Most nights after dinner, Christina Morales gazes at a half-finished canvas, paintbrush in hand. In a small corner of her living room in Kauai, sprinkles of paint cover the dining table, an easel, the floor. Her husband and daughter pop in with words of encouragement but it’s her space to let go of the day, embrace the quiet, and give her mind a place to rest.
For the self-taught artist, painting is both a hobby and a vital source of self-care.
Christina Morales. Photo by Pristine Jacobsmeyer, Little Island Photographer
In 2023, after years of living with depression and anxiety, Morales reached a breaking point. With the support of her co-workers and family, she stepped away from work to focus on therapy and her healing.
Then, one day, a simple errand changed her life. Morales asked her husband to take her to buy art supplies. She began sketching with charcoal pencils, then watercolor, before finding acrylic painting. Without an art degree or instruction, she let the paintbrush be her guide.
“Mountains, oceans, palm trees, I painted whatever came to mind,” says Morales. “It was about showing up, being honest in what I was feeling, and allowing the process itself to be part of my healing.”
Hanalei Pier at sunset
Painting also taught her patience and self-compassion. “There have been many times when I start a painting, and it doesn’t turn out the way I imagined,” Morales says. “Instead of forcing it, I set it aside and come back to it later. Over time, that’s taught me something important – to give myself grace when I need it.”
By day, Morales works as an oncology patient navigator at Kauai Medical Clinic, guiding and supporting patients from the moment of diagnosis through survivorship. She helps identify and address any barriers they may face, whether physical, social, emotional, spiritual, financial, or practical, and advocates on their behalf. She has worked in oncology for the past 12 years and finds it deeply fulfilling.
“As an oncology patient navigator, it’s important to me to care for my patients and build real relationships with them and their families,” she says. Her job lets her see firsthand how much connection and compassion matter. “It’s a reminder that behind every diagnosis is a person with a story.”
Pono Market
The same intention guides her as an oncology patient navigator and as an artist – caring for others, including herself, and honoring their journeys.
At home in her quiet corner and armed with her paintbrushes, Morales releases whatever she’s feeling into her paintings.
“I’m fortunate to have found something to use as an outlet,” she says. “I hope people are able to find a sense of joy, whether it’s through their career, creative expression, or something they love doing.”
In just a few years, what began as a personal coping tool has grown into much more. Beyond her own intuitive painting, Morales creates commissioned pieces that honor Kauai’s and Hawaii’s history, personal stories, and memories – the Hokulea, a new business owner’s table featuring her wares, or an oncology patient surrounded by their family under a warm sun. Her paintings capture a snapshot in time, filled with pops of bright blues, pinks, purples, oranges, and especially greens, which she associates with healing and peace, colors that have become part of her natural style.
“Through my art, I hope to reflect compassion, resilience, and the spirit of the island that continues to shape both my life and my work,” she says.
Kauai's historic Hanalei Bridge
Morales is grateful to have the opportunity to create art for others, and ultimately, her message is one of hope. She encourages people to be patient with themselves, ask for help when they need it, and remember that we are our own home, deserving of understanding care, and love.
"Every day at work, I have the opportunity to become the best version of myself because of my manager, Carrie Hovland, R.N.,” says Morales. “Her guidance, leadership, and support continually inspire me to grow both professionally and personally. She creates an environment where I feel encouraged to learn, improve, and give my very best each day, and I’m truly grateful for the positive impact she has had on my career.”
For Morales, painting and healing isn’t about perfection. It’s about making space for yourself and trusting that over time, something beautiful will emerge.
For information about Christina Morales’s art, visit joyartistrystudio.com.
Original art by Christine Morales
Hero and thumbnail by Pristine Jacobsmeyer, Little Island Photographer
SU26F
