton, owner of Abby Bolton Arts, is an intuitive contemporary painter and creative transformation guide who creates uplifting art and spaces that feel as good as they look. Following her own holistic transformation from corporate change leadership consultant to studio artist and entrepreneur, her offerings now uniquely blend high-frequency abstract painting, intentional space design, and personal growth coaching. Drawing on 15 years in change leadership and training in human-centered design, she helps women gain clarity, create outer sanctuaries that support their inner goals, and shift from coping to shining. A Pittsburgh Magazine Women & Business and 40 Under 40 honoree, Abby brings a grounded yet inspiring approach to transformation that is as practical as it is soulful.
