Sometimes, the most meaningful ideas grow quietly, out of difficult moments, creative rediscovery, and the simple need to feel grounded again. For local artist and muralist Sam Vienneau, that journey led to the creation of Work of Heart, a passion-driven art venture rooted in emotion, colour, and authenticity.
Sam’s artistic journey began during the height of COVID, a time when many people were searching for ways to stay busy, connected, and mentally well. Working from home while raising her children, she found herself craving something creative to focus on. That spark came through online paint-and-sip videos.
“I remember setting everything up, painting along, and just feeling so proud when I was done,” she says. “It felt incredible to create something. Seeing a finished piece gave me such a sense of accomplishment.”
That feeling quickly grew into a passion. Sam began experimenting with different mediums, incorporating sea glass, beads, wood, and natural elements into her work. A self-described “thrifty crafter,” she enjoys turning found or discarded materials into meaningful art as a way of transforming everyday items into something beautiful.
As life picked up again post-COVID, art briefly took a back seat as the pace of everyday responsibilities made it difficult to continue creating. But during a challenging personal period, she found her way back to painting as a form of healing.
“Creating became therapy,” she explains. “It gave me something to hold onto when things felt heavy. Even when I was down, I could look at what I’d made and say, ‘I created this.’”
That philosophy is at the core of Work of Heart, both the name and the mission. Her logo, which is two hands forming a heart, represents exactly how she approaches her work. Each piece is guided by intuition and emotion, and no two creations are ever the same.
The idea to move from canvas to walls came naturally. One day, while painting in her children’s playroom, Sam found herself painting colourful pencil crayons directly onto the wall. The experience felt different. Inspired, she shared the finished mural on Facebook. The response was immediate and encouraging, with dozens of likes and multiple people urging her to take the leap and start a business.
Since then, Sam has begun laying the groundwork to offer mural services professionally, investing in high-quality materials and refining her process. She’s especially excited about the potential of working with daycares, schools, and local businesses, but also loves creating calmer, more meditative pieces for spaces like spas and studios.
“My goal is simple,” she says. “I want to bring colour back into the community. The world feels gray sometimes. We need more authentic, expressive art.”
That’s it for another edition of the Northern Heat Report. The place you come to listen to the stories that haven’t been discovered yet.