At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Riya Jain for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Riya is a Wellness and Therapeutic Art Educator. Let’s learn more about her background, her inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Riya:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster—filled with twists, turns, and unexpected discoveries. I started as a fashion designer, specialized as a fashion stylist, delved into strategic digital marketing, and now, I’m on my way to becoming a certified guidance counsellor. For the longest time, I was on a relentless search for ‘the thing’ that truly fulfilled me, hopping from one pursuit to the next.
Looking back, I realize that I had been art journaling all my life without even knowing it was a concept. Sketching, scribbling thoughts, mixing colours with emotions—it was always my way of expressing myself. But it wasn’t until three years ago, when my life completely shook and dismantled, that I turned to it with intention. In the midst of that chaos, I started creating in my journals full-time—not for anyone, not for any purpose, but simply for myself.
I began sharing my work with the world with zero expectations by the name MIND FULL OF COLOURS. Then, a wonderful soul gave me the opportunity to teach, and that’s when everything clicked. Art journaling wasn’t just an outlet—it was transformative. It changed the way I saw myself, my experiences, and the world around me. It brought joy back into my life, and I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted others to experience this magic too. Because it works—it really, truly works!
At my core, I’ve always been drawn to creativity. But now, I understand that creativity isn’t just about making something beautiful—it’s about expression, connection, and healing. And that’s the journey I’m on today—helping others find their voice, their story, and their own kind of joy through art.
How did you discover your passion?
Honestly, it wasn’t really a discovery—art and journaling have always been a part of me. I’ve been putting my thoughts on paper for as long as I can remember, and whenever life threw lemons, I turned to creating something—anything. It’s just how I process things.
I’ve always loved art in all forms—not just in journals but everywhere. Whether it’s colours, textures, or even the way words flow on a page, creativity has always been my way of making sense of the world. I never sat down one day and realized this was my passion; it was just there, like second nature.
But when I started sharing my art journaling process and saw how deeply it resonated with others, that’s when it really hit me—this is something special, something worth spreading.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
Ah, it really is a tough, tough world! And honestly, I’m still learning—I always will be. I see myself as a student for life, constantly evolving and growing.
What keeps me going, even when things get hard, is the connection I build with people through art journaling. Sharing this beautiful way of releasing, understanding, and healing—without rules, without pressure, just through creating, talking, and expressing freely—is something that means the world to me.
And when I see people respond to it, when I hear them say that it helped them in some way, that is what fuels me. I feel the happiest when I know I’ve made a meaningful difference in someone’s life, even in the smallest way.
Lately, I’ve also become more spiritual, which has helped me stay grounded. It reminds me that there’s always more to learn, more to explore, and that everything—both the good and the difficult—is part of a bigger journey.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
I might sound a little brutal, but the first lesson I’ve learned is never to take people, places, or situations at face value. NEVER. Not everything is meant for you, and you’re not meant for everyone either—and that’s completely okay.
The second lesson is that if you don’t voice what makes you uncomfortable, you’ll be taken for granted. Speak up, always. Be graceful in the way you express yourself, but never suppress your feelings just to keep the peace.
The third lesson is that at the end of the day, we’re all part of a big, interconnected community. We need each other—to grow, to survive, and to truly live. It’s important to seek help when you need it and to offer it when you can.
And here’s a little bonus life lesson: Prioritize yourself. Love yourself. Do things just for you. Be a little selfish—not in a way that harms others, but in a way that keeps you happy. Because when you’re fulfilled, you bring your best self to the world.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
Success is such a subjective term—what it means to one person might be completely different for another. For me, success is internal happiness, and the key to achieving it is understanding what truly fulfills you and the emotions attached to it.
For example, I feel the most successful when the amazing people who join me on this creative journey walk away feeling lighter, happier, and more connected—to themselves and to me. If someone looks back and thinks, Hey! I spent a few days with Riya, and it was refreshing. I’d love to stay connected!—that, to me, is success.
Because when you create genuine connections, when people value what you bring into their lives, the rest naturally follows.
Along with art journaling, you also create beautiful Paper Embroidery pieces, which is quite unique! How did you get into it, and what do you love most about this art form?”
Coming from a fashion background, I’ve always had an affinity for embroidery. I love experimenting with different art forms, so one day, I decided to bring embroidery into my journals—onto paper. I had no idea how it would turn out, but the results amazed me!
I’ve been practising Paper Embroidery for over two years now, filling my journals with intricate stitches and patterns. It’s one of those art forms that feels almost meditative to me. It takes hours, sometimes days, to complete a piece, but when I sit with my thread, paper, and needle, I feel like I’m in another world—it’s blissful, meticulous, and deeply therapeutic.
Beyond that, I love doing things that feel unique and authentic, and Paper Embroidery checks all the right boxes for me. It has garnered quite a bit of attention, and I’ve realized that creativity is even more fulfilling when shared. So, I’m on my way to finally stop gatekeeping the process and start teaching it soon—I can’t wait to see others experience the same joy it brings me!
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
What makes my journey so exciting is that there’s always something new to try, to create, to explore—every single day. My room, my workspace, my world is filled with bright, vibrant colors, and that alone makes everything feel more alive and inspiring.
Science even backs this up—according to neuroscience, aesthetics play a powerful role in shaping our emotions and perceptions. Think about it: if you visit a beautifully designed café versus a plain, dull one, you’re more likely to leave the prettier café feeling a little happier (unless, of course, the food is really bad!). The way our surroundings look and feel influences our mood in ways we don’t always realize.
That’s why I love working with emotions in an aesthetic way—because the process itself is therapeutic, and the end result is always something meaningful.
But what truly makes this journey satisfying is the impact it has on others. When people tell me they’ve become happier, more carefree, that they’ve let go of their fear of perfection and are finally enjoying the creative process—it reminds me why I do what I do. Knowing that art journaling has helped someone feel lighter, freer, and more connected to themselves is the most fulfilling feeling in the world.
Our minds and hearts are like a canvas—filled with all kinds of emotions. Some are bright and happy, while others feel heavy and difficult. But in a world that constantly tells us to ‘just stay positive,’ we often forget that every emotion deserves to be felt.
Think about kids—they don’t hold back. When they’re happy, they laugh loudly; when they’re sad, they cry without hesitation. But as we grow up, we start filtering our emotions, pushing down anything that isn’t ‘positive.’ Mind Full of Colours is my way of reminding people that it’s okay to feel everything—joy, sadness, excitement, frustration—because that’s what makes us human.
Through art journaling, I help people express their emotions creatively, making space for every feeling instead of hiding it away. After all, what’s a beautiful painting without all its colours? What’s life without every shade of emotion?
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
